Application of Problem Based Learning Model to Increase Learning Activities and Critical Thinking Skills

The purpose of this study is to improve learning activities and skills of critical thinking through the implementation of learning models based on problems in fourth-grade students. This is a classroom action research conducted in two cycles. The subjects were 34 students of grade IV of primary school. Data was obtained from the observation and test. Data analysis technique used is descriptive quantitative. The finding of the research analysis indicates that learning through the application problem-based learning model can increase the learners' activity and critical thinking skills. The average percentage of students' activity in the first cycle was 70.15%, increased in cycle II by 80.00%. Likewise, the average percentage of critical thinking skills of learners in the first cycle was 70.59% increase in cycle II by 78.31%.