Enhancing Cognitive Ability in Physics Learning by Implanting Argumentation Activity on Inquiry Lab
Siswanto (a*), Yusiran (b), B. Subali (c), Hartono (c), S. Gumilar (d), L. Utami (e), A. Amiruddin (e), Ahmad Muhlisin (a), E. Juliyanto (a), E. Trisnowati (a)

(a) Department of Natural Science Education, Universitas Tidar, Magelang, Indonesia
*siswanto[at]untidar.ac.id
(b) Department of Physic Education, STKIP Taman Siswa Bima, Bima, Indonesia
(c) Department of Physic, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
(d) Department of Primary Teacher of Education, STKIP 11 April Sumedang, Indonesia
(e) Departmen of Computer Engineering, STMIK AKBA, Makasar, Indonesia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to acquire depiction of cognitive ability enhancement which the laboratory activities based inquiry implanted argumentation activities was conducted as main process in the classroom activities. A quasi experiment method with non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest was carried out to implement this treatment. The participants of this study were students grade XI in one of public senior high schools in Bima, Indonesia. They were divided into two groups, experimental and control group, using purposive sampling. Experimental group was provided great opportunities to conduct laboratory activities based inquiry implanted argumentation activities while control group uses laboratory activities based inquiry. In order to recognize the cognitive ability of students, an instrument was developed in form of multiple choices. This study revealed that the mean difference of two groups was significantly different which cognitive ability of experimental group was higher than this control group and was in intermediate category from normalized gain perspective. From this findings, implanting argumentation activities on inquiry lab played prominent role in constructing model and theory of knowledge for students in enhancing their cognitive abilities.

Keywords: cognitive ability, inquiry laboratory, argumentation activity, laboratory activity

Topic: Physics Education