Effectiveness of Project-based Learning Model to Improve Students' Cognitive Skills

Abstract

This study aims to describe the use of project-based learning model to improve students’ cognitive skills after participating in the project-based learning process. This study employed a quantitative approach using experimental method. The design used in this study was non-equivalent control group design. This study was conducted at SD A, SD B, and SD C Cirebon with 105 fourth graders as the research subjects. The subjects, consisting of 72 students in the experiment group and 33 students in the control group, were selected using simple random sampling technique. The instrument used was test in the form of pretest and posttest. Students' cognitive skills were measured based on the improvement in students’ learning outcomes by comparing the result of pretest and posttest. From the result, it can be concluded that project-based learning can improve students’ cognitive skills of four graders for animal life cycle lesson. The average learning outcomes increase from sufficient to good category. Classical learning mastery increases from less good to excellent category.