PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN DALAM PEMAHAMAN KONSEP MENGGUNAKAN PENDEKATAN KONTEKSTUAL SISWA KELAS X PENGOLAHAN HASIL PERTANIAN (PHP) SEMESTER 1

Abstract

Abstract
This study aims to improve students’ learning outcomes in terms of students’
conceptualization ability, students’ understanding of the concepts of Plant Tissue
and Plant Morphology, effect size of learning, and students’ responses to learning
that applies the contextual approach emphasizing students’ role in learning. This
study was an action research study involving Year X students of PHP SMKN 1
Pandak, Bantul, Yogyakarta. This study consisted of Cycle I with the competency
standard of Plant Tissue and Cycle II with the competency standard of Plant
Morphology. The data on the conceptualization ability were collected through
observations and a written test, those on understanding of concepts through a
written test, values of the effect size and students’ reflection, and those on students’
responses to learning through a student questionnaire. The data were analyzed
using the descriptive technique. The results of the study showed that, based on
observations, the students’ conceptualization ability improved in all aspects,
including labeling objects, recording data, interpreting data, drawing conclusions,
and treating objects. In the conceptualization ability obtained from the written test,
more than 75% of the students had correct answers. The students’ understanding of
the concepts of Plant Tissue and Plant Morphology in the aspects of differentiating,
explaining, giving examples and drawing conclusions improved. The values of the
effect size describing the learning progress were relatively high, namely 2.58 in
Cycle I and 4.87 in Cycle II. The students’ responses to learning were good,
indicated by expressions such as useful, expected, free to express ideas,
challenging, satisfactory, making autonomous, enjoyable, and having enough time.
Keywords: concept understanding, contextual approach