Improving Students’ Application Ability Through Contextual Learning Approach in Students of Smp 8 Yogyakarta

Abstract

The results of observations at SMP 8 YOGYAKARTA, especially class III, show that learning science is a traditional approach. The teacher uses most of the available time to explain the subject matter. Students listen and take notes. Learning is also textual, the teacher reads the curriculum to find out the concepts that must be taught then the teacher reads a textbook about the concept and teaches it to students. In addition, the teacher in giving examples is not based on real experiences experienced by students but based on textbooks, so students are less able to apply the learning outcomes of aqidah morals in everyday life. This can be seen clearly during the discussion, students are indeed active in giving opinions or answering questions, but students argue and answer questions according to what is in the book or it can be said that the teaching and learning process is textual. As a result, the learning outcomes are memorized so that students cannot apply or apply science learning outcomes in everyday life as stated in the Class III 2013 curriculum. Applicative ability is one of the students' abilities in applying their learning outcomes at Bloom. taxonomy, including C3. (Cognitive-3, namely application), then the applicative ability is developed into five abilities which include 1) the ability to use scientific methods to solve moral problems, 2) the ability to apply concepts to solve other problems, 3) the ability to design/make simple technology, 4) the ability to produce simple products, 5) the ability to relate lessons to the field of work. With these five applicable abilities, students will get learning outcomes that are very useful for their lives now and in the future. Students' applicative abilities can be improved by changing the learning approach, textual learning patterns need to be replaced with contextual learning patterns. Contextual learning according to Duran Corebima (2003: 18) allows students to develop and apply their academic knowledge and skills in various school environments and outside of school, in order to solve problems in the form of simulations and in the form of real problems.