Implementation of the Critical Thinking Method in Revealing Students' Reflective Abilities in Islamic Religious Education Lessons at the Junior High School Level

Abstract

Critical and reflective thinking skills are essential competencies for students to face the challenges of globalization and the development of information technology. Data collection techniques were conducted through interviews and documentation, and analysis using the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, with triangulation of sources and techniques to test data validity.
The results of the study indicate that the implementation of critical thinking methods in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning still faces various obstacles, such as the dominance of conventional methods and a lack of teacher training. However, in educational units that have implemented critical thinking-based learning models such as Problem-Based Learning, Think-Talk-Write, and Project-Based Learning, significant improvements were found in student active participation and analytical skills. Furthermore, these methods also have a positive impact on strengthening students' reflective abilities, particularly in the appreciation of religious values ​​and moral awareness. These findings confirm that integrating critical thinking methods into Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning can be an effective strategy for developing students who are religious, critical, and contextual in their understanding of Islamic teachings.