Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Mindfulness Oriented Biology Learning Models

Supriyadi Supriyadi*, Dina Maulina, Ismi Rakhmawati

Abstract


The development of critical thinking skills (CTS) is essential for students to succeed in biology learning. This study investigates the effectiveness of mindfulness-oriented learning models in fostering CTS among high school biology students. Employing a quasi-experimental design, two groups of students participated in biology lessons: the experimental group engaged in mindfulness-based activities integrated into the curriculum, while the control group received conventional instruction. Data was collected using standardized CTS assessments and student reflection journals. The findings indicate that students exposed to mindfulness-oriented learning models demonstrated significant improvements in CTS compared to those in the control group. The integration of mindfulness practices not only enhanced students’ analytical and evaluative abilities but also promoted greater engagement and self-awareness during biology learning. These results suggest that mindfulness-oriented models hold promise as innovative pedagogical approaches for advancing CTS in biology education. Implications for curriculum design and future research directions are discussed

Keywords


Critical thinking, higher-order thinking skills, mindfulness-oriented learning model

Full Text:

PDF

References


Anwar, Y.A.S., & Muti’ah, M. (2022). Exploration of Critical Thinking and Self‐Regulated Learning in Online Learning During the Covid‐19 Pandemic. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 50(5), 502–509. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21655

Bishop, S.R. (2004). Mindfulness: A Proposed Operational Definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11(3), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy/bph077

Bockmann, J.O., & Yu, S.Y. (2023). Using Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Support Self-regulation in Young Children: A Review of the Literature. Early Childhood Education Journal, 51(4), 693–703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01333-2

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Calderone, A., Latella, D., Impellizzeri, F., De Pasquale, P., Famà, F., Quartarone, A., & Calabrò, R.S. (2024). Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines, 12(11), 2613. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12112613

Cardona, M.A., Rodríguez, R.J., & Ishmael, K. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. https://tech.ed.gov

Chen, D. (2023). Toward an understanding of 21st-century skills: From a Systematic Review. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 23(2), 275–294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-021-09511-1

Coombes, S.A., Higgins, T., Gamble, K.M., Cauraugh, J.H., & Janelle, C.M. (2009). Attentional Control Theory: Anxiety, Emotion, and Motor Planning. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(8), 1072–1079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.07.009

Correll, J., Mellinger, C., McClelland, G.H., & Judd, C.M. (2020). Avoid Cohen’s ‘Small’, ‘Medium’, and ‘Large’ for Power Analysis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 24(3), 200–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2019.12.009

Creswell, J.W., & Creswell, J.D. (2023). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Sixth edition). Thousand Oaks, California:SAGE

Deep, P.D., Chen, Y., Ghosh, N., & Basith, I.I. (2025). The Impact of Integrating Mindfulness in the Classroom on Well-Being and Academic Success Among College Students During Covid-19 and Beyond. Social Sciences, 14(4), 218. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14040218

Ellianawati, E., Subali, B., Putra, B.R., Wahyuni, S., Dwijananti, P., Adhi, M.A., & Yusof, M. M.M. (2025). Critical Thinking and Creativity in STEAM-based Collaborative Learning on Renewable Energy Issues. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 19(1), 112–119. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21638

Evans, J.St.B.T. (2011). Dual-Process Theories of Reasoning: Contemporary Issues and Developmental Applications. Developmental Review, 31(2–3), 86–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2011.07.007

Ewell, S.N., Driessen, E.P., Grogan, W., Johnston, Q., Ferdous, S., Mehari, Y., Peart, A., Seibenhener, M., & Ballen, C.J. (2023). A Comparison of Study Behaviors and Metacognitive Evaluation Used by Biology Students. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 22(4). https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.22-11-0225

Facione, P.A. (2011). Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts. Critical Thinking, 31 Millbrae, CA: Insight Assessment.

Flook, L., Hirshberg, M.J., Gustafson, L., McGehee, C., Knoeppel, C., Tello, L. Y., Bolt, D. M., & Davidson, R.J. (2025). Mindfulness Training Enhances Students’ Executive Functioning and Social Emotional Skills. Applied Developmental Science, 29(2), 141–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2023.2297026

Fraenkel, J., Wallen, N., & Hyun, H. (2023). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education (Eleventh edition. International Student Edition). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education

García-Carmona, A. (2025). Scientific Thinking and Critical Thinking in Science Education: Two Distinct but Symbiotically Related Intellectual Processes. Science & Education, 34(1), 227–245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-023-00460-5

Golubickis, M., Tan, L.B.G., Jalalian, P., Falbén, J.K., & Macrae, N.C. (2024). Brief Mindfulness-based Meditation Enhances the Speed of Learning Following Positive Prediction Errors. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 77(11), 2312–2324. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218241228859

Khafah, F., Suprapto, P.K., & Nuryadin, E. (2023). The Effect of Project-based Learning Model on Students’ Critical and Creative Thinking Skills in the Ecosystem Concept. JPBI (Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi Indonesia), 9(3), 244–255. https://doi.org/10.22219/jpbi.v9i3.27461

Kim, A.M., Speed, C.J., & Macaulay, J.O. (2019). Barriers and Strategies: Implementing Active Learning in Biomedical Science Lectures. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 47(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21190

Lasmana, O., Festiyed, F., Razak, A., & Fadilah, M. (2024). Design of Project-Based Critical Thinking Skills Assessment Instrument for Class X High School Students on Climate Change Materials. Eduvest - Journal of Universal Studies, 4(10), 8571–8579. https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v4i10.1446

Lee, W., McCaw, C.T., & Van Dam, N.T. (2024). Mindfulness in Education: Critical Debates and Pragmatic Considerations. British Educational Research Journal, 50(4), 2111–2130. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3998

Mrazek, M.D., Phillips, D.T., Franklin, M.S., Broadway, J.M., & Schooler, J.W. (2013). Young and Restless: Validation of the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) Reveals Disruptive Impact of Mind-Wandering for Youth. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 560. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00560

Nuri, A.R.U., Sajidan, S., & Ramli, M. (2021). The Trend of Critical Thinking Studies in Biology Education through Online Learning: A Systematic Review. Bioedukasi: Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi, 14(2), 91-97. https://doi.org/10.20961/bioedukasi-uns.v14i2.52079

Panitz, D.Y., Mendelsohn, A., Cabral, J., & Berkovich-Ohana, A. (2025). Long-term Mindfulness Meditation Increases Occurrence of Sensory and Attention Brain States. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2024.1482353

Phan, M.L., Renshaw, T.L., Caramanico, J., Greeson, J.M., MacKenzie, E., Atkinson-Diaz, Z., Doppelt, N., Tai, H., Mandell, D.S., & Nuske, H.J. (2022). Mindfulness-based School Interventions: A Systematic Review of Outcome Evidence Quality by Study Design. Mindfulness, 13(7), 1591–1613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01885-9

Pickerell, L.E., Pennington, K., Cartledge, C., Miller, K.A., & Curtis, F. (2023). The Effectiveness of School-based Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Programmes to Improve Emotional Regulation in 7–12-Year-Olds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mindfulness, 14(5), 1068–1087. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02131-6

Ramadhani, W.S., Azizah, U., & Nasrudin, H. (2024). Project-based Learning on Critical Thinking Skills in Science Learning: Meta-analysis. SAR Journal - Science and Research, 7(2), 136–142. https://doi.org/10.18421/sar72-10

Ratnayake, A., Bansal, A., Wong, N., Saseetharan, T., Prompiengchai, S., Jenne, A., Thiagavel, J., & Ashok, A. (2024). All “Wrapped” Up in Reflection: Supporting Metacognitive Awareness to Promote Students’ Self-Regulated Learning. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 25(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00103-23

Reed, I.K.G., Kraczkowski, M.L., & Pearlman, S.J. (2024). Developing Critical Thinking in Biology Through Progressive Writing Assignments. Journal of College Science Teaching, 53(6), 563–572. https://doi.org/10.1080/0047231x.2024.2390298

Remskar, M., Western, M.J., & Ainsworth, B. (2024). Mindfulness Improves Psychological Health and Supports Health Behaviour Cognitions: Evidence from a Pragmatic RCT of a Digital Mindfulness‐based Intervention. British Journal of Health Psychology, 29(4), 1031-1048 https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12745

Reyna, J., Ariza, M.R., & Quesada Armenteros, A. (2025). Navigating the Complexities of Science Education: Challages and Opportunities. INTED Proceedings, 1, 205–215. https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2025.0087

Sari, M., Setiadi, G., & Rondhi, W.S. (2024). Effectiveness of Using Demonstration and Experiment Methods on Learning Outcomes. Uniglobal Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3, 96–101. https://doi.org/10.53797/ujssh.v3i1.14.2024

Sheinman, N., & Russo-Netzer, P. (2021). Mindfulness in Education: Insights Towards an Integrative Paradigm. In The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Education (pp. 609–642). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64537-3_24

Sternod, L., & French, B. (2016). Test Review: Watson, G., & Glaser, E.M. (2010). Watson-GlaserTM II Critical Thinking Appraisal. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 34(6), 607–611. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282915622855

Sujatmika, S., Masykuri, M., Prayitno, B.A., & Sutarno, S. (2024). Fostering Critical Thinking in Science Education: Exploring Effective Pedagogical Models. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 11(7), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2024.07.016

Sullivan, J.V. (2018). Learning and Embodied Cognition: A Review and Proposal. Psychology Learning & Teaching, 17(2), 128–143. https://doi.org/10.1177/1475725717752550

Sweller, J., Van Merriënboer, J.J.G., & Paas, F. (2019). Cognitive Architecture and Instructional Design: 20 Years Later. Educational Psychology Review, 31(2), 261–292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09465-5

Tafakur, T., Retnawati, H., & Shukri, A.A.M. (2023). Effectiveness of Project-based Learning for Enhancing Students Critical Thinking Skills: A Meta-Analysis. JINoP (Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran), 9(2), 191–209. https://doi.org/10.22219/jinop.v9i2.22142

Tan, A.J.Y., Davies, J.L., Nicolson, R.I., & Karaminis, T. (2023). Learning Critical Thinking Skills Online: Can Precision Teaching Help? Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(3), 1275–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10227-y

Treves, I.N., Greene, K.D., Bajwa, Z., Wool, E., Kim, N., Bauer, C.C.C., Bloom, P.A., Pagliaccio, D., Zhang, J., Whitfield-Gabrieli, S., & Auerbach, R.P. (2024). Mindfulness-based Neurofeedback: A Systematic Review of EEG and fMRI Studies. Imaging Neuroscience, 2, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00396

Triyanto, S.A., Wahidin, W., Hartania, N., Solihat, A., & Sutrisno, S. (2022). Blended-Problem based Learning with Integrated Social Media-based Learning Media in Improving Students’ Critical Thinking Skills. Biosfer, 15(2), 242–254. https://doi.org/10.21009/biosferjpb.25792

Vincent-Lancrin, S. (2024). Critical thinking. In F. Darbellay (Ed.), Elgar Encyclopedia of Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity (pp. 124–128). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035317967.ch27

Vygotsky, L.S. (1980). Mind in Society: Development of Higher Psychological Processes (M. Cole, V. Jolm-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman, Eds.). Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvjf9vz4

Zeitlhofer, I., Hörmann, S., Mann, B., Hallinger, K., & Zumbach, J. (2023). Effects of Cognitive and Metacognitive Prompts on Learning Performance in Digital Learning Environments. Knowledge, 3(2), 277–292. https://doi.org/10.3390/knowledge3020019

Zha, S., Bragdon, M.M., Gong, N., Wang, J., Leavesley, S., Eaton, R., & Bosarge, E. (2025). A Case Study of Integrating AI Literacy Education in a Biology Class. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 35, 4768. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-025-00476-8

Zimmerman, B.J. (1990). Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: An Overview. Educational Psychologist, 25(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep2501_2

Zimmerman, M.A. (1995). Psychological Empowerment: Issues and Illustrations. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 581–599. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02506983

Zulmaulida, R., Wahyudin, & Dahlan, J.A. (2018). Watson-Glaser’s Critical Thinking Skills. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1028, 012094. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1028/1/012094




DOI: https://doi.org/10.24815/jpsi.v13i4.47906

Article Metrics

Abstract view : 57 times
PDF - 28 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Supriyadi Supriyadi, Dina Maulina, Ismi Rakhmawati

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Science Education) © 2013 by JPSI is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Science Education)

ISSN 2338-4379  (print) | 2615-840X (online)
Organized by Universitas Syiah Kuala 
Published by Master of Science Education Study Program Graduate School Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Website : http://jurnal.usk.ac.id/jpsi
Email     : jpsi@usk.ac.id