Developing Learning Materials Based on PBL to Improve Mathematical Critical Thinking Skills and Self Efficacy of JHS Students at Besitang Small Town

This research is a research development of teaching materials based on Problem-based Learning (PBL) to improve mathematical critical thinking skills (MCTS) and self-efficacy of 8th-grade students. The teaching materials were designed so that they meet the valid, practical, and effective criteria. This research was conducted at junior high school (JHS) (SMPN 1) located in the small town of Besitang, Indonesia. The subject of the research is 34 students. The first step of this study is to analyze the level of validity, practicality, and effectiveness of problem-based teaching materials in improving students' mathematical critical thinking skills and self-efficacy. The findings of this study are: (1) PBL-based teaching materials have fulfilled valid, practical, and effective criteria in improving students' mathematical critical thinking skills and self-efficacy, (2) Improving mathematical critical thinking skills obtaining an N-gain score of 0.45, meaning that the increase is included in the category of "medium", (3) Improvement of students' self-efficacy is also included in the category of 'medium'. Thus, this research has produced problem-based teaching materials that are useful for schools in small towns, where its teachers still need to be convinced to implement teaching material innovations that can improve the capabilities of their students in solving mathematical problems and increasing self-efficacy.