IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENT COMPETENCY IN PHYSICS USING PREDICT-OBSERVE-EXPLAIN-WRITE (POEW) LEARNING MODEL AT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

The problem of low achievement of physics concept at SMA Negeri 1 Berastagi was observed due to unsuitable teaching and learning process. The purpose of this research is to know the influence of Predict-Observe-Explain-Write (POEW) learning model to student learning achievement and criticalthinking about static fluid concept. We conducted quasi experimental research using experimental class and control class. The population is all students of class XI IP A SMA Negeri 1 Berastagi of Academic Year 2011/2012, consist of 5 classes. Experiment class was teach using POEW learning model and control class using conventional teaching and learning. Research data were collected using test and observation sheet. Analysis of postest data in experiment class shows that student concept mastery score is 68.37 and critical thinking skill is 74.97, whereas the postest data in control class shows average score of 60.25 for concept mastery and 73.05 for critical thinking skill. Using t-test for concept mastery, the tcount < ttable, means that H0 is accepted. This result shows that student learning achievement is better using POEW learning model. We also found student critical thinking skill is also improve using the model.