Effectiveness of Media-Assisted Inquiry Learning Models Interactive Flip Book to Improve Critical Thinking Undergraduate Students
Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of an inquiry-based learning model supported by interactive flipbook media in enhancing students' critical thinking skills (CTS) on the topic of optics. The research employed an experimental design with a repeated measures pre-test and post-test format, without a control group. The sample consisted of 40 fourth-semester students enrolled in the Optical Waves course during the 2024/2025 academic year. CTS was assessed using a standardized test instrument. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests, N-Gain analysis, effect size calculations, and independent t-tests. The findings indicate that the media-assisted inquiry learning model significantly improves students' CTS, as evidenced by: (1) a statistically significant increase in CTS scores; (2) N-Gain values falling within the medium to high range; (3) an effect size of 1.4, categorized as strong; and (4) consistent average N-Gain scores across classes at the 5% significance level. The study concludes that the use of interactive flipbook media within an inquiry-based framework is effective in fostering students' CTS.
Downloads
References
Al Mamun, M. A., & Lawrie, G. (2023). Student-content interactions: Exploring behavioural engagement with self-regulated inquiry-based online learning modules. Smart Learning Environments, 10(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-022-00221-x
Allison, J., & Pan, W. (2011). Implementing and evaluating the integration of critical thinking into problem based learning in environmental building. Journal for Education in the Built Environment, 6(2), 93–115. https://doi.org/10.11120/jebe.2011.06020093
Arifin, Z., Sukarmin, S., Saputro, S., & Kamari, A. (2025). The effect of inquiry-based learning on students’ critical thinking skills in science education: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 21(3), em2592. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/15988
Ashour, S., El-Refae, G. A., & Zaitoun, E. A. (2021). Post-pandemic higher education: Perspectives from university leaders and educational experts in the United Arab Emirates. Higher Education for the Future, 8(2), 219–238. https://doi.org/10.1177/23476311211007261
Aston, K. J. (2024). ‘Why is this hard, to have critical thinking?’ Exploring the factors affecting critical thinking with international higher education students. Active Learning in Higher Education, 25(3), 537–550. https://doi.org/10.1177/14697874231168341
Batlolona, J. R., Diantoro, M., Wartono, & Latifah, E. (2019). Creative thinking skills students in physics on solid material elasticity. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 16(1), 48–61. https://doi.org/10.12973/tused.10265a
Bonney, C. N. R., & Sternberg, R. R. J. (2016). Learning to think critically. In Handbook of research on learning and instruction. Routledge.
Chen, C.-J., Tsai, H.-J., Lee, M.-Y., Chen, Y.-C., & Huang, S.-M. (2023). Effects of a Moodle-based E-learning environment on E-collaborative learning, perceived satisfaction, and study achievement among nursing students: A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education Today, 130, 105921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105921
Dias-Oliveira, E., Pasion, R., Vieira da Cunha, R., & Lima Coelho, S. (2024). The development of critical thinking, team working, and communication skills in a business school–A project-based learning approach. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 54, 101680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2024.101680
Facione, P. A. (2011). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. The California Academic Press.
Hake, R. R. (1998). Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: A six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses. American Journal of Physics, 66(1), 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.18809
Halpern, D. F. (2013). Thought and knowledge: An introduction to critical thinking. The California Academic Press.
Hartomo, R. M., & Sukmawati, W. (2024). The effect of digital flipbook media on improving science literacy on human digestive system materials among elementary school students. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(9), 6260–6270. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i9.7994
Hasibuan, S., Kasih, I., Daulay, D. E., Sinulingga, A., & Fahrian, M. A. (2024). Development of flip book-based learning media for sports physiology in physical education students at university. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i2.4053
Hasyim, F., Prastowo, T., & Jatmiko, B. (2024). Critical thinking-independent learning: A model of learning to improve students’ critical thinking skills. European Journal of Educational Research, 13(2), 747–762. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.13.2.747
Herianto, Wilujeng, I., & Lestari, D. P. (2022). Effect of interactive multimedia e-books on lower-secondary school students’ curiosity in a science course. Education and Information Technologies, 27(7), 9619–9639. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11005-8
Ho, Y.-R., Chen, B.-Y., Li, C.-M., & Chai, E. G.-Y. (2023). The distance between the humanities and medicine: Building a critical thinking mindset by interdisciplinary dialogue through mind mapping. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 50, 101420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101420
Khasawneh, E., Hodge-Zickerman, A., York, C. S., Smith, T. J., & Mayall, H. (2023). Examining the effect of inquiry-based learning versus traditional lecture-based learning on students’ achievement in college algebra. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 18(1), em0724. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12715
Kitot, A. K. A., Ahmad, A. R., & Seman, A. A. (2010). The effectiveness of inquiry teaching in enhancing students’ critical thinking. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 7, 264–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.10.037
Kong, S. C. (2014). Developing information literacy and critical thinking skills through domain knowledge learning in digital classrooms: An experience of practicing flipped classroom strategy. Computers & Education, 78, 160–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.05.009
Kristianto, J. V., Hunaifi, A. A., & Santi, N. N. (2023). Development of smartbook learning media fictional story material based on East Java folk stories for class 4 primary school students. Jurnal Eduscience, 10(3), 755–767. https://doi.org/10.36987/jes.v10i3.4745
Liu, Y. (2023). Matches and mismatches between university teachers’ and students’ perceptions of E-learning: A qualitative study in China. Heliyon, 9(6), e17496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17496
Liu, Z. (2021). Sociological perspectives on artificial intelligence: A typological reading. Sociology Compass, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12851
Lu, D. (2021). Students’ perceptions of a blended learning environment to promote critical thinking. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696845
Marisda, D. H., Tolla, I., & Arsyad, M. (2025). Developing and validating an interactive flipbook E-book to foster critical thinking in modern physics education. TWIST, 20(1), 279–288. https://doi.org/10.5281/twist.10049652#381
Masyitha, D., Suyanta, S., Jumadi, J., & Maghfiroh, S. (2023). Development of flipbook-assisted practical guide on measurement physics materials to increase junior high school student learning motivation. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(1), 31–35. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i1.1732
Meirbekov, A., Maslova, I., & Gallyamova, Z. (2022). Digital education tools for critical thinking development. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 44, 101023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101023
Mulnix, J. W. (2012). Thinking critically about critical thinking. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 44(5), 464–479. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-5812.2010.00673.x
Muthmainnah, Ibna Seraj, P. M., & Oteir, I. (2022). Playing with AI to investigate human-computer interaction technology and improving critical thinking skills to pursue 21st century age. Education Research International, 2022, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6468995
Nisa, E. K., Koestiari, T., Habibbulloh, M., & Jatmiko, B. (2018). Effectiveness of guided inquiry learning model to improve students’ critical thinking skills at senior high school. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 012049.
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A., Mong, I. K., Nwosu, H. E., Kanu, C., & Ojemuyide, C. C. (2022). Enhancing students’ critical thinking skills through engagement with innovative pedagogical practices in Global South. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(4), 1184–1198. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1896482
Parra-Pérez, L. G., Valdés-Cuervo, A. A., Urias-Murrieta, M., & Addo, R. (2024). Mexican college students’ perspectives on teaching practice and critical thinking development. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2385866
Putra, P. D. A., Sulaeman, N. F., Supeno, & Wahyuni, S. (2023). Exploring students’ critical thinking skills using the engineering design process in a physics classroom. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 32(1), 141–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-021-00640-3
Putri, D. R., & Wulandari, D. (2025). Development of smart book media based on guided inquiry to improve IPAS learning outcomes. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 11(3), 206–215. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i3.10715
Rahmadani, E. (2024). Innovation of flipbook teaching materials in supporting student learning independence. Elementary School Forum (Mimbar Sekolah Dasar), 11(1), 176–189. https://doi.org/10.53400/mimbar-sd.v11i1.61620
Rivas, S. F., Saiz, C., & Ossa, C. (2022). Metacognitive strategies and development of critical thinking in higher education. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.913219
Ruiz-Rojas, L. I., Acosta-Vargas, P., De-Moreta-Llovet, J., & Gonzalez-Rodriguez, M. (2023). Empowering education with generative artificial intelligence tools: Approach with an instructional design matrix. Sustainability, 15(15), 11524. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511524
Saad, A., Elbashir, A., Abdou, R., Alkhair, S., Ali, R., Parangusan, H., Ahmad, Z., & Al-Thani, N. J. (2024). Exploring of the gender variations in 4C skills among primary students. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 52, 101510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2024.101510
Sari, I. P., Rohmani, R., & Nisa’, K. (2024). Analysis of the effectiveness of using flipbook-based E-modules in science learning in elementary schools. IJORER: International Journal of Recent Educational Research, 5(6), 1367–1382. https://doi.org/10.46245/ijorer.v5i6.615
Sasson Lazovsky, G., Raz, T., & Kenett, Y. N. (2025). The art of creative inquiry—From question asking to prompt engineering. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 59(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.671
Suriano, R., Plebe, A., Acciai, A., & Fabio, R. A. (2025). Student interaction with ChatGPT can promote complex critical thinking skills. Learning and Instruction, 95, 102011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.102011
Tuma, F. (2021). The use of educational technology for interactive teaching in lectures. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 62, 231–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2021.01.051
Usmeldi, Amini, R., & Trisna, S. (2017). The development of research-based learning model with science, environment, technology, and society approaches to improve critical thinking of students. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 6(2), 318–325. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v6i2.10680
Wale, B. D., & Bogale, Y. N. (2021). Using inquiry-based writing instruction to develop students’ academic writing skills. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 6(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-020-00108-9
Wang, T., Ramdeo, J., & McLaughlin, C. (2021). Experiencing and experimenting: An exploration of teacher agency in an international collaborative teacher professional development programme using experiential learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 104, 103389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103389
Yonwong, P., Thongsuk, T., & Hemtasin, C. (2024). Creativity development of secondary school students using four thinking activities blended inquiry-based learning. International Journal of Instruction, 17(1), 579–598. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2024.17130a
Copyright (c) 2025 Studies in Learning and Teaching

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










