PEMANFAATAN LINGKUNGAN SEKITAR SEBAGAI SUMBER BELAJAR TERHADAP PENGUASAAN KONSEP DAN BERPIKIR KREATIF PADA PEMBELAJARAN TEMATIK INTEGRATIF SISWA KELAS IV SD KABUPATEN SIKKA

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of using the surrounding environment as a learning resource on concept mastery and creative thinking among fourth-grade students in Sikka Regency. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group was applied. The population included all fourth-grade students in the area, with SDK Maumere I serving as the control group receiving traditional teacher-centered instruction, and SDK Maumere III as the experimental group using the environment as a learning resource. Samples were selected through simple random sampling. Research instruments included tests measuring creative thinking and concept mastery. Data were analyzed for homogeneity using Box’s M test and for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov method. Hypotheses were tested using independent sample t-tests for univariate mean differences and MANOVA with Hotelling T² for multivariate effects. Results indicated that environmental-based learning significantly improved concept mastery (p = 0.000), enhanced creative thinking (p = 0.037), and positively affected both outcomes simultaneously (p = 0.000). The findings suggest that integrating the environment into thematic learning can effectively promote both conceptual understanding and creative skills in elementary students.