Biocaster : Jurnal Kajian Biologi
Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026): July

The Effect of the Problem Based Learning Model on Students’ Communication Skills and Learning Outcomes in Ecosystem Material

Ayu Andira Hasibuan (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Medan, William Iskandar Ps. V Street, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera 20221, Indonesia)
Marlinda Nilan Sari Rangkuti (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Medan, William Iskandar Ps. V Street, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera 20221, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
22 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of the problem-based learning model on students' communication skills and cognitive learning outcomes regarding the topic of ecosystems at SMA Negeri 1 Kualuh Leidong. A quasi-experimental design specifically a pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design was employed, involving 72 students from two classes selected via random sampling. The experimental class utilized the problem-based learning model, while the control class underwent conventional instruction. Communication skills were measured using observation sheets, and cognitive learning outcomes were assessed through multiple-choice tests. The results indicate that the experimental class achieved an average communication skill score of 87.67% (categorized as highly skilled), which was significantly higher than the control class's score of 55.44% (categorized as skilled). Cognitive learning outcomes also showed significant improvement; the experimental class achieved an N-gain score of 0.75 (high category), compared to 0.47 (medium category) for the control class. Mann-Whitney U test results indicate that the problem-based learning model significantly influences communication skills, while Independent Sample t-test results show that problem-based learning significantly affects biology learning outcomes regarding the topic of ecosystems. This study demonstrates that problem-based learning is an effective instructional model for developing students' communication skills and enhancing their biology learning outcomes, particularly concerning the ecosystem topic.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

biocaster

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Education Immunology & microbiology

Description

Biocaster : Jurnal Kajian Biologi (B : JKB), focus to bridge the gap between research and practice, providing information, ideas and opinion, in addition to critical examinations of advances in biology research, teaching, and learning. Through the coverage of policy and curriculum developments, the ...