From fun to insight: Problem-based learning with wordwall e-worksheets to enhance critical thinking and learning engagement in ecosystem topics

Critical thinking skills are increasingly vital in contemporary education, yet effective strategies to foster them remain underexplored. This study addressed this gap by examining the impact of problem-based learning supported by digital worksheets developed with an interactive platform on junior high school students’ critical thinking skills and learning activities in the context of ecosystem topics. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design was applied, using cluster random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, observations, tests, and documentation. Findings revealed that the experimental group demonstrated greater improvement in both critical thinking skills and learning engagement compared to the control group, with statistical analyses confirming significant differences between groups. The results indicate that integrating problem-based learning with interactive e-worksheets can enhance both cognitive and participatory aspects of learning. This approach offers a practical model for enriching science education and promoting higher-order thinking skills in secondary education.