Implementation of Talking Stick Method to Increase the Learning Activity of Class VIII Students in Social Studies Subjects

This study was motivated by the low learning activeness of VIII grade students in social studies subjects at MTs Plus Nurul Ilmi, such as the lack of students paying attention when the teacher explains and students who are sleepy during learning. To overcome this, the talking stick method was applied to increase student learning activeness. The purpose of this study was to determine the process of applying the talking stick method and the extent to which this method can increase student learning activeness. This research used Classroom Action Research (PTK) method conducted in two cycles referring to Dameria Sinaga's research design. The subjects in this study were VIII grade students with a total of 17 students. Data collection techniques in this study include observation, interviews, and documentation. The results showed an increase in student learning activeness from 35.5% in the first meeting to 52.9% in the second meeting (cycle I), then increased to 58.8% in the third meeting and 76.5% in the fourth meeting (cycle II). Thus, it can be concluded that the talking stick method is effective in increasing the learning activeness of VIII grade students in social studies subjects at MTs Plus Nurul Ilmi.