IMPROVING STUDENT'S CRITICAL THINKING ABILITY BY USING MIND MAPPING IN UNDERSTANDING ENGLISH READING

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to determine the use of mind mapping techniques in helping and improving students' ability to understand English texts critically and analytically, the methods used in the procedures for implementing mind mapping techniques in helping to understand English texts, as well as the effectiveness of using mind mapping techniques in improving students' skills. Students understand the text critically and analytically. The method applied in this study is a qualitative descriptive method. The subjects of this study were 15 students who were taking reading courses at STKIP An Nur Nangro Aceh. Furthermore, in obtaining data, the researcher gave a test and then analyzed it by carrying out technical data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. As a result of this study, it was found that students were able to improve their critical thinking skills in understanding English texts. This is evidenced by the test results where more than 50% of all students are able to answer questions correctly according to the meaning of information from a reading. In addition, the technical application of mind mapping techniques also helps make it easier for students to understand an English text in a fun way. This mind mapping technique associates right brain and left brain thinking patterns by using branching graphs to make it easier for students to understand a reading. Finally, mind mapping can be effectively used as a technique in teaching reading. Keywords: Critical Thinking; Reading Comprehension; Mind Map