Abstract:
Science process skills play an important role in the advancement of society because they contribute to
the emergence of new knowledge and technology. In this study, researchers analyzed the effectiveness of
the cognitive style-based learning strategy (CSBLS) in improving elementary students’ science process
skills. The CSBLS was implemented over five weeks in science classes at two elementary schools in
Indonesia and evaluated using a pre-test-post-test method. The results showed that, overall, the students’
science process skills increased from “poor” to “good” level. The weakest science process skill identified
in the students was the ability to conduct experiments, including stating hypotheses or operational
questions to be tested, identifying and controlling variables, and making operational definitions. The
study demonstrates that the CSBLS accommodates students with different levels of cognitive
development and cognitive styles (e.g., field dependent and field independent) to optimally improve their
science process skills, providing a significant contribution to elementary education.
Keywords: Cognitive style, field dependence, field independence, learning strategy, science process
skills.
