Needs Analysis for the Development of a Discovery Learning-Based Static Fluid E-LKPD Using Google Sites Integrated with Local Wisdom to Enhance Students' Critical Thinking Skills

Abstract

A Google Sites-based Electronic Student Worksheet (E-LKPD) represents an innovative digital instructional resource with the potential to foster students’ critical thinking skills in physics learning, particularly on the topic of static fluids. Prior to its development, a needs analysis is essential to obtain an objective understanding of the gap between the ideal instructional conditions and the actual practices implemented in the classroom. This study aimed to describe the results of the needs analysis and present the preliminary design of a Discovery Learning-based E-LKPD on static fluids using Google Sites integrated with local wisdom to enhance students’ critical thinking skills. A descriptive research design employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the instructional needs for developing the proposed E-LKPD. The participants consisted of 34 Grade XI (Phase F) students and two physics teachers at SMA Negeri 8 Padang, Indonesia. Data were collected through a critical thinking skills test, a student characteristics questionnaire, classroom observations, teacher interviews, and an analysis of instructional materials. The data were analyzed descriptively by integrating qualitative and quantitative findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of the identified instructional needs. The results revealed that students’ critical thinking skills remained at a low level, despite their positive learning characteristics and well-established digital learning habits. Furthermore, classroom instruction had not yet fully engaged students in active learning, while the existing instructional materials did not adequately support concept discovery or the development of critical thinking skills. Based on these findings, a Discovery Learning-based E-LKPD was designed by incorporating the six stages of the Discovery Learning model—stimulation, problem statement, data collection, data processing, verification, and generalization—and integrating local wisdom through the Google Sites platform. This preliminary design is expected to provide a foundation for subsequent expert validation and practicality testing in future research.