Needs Analysis of HOTS-Based Digital Assessment in Physics Learning for Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills

Authors

  • Muhammad Toha Banda Aceh Methodist High School
  • Aseel AINaser International Academy Amman

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37251/sjpe.v7i3.3406

Keywords:

Critical Thinking Skills, Digital Assessment, HOTS, Needs Analysis, Physics Learning

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study aims to analyze the need for implementing HOTS-based digital assessment in physics learning and to identify learning challenges, assessment practices, and opportunities for enhancing senior high school students’ critical thinking skills through the integration of digital technologies.

Methodology: This study employed a descriptive qualitative research design using a needs analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews involving five senior high school physics teachers. The research instrument was an interview guide consisting of ten questions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, including transcription, coding, categorization, and interpretation of emerging themes.

Main Findings: Physics learning remains predominantly teacher-centered, resulting in limited student participation and engagement. Students demonstrated difficulties in solving analytical and contextual problems requiring higher-order thinking skills. Critical thinking skills were not optimally developed due to conventional assessment practices. Teachers expressed a strong need for HOTS-based digital assessment and identified Quizizz and PhET as potential technologies to support student engagement, conceptual understanding, and critical thinking development.

Novelty/Originality of this study: This study contributes by focusing on the needs analysis of HOTS-based digital assessment in physics learning before intervention implementation. It integrates issues of student participation, critical thinking skills, assessment practices, and digital technology readiness within a single framework. The study also highlights the combined potential of Quizizz and PhET to support assessment innovation and critical thinking development in physics education.

References

W. Nuraini, F. S. Widyaningtyas, R. Perdana, and K. Kunci, “Development of scratch learning media based on problem-based learning model on fluid dynamics topic to improve hots of high school students,” Ilmu Pendidik. J. Kaji. Teor. dan Prakt. Kependidikan, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 43–52, 2026, doi: 10.17977/um027v11i12026p43-52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17977/um027v11i12026p43-52

T. Tanti, W. Utami, D. Deliza, and M. Jahanifar, “Investigation in vocation high school for attitude and motivation students in learning physics subject,” J. Eval. Educ., vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 479–490, 2025, doi: 10.37251/jee.v6i2.1452. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37251/jee.v6i2.1452

D. Darmaji, A. Astalini, K. Kamid, and E. Triani, “The influence of generic skills on gender differences in scientific processing and critical thinking in physics motion dynamics,” J. Ilm. Ilmu Terap. Univ. Jambi, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 524–537, Oct. 2024, doi: 10.22437/jiituj.v8i2.37237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22437/jiituj.v8i2.37237

T. Tanti, D. A. Kurniawan, K. Kuswanto, W. Utami, and I. Wardhana, “Science process skills and critical thinking in science: Urban and rural disparity,” J. Pendidik. IPA Indones., vol. 9, no. 4, 2020, doi: 10.15294/jpii.v9i4.24139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v9i4.24139

S. Ahzari and A. Akmam, “Analyzing students’ critical thinking as a basis for developing interactive physics multimedia with generative learning and cognitive conflict strategies,” J. Pendidik. Fis., vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 163–176, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.26618/jpf.v13i2.17702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26618/jpf.v13i2.17702

P. Sari Dewi and H. Kuswanto, “The effectiveness of the use of augmented reality-assisted physics e-module based on pedicab to improve mathematical communication and critical thinking abilities,” J. Technol. Sci. Educ., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 53–64, 2023, doi: 10.3926/jotse.1714. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1714

S. H. U. Salsabila Arwa Naila, Salamah Izati Winda, Daulay Hasanuddin Ahmad, Badri Nurul Lalu, “Utilizing technology to improve higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in the digital era,” J. Ilmu Pendidik. dan Psikol., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 115–125, 2025, doi: 10.66952/jippsi.v3i2.246.

I. W. Gunartha, D. A. Widiasri, I. Ayu, and A. Ekasriadi, “Hots-based Indonesian language assessment and learning: Efforts to improve students’ critical thinking skills in the 21st century digital era,” SANDIBASA II (Seminar Nas. Pendidik. Bhs. dan Sastra Indones., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 109–125, 2024.

T. Tanti, D. Deliza, and S. Hartina, “The effectiveness of using smartphones as mobile-mini labs in improving students’ beliefs in physics,” JIPF (Jurnal Ilmu Pendidik. Fis. Vol 9, No 3 Sept. 2024, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 387–394, 2024, doi: 10.26737/jipf.v9i3.5185. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26737/jipf.v9i3.5185

A. Hidayati, A. Bentri, F. Yeni, Zuwirna, and Eldarni, “The development of instructional multimedia based on science, environment, technology, and society (SETS),” J. Phys. Conf. Ser., vol. 1594, no. 1, p. 12016, 2020, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1594/1/012016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1594/1/012016

S. Soeharto and B. Csapó, “Exploring Indonesian student misconceptions in science concepts,” Heliyon, vol. 8, no. 9, pp. 1–10, Sep. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10720. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10720

D. Saepuzaman, H. Retnawati, E. Istiyono, and H. Haryanto, “Developing HOTS instruments: Is it difficult for physics teachers?,” J. Pendidik. MIPA, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 1802–1826, 2022, doi: 10.23960/jpmipa/v23i4.pp1802-1826. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23960/jpmipa/v23i4.pp1802-1826

D. A. U. Hariyanti Nur Syafria, Hikmawati Usfin, Ali Yunanto Bugar, Rahmawati Fitria, Fadly Wirawan, Julianto, “Bibliometric analysis of hots based physics e-module development to improve high school students’ critical thinking,” Epistemic Sci. Think. Lit., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 40–55, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58706/epistemic.v1n1.p40-55

Y. B. Bhakti, R. Arthur, and Y. Supriyati, “Development and validation of a complex true-false multiple-choice test for assessing critical thinking skills in physics,” Cogent Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1–13, 2025, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2025.2553008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2553008

T. Tanti, D. Darmaji, A. Astalini, D. A. Kurniawan, and M. Iqbal, “Analysis of user responses to the application of web-based assessment on character assessment,” J. Educ. Technol., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 356–364, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.23887/jet.v5i3.33590. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23887/jet.v5i3.33590

A. I. Journal et al., “Physics informed machine learning in geotechnical engineering: A direction paper,” Geomech. Geoengin., vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 1128–1159, 2025, doi: 10.1080/17486025.2025.2502029. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2025.2502029

P. J. A. C. Van Der Zanden et al., “Fostering critical thinking skills in secondary education to prepare students for university: Teacher perceptions and practices,” Res. Post-Compulsory Educ., vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 394–419, 2020, doi: 10.1080/13596748.2020.1846313. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2020.1846313

D. C. Selvam et al., “Mechanics Physics Informed machine learning for turbulent combustion in aerospace propulsion: Bridging physical rigour and data intelligence,” Eng. Appl. Comput. Fluid Mech., vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 1–23, 2026, doi: 10.1080/19942060.2026.2678066. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19942060.2026.2678066

D. Champion, F. Solomon, and M. Lammey, “Embodying physics assessment: Reimagining formative assessment as a creative, multimodal, and culturally sustaining dialogic practice,” J. Learn. Sci., vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 474–525, 2025, doi: 10.1080/10508406.2025.2569583. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10508406.2025.2569583

J. Bates et al., “Cultivating critical thinking skills: A pedagogical study in a business statistics course,” J. Stat. Data Sci. Educ., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 166–176, 2025, doi: 10.1080/26939169.2024.2394534. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26939169.2024.2394534

A. Nyström, A. Johansson, A. T. Danielsson, J. Allison, and A. Johansson, “Resonating with physics: Physics students’ stories about existential and affective relations to science in and beyond formal learning spaces,” Int. J. Sci. Educ. Part B, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 581–596, 2025, doi: 10.1080/21548455.2024.2439140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2024.2439140

P. Pečiuliauskienė, “Instructional clarity in physics lessons: Students’ motivation and self-confidence,” Cogent Educ., vol. 10, no. 2, 2023, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2023.2236463. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2236463

L. Tuyishimire, W. Mlaga, and P. Ntawigira, “Teaching critical thinking skills in Rwandan secondary schools: Challenge and practical solutions,” Cogent Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2025, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2025.2562349. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2562349

H. H. Lotriet and P. M. Gouws, “Educational robotics in physics education: A systematic review,” Stud. Sci. Educ., vol. 62, no. 1, pp. 107–136, 2026, doi: 10.1080/03057267.2025.2455334. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2025.2455334

J. Heymann, A. Sprague, A. Raub, J. Heymann, A. Sprague, and A. M. Y. Raub, “National action to reduce barriers to and bias against women’s leadership: A comparative analysis of laws and policies in 193 countries,” J. Comp. Policy Anal. Res. Pract., vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 360–381, 2025, doi: 10.1080/13876988.2025.2490160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13876988.2025.2490160

S. B. Nicholls et al., “Performance analysis practice within olympic and paralympic sports: A comparison of coach and analyst experiences,” Int. J. Perform. Anal. Sport, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 343–351, 2022, doi: 10.1080/24748668.2022.2054623. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2022.2054623

B. Kılıç, E. Ünal, C. Pörücü, M. Öveç, and D. Asarkaya, “The impact of unmet needs on fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors: A cros sectional and multivariate analysis,” Cancer Manag. Res., vol. 13, no. 17, pp. 1788–1800, 2025, doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S542283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S542283

M. Wessel et al., “Generative ai and its transformative value for digital platforms generative ai and its transformative value for digital platforms,” J. Manag. Inf. Syst., vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 346–369, 2025, doi: 10.1080/07421222.2025.2487315. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2025.2487315

N. N. Ndou-chikwena, “Bibliometric analysis of studies in inclusive psychosocial support of adolescents with special needs in schools,” Emot. Behav. Difficulties, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 291–303, 2025, doi: 10.1080/13632752.2025.2536985. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2025.2536985

A. Yang, N. A. Sulaiman, N. S. Yaccob, and A. Yang, “Enhancing critical thinking skills for higher education students through English reading modules: A systematic review,” Cogent Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1–15, 2025, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2025.2587466. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2587466

C. Zhou et al., “Needs analysis of supportive care for postoperative wound rehabilitation in anal fistula patients based on the kano model,” J. Multidiscip. Healthc., vol. 23, no. 90, pp. 5289–5298, 2025, doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S535960. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S535960

B. A. Jantausch et al., “Assessing trainee critical thinking skills using a novel interactive online learning tool learning tool,” Med. Educ. Online, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 1–6, 2023, doi: 10.1080/10872981.2023.2178871. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2023.2178871

S. Paul, H. M. Isaacs, and R. J. Cote, “Expert review of molecular diagnostics ai and the digital pathology revolution: Clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and assessment,” Expert Rev. Mol. Diagn., vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 277–292, 2026, doi: 10.1080/14737159.2026.2665801. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2026.2665801

S. M. Al-bahlani, P. Ecke, and S. M. Al-, “Assessment competence and practices including digital assessment literacy of postsecondary english language teachers in Oman,” Cogent Educ., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1–18, 2023, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2023.2239535. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2239535

S. Li, N. M. Nasri, and H. Norman, “Needs analysis of virtual reality (VR) application in art appreciation for Chinese middle school students,” Cogent Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1–18, 2025, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2025.2474287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2474287

E. Y. Yeh, “Testing the canon: Digital scholarship and early cinema in Hong Kong,” J. Chinese Cinemas, vol. 18, no. 2–3, pp. 375–396, 2025, doi: 10.1080/17508061.2025.2518014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17508061.2025.2518014

M. K. Merga and M. K. Merga, “Needs analysis for resource development to fuel school library advocacy for writer visits,” J. Libr. Adm., vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 267–287, 2025, doi: 10.1080/01930826.2025.2468131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2025.2468131

M. Zhu, C. Calderon, A. Ford, C. Robson, and J. Jin, “Digital Twin for resilience and sustainability assessment of port facility,” Sustain. Resilient Infrastruct., vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 267–300, 2026, doi: 10.1080/23789689.2025.2526928. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23789689.2025.2526928

N. Katajavuori et al., “Assessment futures through teachers’ eyes: A qualitative case study in higher education,” Eur. J. High. Educ., vol. 8235, pp. 1–27, 2026, doi: 10.1080/21568235.2026.2658139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21568235.2026.2658139

E. Grammatikopoulou, S. Johansson, and M. Rosén, “Paper based and digital reading in 14 countries: Exploring cross country variation in mode effects,” Educ. Rev., vol. 78, no. 1, pp. 61–79, 2026, doi: 10.1080/00131911.2025.2452236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2025.2452236

Downloads

Published

2026-06-13

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

[1]
“Needs Analysis of HOTS-Based Digital Assessment in Physics Learning for Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills”, Sch. Jo. Phs. Ed, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 165–171, Jun. 2026, doi: 10.37251/sjpe.v7i3.3406.