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This study aims to longitudinally describe the metacognitive skills and external representation in the context of problem-solving at Chemistry Education, Tadulako University. The qualitative study respondents were selected from a number of first year students for two consecutive semesters. Two respondents were selected based on results of selection using a metacognitive skills assessment questionnaire (MCAI) and we categorized as high and medium. Three problems were resolved by respondents at intervals of one to two weeks in each semester through a one-on-one thinking aloud and it was followed by a semi-structured interview. Data collection was recorded using a video camera. Metacognitive skills and external representation data from the odd and even semesters were deeply analyzed. This analysis technique was carried out by examining the results of problem solving and semi-structured interviews in detail and matching them with the indicators of metacogni-tive skills and external representation used by both respondents. The data analysis results showed that the thinking ability of respondents with high metacognitive skills in problem solving, experienced developments over time along with the development of their cognitive regulation and external representation. On the other hand, respondents with intermediate metacognitive skills during problem solving, were relatively the same for two consecutive semesters. Therefore, teachers need to consider the use of learning strategies by taking into account the number of students who have dominant characteristics in classroom learning, in terms of metacog-nitive skills and external representation.

The objective of this study was to categorize and describe the behavior of chemistry education students' metacognitive skills who had a low chemical understanding (low ability) in solving problems. The findings would be the basis of data for the development of instructional design on chemistry topics by utilizing metacognitive skill aspects. The subject of this study was two first-year students of chemical education, academic year 2016/2017 that joined a basic chemistry course at the low-level ability in Universitas Tadulako. Two subjects were picked through networking using a valid test comprehension. The subjects were determined regarding the percentage of low ability which was 87% of 79 students. The profile data of metacognitive skill were obtained through an essay test, think aloud and interview. The earned data were reviewed, grouped, encoded, and examined to see its credibility employing the method and time triangulation. The research found that both students of chemistry education having a low-level of basic chemistry adopted planning skills in solving problems which were the problem identifying, goal determining, and strategy managing. However, both did not use monitoring and evaluating skills.

This research aims to examine the pattern of external representation and metacognitive skills in chemistry problem solving for students of chemistry education at Tadulako University. This picture will enrich the treasures of thinking skills in the field of science, namely how students/prospective teachers think in the context of metacognitive skills and how these students display an external representation system on chemistry concepts. The subject of this qualitative study was obtained through a purposive random sampling of 97 students who have been programmed Basic Chemistry course 2017/2018 academic year. Subjects were selected based on the results of the screening using a metacognitive skills assessment questionnaire (MCAI). Two problems solved by the subject by setting one-on-one thinking aloud. Subjects who complete the issue by setting further interviews at different times. The problem-solving activity was recorded using a video camera. The subject uses a type of representation and aspects of metacognitive skills and how to use the sequence of activities, analyzed in detail. The results showed that students of chemical education used metacognitive skills and external representations. So students solve chemical problems. Students also can improve knowledge retention related to linking new knowledge with previous knowledge, creating ideas, organizing, and even synthesizing knowledge. Students become productive and find solutions for problem-solving well

The data of students problem solving ability was acquired through given test both prior to and after the implementation of metacognitive skill-based learning model (MSBL model) for stoichiometry and chemical equilibrium materials. Problem solving skill was measured using four indicators, consist of; understanding problem, Devising, implementing the plan and evaluating result. The overall students problem solving ability are classically categorized as good in each time of measurement providing the number of students with high minimum category were fewer than 60%. The results indicate the improvement of student’s ability to understand, to plan, to implement, and to evaluate the problem solving result gradually from prior to stoichiometry study, after the stoichiometry study, prior to chemical equilibrium study and after the chemical equilibrium study. Therefore, the students of chemistry education require time to be able to solve problems well