ABSTRACT
In order to achieve success, an individual should have good thinking skills and character. Both matters can be achieved through a well-qualified educational system. In the mathematics’ learning process, a Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model might be selected as one of the tools for improving students’ thinking skills and character. Therefore, this study aimed at describing students’ Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) and character improvement in the mathematics’ learning process through a CPS model. This study itself was a design research. The subjects in this study were tenth grade students of the Natural Science Program from an Islamic senior high school (namely Madrasah Aliyah Negeri/MAN 3) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The data were gathered through test and observation, while the data analysis was conducted in a descriptive manner both quantitatively and qualitatively. The results of this study showed that: (1) the students’ HOTS score improved after the CPS model had been implemented in the mathematics’ learning process; (2) the students’ character score improved after the CPS model had been implemented in the mathematics’ learning process; and (3) the characteristics that might be trained through the implementation of the CPS model in the mathematics’ learning process included hard work, curiosity, responsibility, teamwork, tolerance, care and self-confidence.
