Abstract:The paradigm shift in science education necessitates the development of critical thinking skills as a foundation for improving students’ problem-solving abilities; however, empirical conditions indicate that both competencies…
tencies remain low and have not been optimally developed. This study aims to examine the relationship between critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities among eighth-grade students of SMP Negeri 2 Serui and to determine the degree of their empirical association. The study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design, utilizing essay-based test instruments analyzed through simple linear regression. The findings reveal that students’ critical thinking and problem-solving abilities are in the low to moderate categories, with mean scores of 14.56 and 28.72, respectively. The linearity test indicates a significant relationship, while regression analysis produces the equation Y = 21.682 + 0.484X with a significance value of 0.009. The correlation coefficient of 0.487 indicates a moderate positive relationship, and the coefficient of determination of 23.7% shows that critical thinking contributes to problem-solving ability. The results confirm that improvements in critical thinking skills directly influence the enhancement of students’ problem-solving abilities, although other factors also contribute. The novelty of this study lies in the presentation of a quantitative relationship model that remains significant despite non-normally distributed data, as well as in establishing critical thinking as a significant yet partial predictor of problem-solving, thereby providing a foundation for developing more structured, contextual, and higher-order thinking-based instructional strategies.
Abstract:Research on leadership styles and the strengthening of school culture in Islamic schools has become increasingly significant in response to the growing demand for educational quality grounded in religious values. School…
principals play a strategic role in developing an adaptive, collaborative, and character-oriented organizational culture that supports students’ holistic development. This study focuses on publication trends, thematic cluster structures, and the tendencies of leadership style implementation in strengthening Islamic school culture based on bibliometric analysis. The study employed a descriptive quantitative approach using bibliometric analysis of 397 Scopus-indexed documents published between 2019-2025. Data collection was conducted using Publish or Perish, while data visualization analysis was performed using VOSviewer through keyword co-occurrence techniques. The findings reveal that school culture and distributed leadership emerged as the most dominant themes and occupied central positions within the bibliometric network. The shift in research paradigms indicates a transition from structural approaches toward participatory, collaborative, and contextual approaches in modern educational leadership. Another finding demonstrates that the concepts of Islamic school and Islamic leadership have not yet appeared prominently in international research networks, thereby indicating a significant research gap regarding the integration of Islamic values into school culture and educational leadership practices. This study concludes that the strengthening of school culture is influenced not only by the administrative capabilities of school principals, but also by their ability to foster collaboration, social relations, innovation, and the continuous internalization of moral values. The novelty of this research lies in the use of bibliometric analysis to systematically map the relationship between leadership styles and Islamic school culture, while also offering a perspective on integrating the values of amanah, shura, and exemplary conduct into modern collaborative leadership models.
Abstract:This study was motivated by the low mathematics learning outcomes of vocational high school students, which are influenced by affective factors, particularly learning interest and self-confidence. Mathematics plays a crucial…
cial role in developing students’ logical, critical, and systematic thinking skills; therefore, successful mathematics learning constitutes an essential component of vocational education. The research problem focused on the influence of learning interest and self-confidence on the mathematical cognitive learning outcomes of eleventh-grade students at SMK Negeri 7 Kabupaten Tangerang. The study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational survey design. The research sample consisted of 129 students selected through cluster sampling techniques. Data were collected through Likert-scale questionnaires and documentation of students’ mathematics scores. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression with the assistance of SPSS software. The findings revealed that learning interest did not have a significant effect on mathematics learning outcomes, contributing only 1.1%, whereas self-confidence had a significant effect with a contribution of 10.8%. Simultaneous testing demonstrated that learning interest and self-confidence collectively exerted a significant influence on mathematics learning outcomes with a contribution of 13.8%. The findings indicate that self-confidence is a more dominant affective factor than learning interest in improving the mathematical cognitive learning outcomes of vocational high school students. The novelty of this study lies in the finding that the vocational practice-oriented characteristics of vocational high school students cause learning interest not to directly influence mathematics learning outcomes, while self-confidence emerges as a more determining factor in students’ academic achievement. The results of this study are expected to serve as a foundation for developing mathematics learning strategies that are more oriented toward strengthening students’ psychological aspects.
Abstract:This study aims to explore the construction of students’ contextual understanding of the Qur’anic and Hadith texts and their relevance in addressing the challenges of modern life. The research is motivated by the persistence…
sistence of a textual-normative learning paradigm in Islamic-based teacher education institutions, which risks creating a dichotomy between the authority of sacred texts and the dynamics of contemporary issues. Specifically, this study analyzes the development of critical and reflective thinking competencies among students of the PGSD Program at the private higher education institution STKIP Al Islam Tunas Bangsa in interpreting and actualizing the messages of the Qur’an and Hadith in relation to contemporary social issues. The method employed is Classroom Action Research conducted in two cycles, each consisting of the stages of planning, implementation of contextual learning actions, participant observation, and critical reflection. Data were collected through structured observations of classroom discussion dynamics, in-depth analysis of students’ reflective journals, and evaluation of case analysis projects, which were subsequently processed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal a significant transformation in students’ patterns of religious understanding, shifting from a literal approach toward analytical-contextual competence, as evidenced by their ability to relate religious textual messages to current issues such as digital media ethics, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The implications of this study underscore the urgent need to internalize a contextual approach within the Islamic Religious Education curriculum in private higher education institutions in order to build religious literacy that is applicable and adaptive to the changing times.
Abstract:Educational program evaluation is understood as a systematic process that functions to assess the level of goal attainment, implementation effectiveness, resource-use efficiency, relevance to stakeholder needs, and sustainability…
inability of educational programs. This article originates from the issue of the limited use of comprehensive evaluation as a basis for educational decision-making, which causes evaluation to be frequently perceived merely as the measurement of learning outcomes. The research problem focuses on how the concepts, functions, and models of educational program evaluation can be comprehensively and applicatively understood based on experts’ perspectives. This study elaborates the ideas of Ralph Tyler, Cronbach, and Stufflebeam, who emphasize evaluation as a provider of meaningful information, a means of identifying program strengths and weaknesses, and a foundation for continuous improvement. The research method employs a literature study by reviewing books, scientific articles, and relevant journals discussing educational evaluation. The findings indicate that evaluation serves a formative function for continuous quality improvement and a summative function as a form of public accountability, encompassing aspects of policy, curriculum, learning processes, learning outcomes, and educational resource management. Various evaluation models, such as CIPP, Provus, Stake, Kirkpatrick, and the Logical Model, are identified as systematic frameworks that are complementary and contextual for application according to program needs. The conclusion confirms that educational program evaluation plays a strategic role in improving learning quality through planned measurement processes, the provision of accurate feedback, and data-based program adjustments. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive synthesis of evaluation concepts, functions, and models, presented integratively as a conceptual–practical guide for policymakers and educational practitioners, positioning evaluation not merely as an administrative activity but as an instrument for sustainable educational quality development.
Abstract:This study examines the effectiveness of implementing Collaborative Learning as a strategy to strengthen Literasi digital among elementary school students, emerging as a response to challenges related to students’ limited…
ted ability to access, understand, and utilize digital information critically and responsibly. The main problem addressed in this research concerns the lack of learning models capable of integrating cooperation, creativity, and critical thinking skills with digital competencies relevant to 21st-century demands. Employing a descriptive qualitative method supported by a literature review, the data were collected from various scientific sources such as books, journals, articles, and previous studies. The findings indicate that Collaborative Learning effectively enhances students’ Literasi digital skills through activities emphasizing interaction, discussion, problem-solving, and the use of digital platforms such as Google Classroom, Canva, Kahoot, and Padlet. The teacher’s role as a facilitator is crucial in creating an active, adaptive, and student-centered learning environment. Challenges such as limited devices and internet access still arise, yet these can be mitigated through teacher competency development, parental support, and the optimal use of accessible digital resources. The study concludes that integrating Collaborative Learning with Literasi digital not only improves academic competence but also fosters a learning ecosystem that is engaging, participatory, and aligned with technological advancements. The novelty of this research lies in highlighting that student collaboration, when combined with appropriate technological integration, can serve as an effective strategy for strengthening Literasi digital sustainably at the elementary school level.
Abstract:This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of volleyball game–based tactical learning in improving the fundamental movement skills of students at SMP Negeri 2 Makassar. The research employed a quasi-experimental method…
hod with a non-equivalent control group design, involving 40 seventh-grade students divided into an experimental group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). The experimental group received tactical game–based learning focused on understanding game situations, decision-making, and applying tactical concepts within the context of play. In contrast, the control group followed conventional technique-based instruction emphasizing repetition of basic movements. Measurement of fundamental movement skills, particularly manipulative skills in volleyball, was conducted using the Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) test during the pretest and posttest stages. Data analysis was carried out descriptively and inferentially using paired-sample t-tests to identify changes within each group, as well as independent-sample t-tests to examine differences in improvement between groups at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that both groups experienced significant improvement in fundamental movement skills. However, the improvement in the experimental group was statistically more pronounced than in the control group, accompanied by a large effect size indicating a strong impact of the treatment. These findings confirm that volleyball game–based tactical learning provides a more effective contribution to developing students’ fundamental movement skills compared to conventional instruction. Theoretically and practically, this study recommends the implementation of tactic-based approaches as more relevant, authentic, and competency-oriented learning strategies in physical education.
Abstract:This study aims to comprehensively analyze the capacity of educational institution leaders in managing institutional problem-solving processes through a qualitative literature review approach that focuses on integrating…
theoretical concepts and contemporary educational leadership practices. The study highlights critical stages of leadership, including problem identification and diagnosis, the design of contextually relevant solution strategies, the implementation of adaptive actions, and reflection-based evaluation to ensure continuous improvement. The synthesis of the literature reveals that successful problem-solving is significantly influenced by leaders’ ability to integrate transformational, instructional, and adaptive leadership styles that foster collective participation, professional collaboration, and the establishment of a progressive learning culture. Effective leadership is characterized by reflective capacity, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to create a supportive work climate for innovation and change. Conversely, recurring challenges include limited resources, resistance to transformation, misaligned external policies, and administrative burdens that constrain managerial flexibility. Based on these findings, this study emphasizes the importance of developing context-based leadership models that position problem-solving as a core competency through enhanced data literacy, emotional intelligence, and continuous reflective learning. The main contribution of this article lies in strengthening the theoretical foundation of 21st-century educational leadership and providing practical recommendations for school leaders, policymakers, and leadership training developers to build resilient, adaptive, and continuously improving educational organizations.
Abstract:This study aims to develop an interactive learning medium based on fundamental basketball techniques and to evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing students' active participation in physical education at the junior high…
school level. The research employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach, modifying the Borg and Gall model into nine systematic development stages, including needs analysis, design, validation, and field testing. The research subjects consisted of 30 seventh-grade students for the limited trial and 60 students for the field trial. Validation by subject matter and media experts yielded an average score of 87%, indicating that the media is highly feasible. The limited trial results showed increased student participation across three learning domains: affective (72%), cognitive (68%), and psychomotor (70%). The subsequent field trial confirmed these findings, with an average active participation score of 81%, categorized as excellent. Additionally, quantitative data from questionnaires indicated positive responses from both students and teachers, with an average score of 85%, while qualitative data from observations and interviews revealed that the media significantly improved student motivation, engagement, and conceptual understanding. The results conclude that the developed interactive learning media is content-valid, practical for implementation, and effective in enhancing students’ active participation. These findings offer empirical contributions to the development of innovative, contextual, and applicable learning media in physical education and support the reinforcement of active participation-based pedagogy at the basic education level.
Abstract:Differentiated instruction is a pedagogical approach aimed at addressing the individual needs of students by adapting teaching strategies based on differences in ability, interests, and learning styles. This approach is…
increasingly relevant in the context of junior high schools, where classroom diversity necessitates more adaptive and inclusive teaching methods. This study aims to analyze the implementation of differentiated instruction in Social Studies subjects and assess its contribution to the quality of both the learning process and its outcomes. The method employed is a systematic literature review, identifying and analyzing scholarly articles obtained through the Publish or Perish software, which utilizes Google Scholar, focusing on publications from 2016 to 2025. The findings indicate that the application of differentiated instruction has a significantly positive impact on enhancing student engagement, academic achievement, the development of critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of concepts in Social Studies. This approach also succeeds in fostering an inclusive, adaptive, and participatory learning environment that encourages intrinsic motivation and boosts students’ self-confidence. The study emphasizes that the success of differentiated instruction heavily depends on teachers' ability to design and implement data-driven, responsive teaching strategies tailored to each student's needs. These findings are expected to serve as practical guidance for teachers in developing more effective instruction, enrich the academic discourse in the field of differentiated pedagogy, and contribute to the formulation of education policies that support diversity and equity in junior high school learning processes.