Abstract:Vocational education requires teachers with optimal performance in order to produce graduates who are competent and prepared to face the demands of the workforce. Teacher performance is influenced by various factors, including…
luding principal leadership and teacher workload, both of which are directly related to the implementation of instructional duties and school administration. This study focuses on the influence of principal leadership on teacher performance, the influence of teacher workload on teacher performance, and the simultaneous influence of both variables on teacher performance at SMKN 1 Puloampel. The study employed a quantitative method with a descriptive survey approach involving 55 teachers selected through a total sampling technique. Data were collected through observation and questionnaire distribution using a Likert scale and were subsequently analyzed using the t-test and F-test with the assistance of IBM SPSS Statistics 24.0. The findings revealed that principal leadership did not have a positive and significant effect on teacher performance, whereas teacher workload had a positive and significant effect on teacher performance. Simultaneous testing further indicated that principal leadership and teacher workload collectively did not exert a significant effect on teacher performance. These findings demonstrate that teacher performance is more strongly influenced by internal factors such as professional competence, work motivation, teaching experience, and task management abilities. The novelty of this study lies in the finding that a proportionally organized teacher workload is capable of enhancing teachers’ discipline, responsibility, and work effectiveness, while principal leadership has not yet demonstrated a significant influence on teacher performance within the vocational school environment. This study contributes to the development of vocational education management through the strengthening of teacher professionalism and balanced workload management.
Abstract:Twenty-first-century science education requires students not only to master scientific concepts but also to possess critical thinking skills to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems logically. The reality in schools indicates…
cates that science learning is still frequently teacher-centered, resulting in students’ conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills not being optimally developed. This study aimed to determine the relationship between conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills among eighth-grade students of SMP Negeri Karoaipi on the topic of the human respiratory system. The study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational research design. The research sample consisted of 25 students selected through a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using descriptive tests of conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills, while data analysis was conducted through descriptive statistics, normality testing, and simple linear regression analysis using SPSS. The findings revealed that students’ conceptual understanding was categorized as good, with a mean score of 77.36, while critical thinking skills were also categorized as good, with a mean score of 78.76. Regression analysis demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.045 and an R Square value of 0.002, indicating that the relationship between conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills was classified as very low. These findings suggest that critical thinking skills are influenced not only by conceptual mastery but also by learning strategies, problem-solving experiences, analytical activities, and student engagement during science learning. The novelty of this study lies in the empirical finding that strong conceptual mastery does not necessarily correspond to high critical thinking skills among junior high school students in rural schools, particularly on the topic of the human respiratory system.
Abstract:Twenty-first-century education requires students to possess critical thinking abilities and science process skills in order to respond to the advancement of science and technology and to solve problems scientifically and…
systematically. Empirical conditions in schools indicate that junior high school students’ critical thinking skills remain relatively low because science learning is still predominantly teacher-centered and insufficiently engages students in scientific investigation activities. This study aimed to determine the relationship between science process skills and the critical thinking skills of eighth-grade students at SMP Negeri Tindaret on the topic of the human excretory system. The study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational research design. The research sample consisted of 25 students selected through purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected using a critical thinking skills test and an observation sheet assessing science process skills. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and the Pearson Product-Moment correlation test. The findings revealed that students’ critical thinking skills obtained a mean score of 75.80, while science process skills achieved a mean score of 73.00, both categorized as fairly good to high. The correlation analysis produced a coefficient value of 0.732 with a significance level of 0.000, indicating a strong and significant positive relationship between science process skills and students’ critical thinking skills. The findings further demonstrated that students who actively engaged in observation, experimentation, data processing, and scientific communication exhibited better analytical abilities and conclusion-drawing skills. The novelty of this study lies in revealing the empirical relationship between science process skills and critical thinking skills specifically in the topic of the human excretory system at SMP Negeri Tindaret, as well as in providing recommendations for science learning based on scientific investigation to strengthen students’ higher-order thinking skills in the twenty-first century.
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 is motivated by changes in the education system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which have led to the implementation of Limited Face-to-Face Learning (Pembelajaran Tatap Muka Terbatas/PTMT) in schools, thereby requiring…
equiring more adaptive and effective classroom management at SMAN 6 Sinjai. The research problem is how teachers’ classroom management strategies are implemented and the extent of their effectiveness in supporting the learning process under conditions of limited time, interaction, and facilities. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of classroom management during PTMT using a descriptive qualitative approach through observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings indicate that classroom management is categorized as highly effective, with 85% of learning activities implemented as planned, 88% of teachers applying active learning strategies, and 90% of classroom arrangements complying with health protocols, resulting in a 40% reduction in classroom disturbances. Furthermore, 78% of students reported greater comfort in a conducive learning environment, while the utilization of sanitation facilities consistently reached 95%. Although 82% of teachers experienced an increased workload, learning stability was maintained through adaptive strategies and collaboration. The study concludes that the effectiveness of classroom management is determined by the integration of instructional planning, environmental management, and students’ psychosocial adaptation. The novelty of this study lies in the concept of crisis-based adaptive classroom management that simultaneously integrates pedagogical, health, and character-building dimensions, while emphasizing teachers’ dual roles as facilitators and risk managers in the PTMT context. These findings are expected to serve as a reference for developing classroom management practices in secondary schools during crisis and educational transition situations, as well as strengthening more responsive, flexible, and sustainable learning policies aimed at improving student learning outcomes in the current Indonesian educational context.
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:Early childhood is frequently understood as a golden period of development; therefore, the formulation of learning goals becomes a crucial component that influences the direction of children’s behavior, motivation, and engagement…
engagement in the learning process. Problems arise when learning goals are predominantly formulated from an adult perspective, while the characteristics of children’s cognitive development are not fully taken into account, causing learning objectives to be difficult for children to understand and internalize. This study aims to examine the formation of learning goals for early childhood through the perspective of Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory in order to obtain a conceptual understanding that is more aligned with children’s developmental stages. The research method employs a qualitative approach through a literature review of textbooks and national and international journal articles relevant to learning goals, cognitive development, and early childhood education, which are then analyzed descriptively through processes of identification, classification, and synthesis of theoretical concepts. The findings indicate that learning goals for early childhood tend to be concrete, short-term, contextual, and activity-oriented, and are not yet supported by mature self-regulation abilities. Based on Piaget’s framework, early childhood falls within the preoperational stage; therefore, understanding learning goals is highly dependent on direct experiences, play-based activities, simple symbols, and teacher guidance. The conclusion emphasizes that the design of learning goals must be consciously adjusted to children’s cognitive developmental stages so that learning objectives can be understood, meaningful, and optimally achieved. The novelty of this study lies in the conceptual integration of Piaget’s cognitive development theory with the practical formulation of learning goals in early childhood education as a theoretical–practical foundation for teachers.
Abstract:Schools are positioned as strategic social spaces that play a crucial role in shaping students’ character and social awareness amid the growing complexity of educational challenges in the era of globalization, digitalization,…
zation, and shifting social values. An educational orientation that continues to prioritize academic achievement has generated serious issues, including the weakening of character, low levels of empathy, and declining social concern among students. The research problem addressed in this study concerns how schools can fulfill their function not only as institutions for knowledge transmission, but also as spaces for the sustainable formation of values, attitudes, and social responsibility. This study aims to analyze the role of schools as arenas for character formation and social awareness, as well as to identify relevant educational approaches for internalizing moral, ethical, and social values. A qualitative approach was employed through a literature review with descriptive analysis of scholarly publications, educational policies, and character education practices. The findings indicate that schools function effectively as educational social environments when character values are systematically integrated through the curriculum, pedagogical interactions, school culture, extracurricular activities, and teacher role modeling. Character formation and social awareness become more meaningful when implemented holistically, contextually, and consistently. The conclusion emphasizes that schools bear moral and social responsibility to create a humanistic, participatory educational ecosystem oriented toward the development of students’ holistic personality. The novelty of this scholarly work lies in its conceptual affirmation of the school as a transformative social space that unifies academic dimensions, character development, and social awareness into an inseparable pedagogical whole.
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.