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: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: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 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 compare the effectiveness of a curriculum based on John Dewey's philosophical values with a traditional curriculum in improving student learning outcomes in higher education. Traditional curricula often…
n focus on a hierarchy of subjects and rote learning, which tend to neglect concrete experiences, social relevance, and interdisciplinary connections. In contrast, Dewey's educational philosophy emphasizes a student-centered approach, democracy in education, authentic learning experiences, and multidisciplinary problem-solving. Dewey criticized the rigidity of traditional curricula for being inflexible and unresponsive to individual needs. As an alternative, he proposed a dynamic education approach oriented toward real-life experiences, aiming to prepare students for democratic life through the development of critical thinking and social skills. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach in enhancing learning outcomes and fostering personal development in students. However, implementing approaches based on Dewey's philosophical values, such as Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and Student-Centered Learning (SCL), faces significant challenges. Barriers such as content-based curricula, unsupportive teaching policies, insufficient infrastructure, limited facilities, and high faculty workloads remain major obstacles, as found in the context of education in Afghanistan. This highlights the need for educational reform that focuses not only on curriculum development but also on strengthening infrastructure, policies, and operational support.
Abstract:The objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model in enhancing students achievement and active participation in Grade VIII at SMP Negeri 172 Jakarta in the Social Studies…
dies subject. This research is based on the importance of preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century, which require critical, analytical, and creative thinking skills. The method used is Classroom Action Research (CAR) with 35 students from class VIII-3 as participants. There are two cycles in this study, consisting of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection phases. In the first cycle, although PBL was implemented, only 43% of students scored above the Minimum Mastery Criteria (KKM) of 80, with an average score of 71. Additionally, their activeness in asking questions, answering, expressing opinions, and solving problems was still low. Reflection indicated that students needed time to adapt to PBL and required more motivation from the teacher. In the second cycle, after improvements were made, there was a significant increase. As many as 89% of students scored above the KKM of 80, with an average score of 88. Student activeness also increased with more active participation in class activities. This shows that students better understood and adapted to the PBL model and received better encouragement from the teacher. In conclusion, the implementation of the PBL model is effective in improving students achievement and active participation in the Social Studies subject at SMP Negeri 172 Jakarta. This is evidenced by the significant increase in students average scores and their active participation in learning. The PBL model is capable of stimulating students critical, analytical, and creative thinking skills, as well as enhancing their engagement in learning, creating a more conducive and efficient environment for achieving educational goals.
Abstract:This study aims to analyze the role of post-marital counseling as a pastoral strategy in addressing marital conflicts during the first five years of marriage among congregants of the Bethel Church of Indonesia (Gereja Bethel…
thel Indonesia) Musi Palem Indah, Palembang. The first five years of marriage represent a critical period prone to various issues, such as personality differences, poor communication patterns, financial problems, spiritual crises, and the influence of secular culture. Although the church has implemented a premarital counseling program, data indicate instances of divorce among young married couples due to a lack of continuous guidance. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method using observation, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires distributed to 25 couples who were married between 2020 and 2025. Data analysis was conducted through the stages of reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, validated through source triangulation. The findings reveal that the majority of respondents (70–80%) acknowledged that post-marital counseling plays a significant role in resolving household conflicts, fostering healthy communication, and strengthening family spirituality. The key finding of this study is the effectiveness of the MUSI-based pastoral counseling model (Problem, Effort, Goal, Intervention), which is systematic, contextual, and spiritually integrative according to the needs of the local congregation. The study recommends that the church develop post-marital counseling programs as an integral part of pastoral family ministry in a preventive, structured, and continuous manner to strengthen Christian family resilience from the early stages of marriage.
Abstract:This study examines the resolution of non-performing financing in Islamic financial institutions, which have experienced significant growth but are confronted with increasing risks of non-performing financing (NPF) that…
may undermine institutional stability and public trust. The research problem focuses on the suboptimal mechanisms for resolving problematic financing, the existence of a gap between legal norms and their practical implementation, and the lack of integration of philosophical approaches within the framework of Islamic economic law. This study aims to analyze resolution mechanisms from the perspective of Islamic economic law, identify the factors contributing to the normative–practical gap, and formulate a more comprehensive and equitable resolution model. The method employed is normative juridical, utilizing statutory and case approaches, with secondary data analyzed qualitatively through deductive reasoning. The findings indicate that the resolution of non-performing financing is still predominantly characterized by restructuring measures that are administrative in nature and fail to address root causes, while litigation pathways remain relatively ineffective due to procedural and substantive constraints. The disparity between legal norms and practice suggests that legal implementation has not fully reflected the principles of substantive justice. The study concludes by emphasizing the necessity of reconstructing resolution mechanisms through the integration of normative, empirical, and philosophical dimensions. The novelty of this research lies in the development of a maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah-based resolution model that offers a holistic approach oriented toward justice, public welfare, and the balance of interests, thereby providing more effective, contextual, and sustainable solutions within the Islamic financial system in Indonesia.
Abstract:The Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program was developed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia as a step towards modernizing higher education and bridging the…
gap between the academic world and the workforce. Although it has been widely adopted in various universities, the efficiency of this program in enhancing students’ job readiness remains a key question. The aim of this research is to evaluate the implementation of the MBKM program and its impact on students’ job preparation, including both soft skills and hard skills. The background of the issue reveals a gap between higher education graduates’ competencies and the needs of the workforce, which has driven the government to initiate the MBKM policy as a solution to better prepare students for the dynamics of the labor market. The research problem focuses on the effectiveness of MBKM program implementation across various universities and how it affects students’ job readiness. Through a comprehensive literature review method, this study analyzes various scientific publications, policy reports, and evaluation studies related to MBKM from 2020 to 2024. The findings indicate that the implementation of MBKM still varies across higher education institutions with several challenges, such as infrastructure readiness, administrative systems, and stakeholder understanding. However, a positive correlation was found between student participation in the MBKM program, particularly in industry internships and collaborative projects, and improvements in adaptability, problem-solving skills, and technical competencies needed in the workforce. The novelty of this research lies in the comprehensive mapping of critical factors in the implementation of MBKM as well as the development of a sustainable evaluation framework that universities can use to enhance the effectiveness of the MBKM program in preparing graduates who are job-ready and globally competitive.
Abstract:This study aims to describe the errors made by students in solving story problems using Newman’s procedure analysis and in terms of students’ learning styles. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative research.…
arch. The subjects of this study were students of class VIIIع with a total of 23 students and selected using purposive sampling as many as 9 students based on visual, auditory and kinetic learning styles. The data collection technique in this study used a learning style questionnaire test which was tested with 23 students of class VIIIع, a story problem test on the system of linear equations of two variables which was tested with 9 students who were selected based on learning style groups and interviews. Based on the results of the study there were 10 students with visual learning styles, 9 students with auditory learning styles and 4 students with kinaesthetic learning styles. Obtained from the research data are: a) Students with visual learning styles made errors based on Newman’s procedure in understanding the problem and writing the final answer; b) Students with auditory learning styles made errors based on Newman’s procedure on understanding the problem, transformation, process skills and writing the final answer, c) Students with kinaesthetic learning styles made errors based on Newman’s procedure on understanding the problem, transformation, process skills and writing the final answer.