Abstract:The development of digital technology has brought significant changes to Sunday School ministry and children’s faith education in the modern era. Children, as digital native generations, are increasingly connected to visual…
isual media, audiovisual content, and internet use, causing conventional learning methods to become less engaging and less effective in fostering active learner participation. This study aims to analyze Sunday School strategies in addressing the opportunities and challenges of digitalization, the utilization of digital media for children’s spiritual growth, and the roles of teachers, churches, and families in developing relevant and transformative spiritual learning. The research employed a qualitative approach with a library research design enriched through phenomenological analysis of digitalization practices in Sunday School ministry. Data were obtained through a review of literature on Christian educational theology, child pedagogy, digital literacy, and reflective observation of the use of Bible animation videos, social media, and online learning platforms. The findings indicate that the digitalization of Sunday School ministry through Bible animation videos, YouTube, Zoom, Google Meet, and Christian learning applications enhances children’s interest, participation, and understanding of God’s Word through learning experiences that are more interactive, communicative, and contextual. The challenges of digitalization are reflected in gadget-related distractions, digital dependency, reduced learning concentration, and unequal access to technology among certain families. The study concludes that the success of digital Sunday School requires the integration of technology, teacher competence, parental guidance, digital literacy, and continuous spiritual formation. The novelty of this study lies in the development of a digital Sunday School ministry model that integrates technological media, pedagogical strategies, family supervision, and children’s spiritual formation in a holistic manner, thereby ensuring that church ministry remains adaptive, inclusive, and centered on children’s faith development in the digital era.
Abstract:This study is motivated by the low level of senior high school students’ critical thinking skills in Biology learning in Indonesia and the urgent need for instructional innovations that effectively foster higher-order thinking…
thinking skills. The primary research problem lies in the inconsistency of findings from previous studies regarding the effectiveness of Project-Based Learning, thus necessitating a comprehensive analysis to obtain more robust and integrated conclusions. The study aims to examine the effect of Project-Based Learning on students’ critical thinking skills and to identify moderating factors influencing this effect through a meta-analysis of 27 relevant studies. The results indicate that Project-Based Learning has a significant impact, with a cumulative effect size of 0.98, categorized as large and consistent, supported by low heterogeneity (I² = 18.70%) and strong resistance to publication bias. The findings further reveal that critical thinking indicators serve as the most dominant moderating factor, while sample size and additional variables do not show significant influence, and the standalone model demonstrates slightly higher effectiveness than combined approaches. The conclusion affirms that Project-Based Learning is effective in enhancing critical thinking skills through contextual, active, and student-centered learning. The novelty of this study lies in the systematic integration of multiple studies through meta-analysis, producing strong empirical evidence, as well as the comprehensive identification of moderating factors that have been rarely explored, thereby contributing both theoretically and practically to evidence-based Biology education development.
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 aims to examine the effect of volleyball learning on students’ gross motor development, which constitutes a crucial aspect in supporting adolescents’ physical fitness and movement skills. The research problem…
lem arises from the low level of students’ gross motor abilities, as indicated by weak coordination, agility, balance, and muscle strength, resulting from limited structured physical activity and the dominance of conventional teaching approaches. A quantitative approach was employed using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design to evaluate the effectiveness of systematically designed volleyball instruction. The findings reveal a significant improvement in the experimental group, with the mean score increasing from 64.28 to 78.45, while the control group showed only a modest increase from 63.91 to 68.12. Statistical analysis indicates a significant difference with a t-value of 6.214 and a significance level of 0.000, supported by an effect size of 1.28, which falls into the large category. These results confirm that volleyball-based learning is effective in enhancing overall gross motor skills through structured and varied movement activities. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive approach that integrates multiple motor components within a unified analytical framework, as well as the use of effect size to strengthen the practical significance of the findings. This study provides a meaningful contribution to the development of more innovative, interactive, and movement-based physical education learning models to optimize students’ motor development sustainably.
Abstract:The development of digital technology has transformed how elementary school children interact with information through the dominance of images, videos, and interactive media, while instructional practices remain largely…
text-based and verbal. The mismatch between children’s neurocognitive characteristics and text-based instructional design creates a pedagogical gap that may hinder memory retention, attention, and learning motivation. This study aims to analyze the urgency of visual-based learning and the impact of textual design incompatibility on student learning outcomes in the digital era. The study employs a systematic literature review approach by synthesizing findings from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and multimedia learning theory relevant to elementary education. The results indicate that the visual system has a strong neurobiological foundation, supports faster information processing, enhances long-term retention, and strengthens the formation of conceptual mental models when integrated with verbal narration. The findings also reveal that digitalization without instructional design grounded in cognitive principles risks generating excessive cognitive load and the screen inferiority effect. The study concludes that adaptive visual integration based on multimedia principles and cognitive load management constitutes a fundamental strategy for improving the quality of elementary education. The novelty of this research lies in its integrative neuro-pedagogical approach, which systematically connects neuroscience findings, learning theories, and instructional design practices to reconstruct the paradigm of twenty-first-century learning.
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:Educational program evaluation serves as a strategic element to ensure the improvement of learning quality at the elementary school level, particularly as schools are required to be adaptive to students’ diverse learning…
ng needs. A major issue frequently encountered is teachers’ limited capacity to implement evaluation models that are simple, sustainable, and relevant as a basis for instructional decision-making. This study aims to analyze the application of simple evaluation through formative and summative approaches as a systematic effort to enhance the quality of learning in elementary schools. The formative approach is employed throughout the instructional process to provide immediate feedback, identify students’ learning difficulties, and adjust teaching strategies in real time, while the summative approach is applied at the end of the instructional period to assess the level of goal attainment and the overall effectiveness of the program. The findings indicate that a balanced implementation of both approaches enables teachers to design learning activities that are more responsive, measurable, and oriented toward continuous improvement. Practically designed simple evaluations also encourage teachers to take an active role as controllers of learning quality rather than merely as curriculum implementers. The conclusion of this study confirms that the integration of formative and summative evaluation in a simple yet systematic manner effectively improves learning quality while strengthening a reflective culture in elementary school settings. The novelty of this study lies in its emphasis on an evaluation model that is easy to apply, contextual, and oriented toward teachers’ daily pedagogical decision-making, thereby offering a practical alternative for elementary schools with limited formal evaluation resources.
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.