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 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: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 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 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:An inclusive education structure that prioritizes equitable access and participation without discrimination, gifted and talented children (GTC) are often overlooked by the system due to the dominance of a homogenized curriculum…
riculum not designed to address their unique needs. GTC possess complex learning profiles, characterized by high intellectual capacity, rapid knowledge acquisition, and intense interests and creativity that exceed the average. The mismatch between conventional teaching approaches and the distinctive needs of GTC in inclusive environments creates serious pedagogical challenges, notably the hindered realization of their full potential. This article aims to critically examine the effectiveness of differentiated instruction as an adaptive curriculum strategy in addressing the diverse needs of GTC within inclusive classrooms. Through a systematic literature review, the differentiation approach is analyzed within the framework of modifying content, process, and product of learning based on students' readiness, interests, and cognitive profiles. The findings indicate that the implementation of differentiation significantly enhances intrinsic motivation, active engagement, and academic achievement of GTC, while maintaining social cohesion in the classroom. Differentiated instruction also contributes to the creation of an inclusive, dynamic, and pedagogically equitable learning environment. The novelty of this study lies in the conceptual integration of differentiation principles with inclusive practices as a foundation for curriculum design that emphasizes individual excellence and appreciation of diversity. These findings offer substantive contributions to the development of a more transformative and responsive pedagogical paradigm, while also providing both theoretical and practical foundations for educators in designing curriculum interventions that empower all learners, including those with exceptional capacities.
Abstract:Social Studies is often perceived by students as a less engaging subject, partly due to the dominance of lecture-based teaching methods that offer minimal contextual learning experiences. The low level of active student…
participation in the learning process impacts their conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) strategy in improving students’ conceptual understanding in Social Studies through a literature review of various recent research findings and scholarly publications. CTL, as a learning approach that emphasizes the connection between subject matter and students’ real-life contexts, is believed to address these pedagogical challenges. Analysis of the literature sources shows that the consistent implementation of CTL positively contributes to enhancing student engagement, learning outcomes, and the development of critical and analytical thinking skills. Learning that is linked to concrete social experiences encourages students to actively construct meaning, understand interconceptual relationships, and apply knowledge meaningfully in daily life. The conclusion of this review affirms that the CTL strategy is effective in creating a more interactive, meaningful, and deeply comprehensible Social Studies learning process. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive synthesis of previous findings, demonstrating that CTL is not only relevant as an innovative teaching method but also holds potential as a systematic approach to pedagogical transformation in Social Studies education at the elementary and secondary levels.
Abstract:The phenomenon of escalating anime consumption as a form of entertainment among junior high school students (Sekolah Menengah Pertama, SMP) generates an imperative to comprehend its psychological and educational ramifications,…
tions, particularly concerning learning motivation. This study employs a systematic literature review methodology to analyze the correlation between anime exposure and the learning motivation levels of SMP students, with a particular focus on both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational dimensions. The synthesized literature reveals that anime, through its narrative complexity, visual quality, and motivational character portrayal, functions as a stimulus capable of enhancing intrinsic motivation by instilling ethical values and achievement-oriented zeal, as well as facilitating extrinsic motivation via social recognition incentives and identity aspirations. This augmentation in motivation contributes positively to increased concentration, active participation, and learning perseverance. Nonetheless, findings also indicate potential risks of diminished learning efficacy attributable to disproportionate time allocation towards excessive anime viewing, which may adversely impact academic performance. The contribution of this research lies in the integration of motivational theory (intrinsic and extrinsic) with media effects theory within the context of anime genres—particularly the action genre—to explicate the dynamics of media influence on cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning facets. Overall, the study concludes that the influence of anime consumption on junior high school students’ learning motivation is dualistic in nature; anime can serve as a facilitative medium for learning motivation when consumed in a controlled manner. Therefore, time management and content comprehension emerge as critical factors in optimizing the educational benefits of anime consumption without eliciting detrimental consequences on academic achievement.
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.