Affective Development Journal

Integrating Character Education in Elementary School Social Studies Learning to Shape A Noble-Moral Generation

2025-01-27T14:45:14+00:00

Social Science Learning (IPAS) in elementary schools plays a crucial role in building students' social attitudes as an implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in social studies learning at the elementary school level aims to develop students with intelligent personalities and noble character. Character education is an important aspect for students, enabling them to apply good social attitudes in their daily life environments. This research methodology uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a literature review technique through observation and interviews at SD Negeri 2 Purwodadi, Adiluwih Sub-District, Pringsewu Regency. The research results demonstrate that integrating character education in Social Science (IPS) learning at the elementary school level successfully forms a generation with noble character. Students showed improvement in behaviors such as mutual respect among peers, maintaining harmony in the school environment, and showing politeness to teachers and staff. Through value-based learning approaches, students can internalize empathy, responsibility, and discipline. This positive impact creates a harmonious learning atmosphere and supports students' character development, thereby preparing them to face future life challenges with good moral character and high social awareness.

The Teacher's Ability to Develop Diagnostic Instruments in Elementary School Mathematics Education

2025-01-27T14:44:52+00:00

The purpose of this research is to explain teachers' ability to develop diagnostic instruments in elementary school mathematics education. Mathematics education in elementary school is very important for building students' mathematical understanding and logical and analytical thinking skills. The implementation of the independent curriculum for mathematics lessons in elementary schools aims for students to be able to solve mathematical problems in their daily lives. The diagnostic instrument for mathematics learning is designed to diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of students as well as to identify their learning needs. The teacher's ability to develop diagnostic instruments greatly influences the quality of the evaluation conducted. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method, which collects data through interviews, observations, and documentation of teachers at SDN 4 Suka Agung, Bulok District, Tanggamus Regency. The research results indicate that teachers' ability to create diagnostic instruments in elementary school mathematics education is very low, because some teachers still do not understand the diagnostic instrument, making it difficult to implement it in mathematics learning using the independent curriculum. Therefore, teachers need in-depth training and socialization regarding diagnostic instruments.

The Importance of Research-Based Decision Making in Professional Settings

2025-01-27T14:43:10+00:00

Research-informed decision making is critical in education because it provides legitimacy, objectivity, and effective techniques. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of research on teaching practices, curriculum design, and resource management. Educators conduct continuing research, exchanging experiences and assessing evidence through group discussions, observation, and book review. Data-driven decision making finds effective teaching methodologies and resource allocation strategies, whereas research-informed curriculum design encourages engaging and inclusive learning experiences. The findings are useful for educators, administrators, and legislators who want to enhance educational practices by making research-informed decisions.

Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills and Learning Outcomes through STEM Project-Based Learning in Energy Transformation Topic

2025-01-27T14:44:17+00:00

This study aims to improve students' learning outcomes and critical thinking skills using the STEM Project-Based Learning model. The research was conducted on fourth-grade students at SD Negeri Bulakan 01, Sukoharjo, during the 2023/2024 academic year. This study follows a Classroom Action Research (CAR) approach, where the teacher acts as the learning facilitator and the researcher serves as an observer. The research design is based on the model developed by Kemmis and McTaggart. The study was conducted in the second semester of the 2023/2024 academic year, specifically in February. The research subjects were 16 fourth-grade students at SD Negeri Bulakan 01, while the research object was students' critical thinking skills. Data were collected through observations and interviews and analyzed descriptively, presented in tables and graphs. The results indicate an improvement in students' critical thinking skills and learning outcomes. In Cycle I, students' critical thinking skills reached 63.3%, categorized as moderate. In Cycle II, these skills increased to 76.7%, categorized as good, reflecting a 13.4% improvement. The average student score increased from 72 in Cycle I to 82 in Cycle II. The data also show that in Cycle I, only 8 students (50%) met the Minimum Mastery Criteria (KKM). In Cycle II, the number of students meeting the KKM increased to 12, achieving a mastery percentage of 75%. The class-wide learning achievement in Cycle II met the success indicators, as at least 75% of students achieved individual mastery. Thus, implementing the STEM Project-Based Learning model in the IPAS subject has been proven to enhance learning outcomes and critical thinking skills among fourth-grade students at SD Negeri Bulakan 01.

Stress Coping Strategies in Thesis Preparation for Final-Year Students of the Guidance and Counseling Study Program

2025-03-04T03:28:44+00:00

This study aims to determine and identify stress coping strategies in writing a thesis in final year students of the Guidance and Counseling Study Program at Veteran Bangun Nusantara University. The condition of students in the millennial generation today is a challenge in completing their studies. The obstacles faced by students during the thesis writing process include various psychological disorders, including anxiety, stress, panic, fear, depression, confusion, and frustration. The most inhibiting thing in facing the final semester is overthinking, which triggers excessive stress. Stress is normal and is part of human life. However, too much stress can interfere with a person's personal function, because everyone's endurance is different. This type of research is qualitative descriptive method. The data collection techniques used are interviews and observations. The subjects in this study were final year BK students from the Class of 2018, 2019 and 2020. The results showed that final year students predominantly used emotion focused coping strategies with five forms of coping, namely distancing, accepting responsibility, positive reappraisal, self-control, and escape avoidance. Final year students of BK study program of Veteran Bangun Nusantara University face pressure in completing their thesis in ways that aim to manage emotions and feelings of stress, not directly solving the problem itself. The conclusion of this study is that stress coping strategies included in the Emotion Focused Coping category are used by students facing difficulties in completing their thesis in ways that aim to manage emotions and feelings of stress, not directly solving the problem itself.