Evaluating the Impact of the Inspiring School Program in High Schools: Reviewing Implementation and Educational Quality Enhancement

This research aims to evaluate the Inspirational School Program using the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) model, focusing on providing insights and recommendations for enhancing its effectiveness and sustainability. Data collection methods in qualitative descriptive research include interviews, observation, and documentation. The study's sample population comprises individuals associated with SMA Negeri 5 in Banjarmasin, including educators, school leaders, and grade XI students. In-person interviews were conducted with the school principal, homeroom teacher, counselling teacher, and students. Data analysis techniques encompass data collection, reduction, presentation, and verification/conclusion. The results indicate that the school's needs align with the Ministry of Education and Culture guidelines. Despite limited local government support, the program planning and evaluation processes have been implemented effectively despite obstacles. The Product Evaluation Stage reflects positive outcomes, including literacy, numeracy, character development, and school safety climate improvements. Educator and staff competence have also seen enhancements. It is recommended to align implementation with the Independent Curriculum, bolster human resources through educator and staff training, enhance infrastructure support, and seek increased government assistance to sustain and improve the program. These measures aim to enhance productivity further and ensure the continued success of the Inspirational School Program

Humanistic Horizons: Exploring Red Cross Youth's Organizational Attitudes

This research delves into analyzing and comprehending humanistic attitudes within the management framework of the Youth Red Cross (PMR) organization at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Negeri Palopo. Employing a qualitative approach, data is gathered through interviews, observations, and subsequent analysis. The study encompasses various stakeholders: the Headmaster of MTsN Palopo serves as an informant to provide an overview of the school, while administrators relay information regarding the school's general profile. Facilitators from the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia) and participating teachers offer insights into activity implementation. Additionally, interviews with active student participants, including core committee members and department heads, capture their perspectives on activity execution. Findings reveal the pivotal role of humanism in PMR organization management. Members demonstrate a profound concern for fellow students' welfare, evidenced by humanitarian activities like social action and first aid training. Management ethos within the PMR organization also champions humanistic principles. Student leaders focus on service-oriented leadership and meticulous time management from planning to empowering PMR members to actively engage in altruistic endeavors. Humanistic values underpin the ethos of PMR organization management, fostering an environment conducive to leadership cultivation, first aid proficiency, and altruism. Central to this ethos is the ethos of caring for fellow members and students, laying a robust foundation for PMR activities and management steeped in human values. This environment not only supports leadership development but also emphasizes first aid training and mutual assistance, all centered on fostering humanistic values

Reflecting on the Implementation of Online English Learning in Islamic Higher Education: Lecturers and Students’ Perspectives

The penetration of technology into education has rebounded since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic era, especially in bridging the practice of online learning in schools and universities. Reflecting on the practice of online learning, teachers and students give various perceptions. Some benefits and obstacles are mentioned. This descriptive study focused on investigating the perception of lecturers and students toward online language learning in Islamic higher education. The data were collected from teachers and students in three Islamic Higher Education, namely the State Islamic Institute of Palopo, the State Islamic Institute of Bone, and the State Islamic University of Makassar. The questionnaire was used to collect data from 12 lecturers and 86 students participating. In contrast, the interview was used to gain more profound information about the lecturers’ experience and opinions about implementing online learning. From both the questionnaire and the interview, the writers concluded that Lecturers and students in Islamic higher education in South Sulawesi have a positive view of online EFL learning. They value the flexibility, access to resources, and networking opportunities it provides. Students appreciate the ability to manage their learning independently, connect with diverse learners, and engage with various language aspects. However, there's a need for improvements in technology familiarity, stable internet access, access to online learning equipment, and pedagogical training for lecturers to enhance the online learning experience further

Teacher Learning Management: A Key to Improving Student Academic Outcomes

This study aimed to provide an overview of the implementation of teacher learning management in improving student academic achievement at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Darussalam Buriko. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation using a qualitative descriptive method. The findings indicate that effective learning management at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Darussalam Buriko involves three key stages: (1) Learning Planning: Lesson plans and other administrative tools are prepared, although often only to meet administrative requirements. (2) Implementation: Teachers generally follow their lesson plans, except in certain subjects where they rely solely on student textbooks. (3) Evaluation: This involves formative and summative assessments and evaluations of students' spiritual and social attitudes. Improved student learning outcomes are evidenced by fewer remedial cases attributed to teachers' innovative methods. However, challenges include insufficient infrastructure, additional teacher assignments, inadequate knowledge of planning and implementation, limited study duration, and student-related issues such as afternoon drowsiness, lack of enthusiasm, and discipline problems.This study aimed to provide an overview of the implementation of teacher learning management in improving student academic achievement at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Darussalam Buriko. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation using a qualitative descriptive method. The findings indicate that effective learning management at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Darussalam Buriko involves three key stages: (1) Learning Planning: Lesson plans and other administrative tools are prepared, although often only to meet administrative requirements. (2) Implementation: Teachers generally follow their lesson plans, except in certain subjects where they rely solely on student textbooks. (3) Evaluation: This involves formative and summative assessments and evaluations of students' spiritual and social attitudes. Improved student learning outcomes are evidenced by fewer remedial cases attributed to teachers' innovative methods. However, challenges include insufficient infrastructure, additional teacher assignments, inadequate knowledge of planning and implementation, limited study duration, and student-related issues such as afternoon drowsiness, lack of enthusiasm, and discipline problems

Demystifying the Indigenous College Students’ Learning of English as Determined by Their Language Learning Motivation: A Convergent Parallel Approach

The study aimed to assess the motivation and proficiency of English language learning among indigenous college students at Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology in the Municipality of Kapalong, Davao del Norte. It employed a mixed-method approach using a convergent parallel design. The quantitative phase involved 202 students selected through complete enumeration, while the qualitative phase included 17 participants. Standardized questionnaires were used for the quantitative phase, and researcher-made questionnaires were utilized for the qualitative phase. The findings revealed a high level of motivation for language learning and proficiency in English among the respondents. Furthermore, the study found that language learning motivation significantly influences the English proficiency of indigenous college students. The qualitative analysis identified six themes related to the respondents' experiences in learning English, including enhancing communicative competence, various strategies, challenges encountered, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and barriers to learning English. Additionally, five themes emerged from participants' insights on the impact of English language learning motivation on their English proficiency, including external factors, benefits of motivation, aspirations, obstacles to growth and development, and facilitation of growth and development. Integrating quantitative and qualitative data resulted in a convergence of variables and phenomena describing students' English language learning experiences

Promoting Learners' Autonomy in Modern Era: A Textbook Analysis Under the Zone of Proximal Development Approach

This research aims to explore the integration of Lev Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) theory in the context of Islamic Religious Education (IRE) and character-building, focusing particularly on fostering student autonomy. The study addresses the need for a more holistic educational approach in IRE and character-building, which emphasizes transmitting religious knowledge and values and cultivates essential life skills like independence. This literature study employs qualitative descriptive methods, analyzes learning materials in IRE and character-building textbooks, and evaluates how these materials support students in their ZPD. Results indicate that this education is crucial in instilling honest, responsible, and independent behavior involving physical, economic, intellectual, moral decision-making, and spiritual aspects. However, several sub-indicators of independence are not yet fully integrated into the curriculum, indicating room for further development. Applying ZPD in learning depicts a dynamic and interactive approach, with teachers acting as active facilitators. This research highlights the need for IRE and character-building teachers to utilize ZPD to enhance student understanding and independence, focusing on the practical application of Islamic values in daily life. This study opens new insights in Islamic education literature, emphasizing significant and applicable learning, and supports the development of independent individuals, both in action and belief. Consequently, this education reinforces the internalization of religious and moral values, shaping competent and independent individuals in modern society

Boosting Listening Skills in Non-English Major Freshmen: Challenges and Solutions at Dong Nai Technology University

This research investigates the difficulties non-major students face in English listening comprehension, focusing on those who have undergone a TOEIC-oriented English module. Listening is a critical skill for effective communication, yet many learners find it challenging. The study identifies specific listening obstacles and evaluates students' performance across different listening tasks. A descriptive statistical approach was employed, with data collected via a listening test based on the TOEIC format, administered to 190 first-year students at Dong Nai Technology University. Results indicate that students perform better in tasks involving discrete statements and responses but struggle significantly with conversations and monologues, which require more complex listening skills. The analysis reveals that while students can manage straightforward, detailed information, their inferencing abilities and handling of long, complex sentences are inadequate. These findings suggest a need for targeted instructional strategies to enhance listening comprehension, particularly in making inferences and processing detailed auditory information. Improving these skills is essential for students' overall listening proficiency and success in TOEIC and real-world communication

Exploring English Major Students' Perspectives on Blended Learning: A Multiple Case Study

This undertaking aimed to elucidate the experiences and challenges encountered by English major students learning major subjects via blended Learning in Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology. It aimed to discover why they got involved in that situation, the challenges they experienced, how they coped with these challenges, and their insights regarding their conditions. This research employed a qualitative research method using the multiple case study approach. The study participants were the 3 English major students learning major subjects via blended Learning at Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology. Through the in-depth interviews, it was gathered that the participants had unforgettable experiences and challenges such as struggling to answer modules, slow internet connection, vocabulary knowledge, lack of practical learning applications, and stable internet connection. The findings also revealed that English major students cope with challenges by answering the modules simultaneously, seeking assistance from online resources, and being dedicated and self-motivated. Finally, the different insights of English major students learning major subjects via blended learning revealed that students should always seek assistance from teachers’ consideration, seek effective learning, and seek emotional support

Identification of New College Students' Problems in Riverbank

The city of Banjarmasin is one of the riverbank areas, which every year accepts new college students from various regions every day. Adjustment to the new learning environment and system creates problems for new college students. This study describes the problems new college students face from the class of 2021 at Lambung Mangkurat University. This research was conducted using mixed methods with an explanatory sequential design. The research sample was selected by purposive sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected using DCM, and qualitative data were obtained using counseling interviews. Quantitative data shows that in group analysis, new college students face problems in personal 44.9%, social 59.5%, career 59.5%, and academic 60.3%. Qualitative data collected using counseling showed that these students experienced personal and social problems. The social issues are 1) difficulty managing time; (2) lack of confidence; (3) harboring issues on their own, so they get stressed quickly, (4) overthinking, (5) relationships with parents that are not good; (6) unhealthy friendships or toxic relationship; (7) there is a misunderstanding with peers; and (8) difficulty adapting to the class schedule and new environment. Problems in these two fields have an impact on the academic field, making students less motivated to learn because of the mismatch between the desires and the majors studied, difficulty dividing time, and difficulty adapting to a new environment, coupled with problems that make new students feel stressed and depressed with their study activitie

Practicing Islamic-Based Leadership: Arab Principals' Perspectives

Although the literature offers various frameworks related to Islamic-based leadership, we argue that these frameworks have not fully encompassed all the preparations that Muslims must undertake for the afterlife. Al-Kaylani (1973–2015) is one of the Islamic philosophers who developed a relational model that connects individuals with the Creator, the universe, fellow human beings, life, and the afterlife. This qualitative study aims to explore the perspectives of Arab school leaders on the extent to which they apply Islamic-based leadership based on Al-Kaylani's relational model, as well as the factors influencing their practices. In this study, 13 school principals shared their perspectives and practices concerning what they refer to as Islamic schools and Islamic education within the Arab context. The findings reveal that the school leaders' understanding of Islamic education varies significantly based on their assumptions, influencing their practices and priorities in school planning and goals. Only one school leader attempted to align their practices with the afterlife. This study encourages researchers and practitioners to explore Al-Kaylani's model further and reimagine Islamic education's meaning in Muslim schools