Spice plants as a biology learning resource based-education for sustainable development

Studying biology has research topics that are closely related to all the living things around the student and important for them to understand thoroughly. One of the local potentials in the environment around students that can be used as a source of learning biology is spice plants. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. The research aims to describe the spice plants in the Botanical Smartpark, which can be used as learning resources. The result of this research shows that there are 57 species and 27 families of spice plants found at the Botanical Smartpark, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Spice plant biology objects can be used in biology learning by using project-based learning and socio-scientific issues-based learning models. In addition, this local potential can support education for sustainable development (ESD), through environmental conservation

The role of peace educators in building a culture of peace in the school: Comparisons between Indonesia and Malaysia

A culture of peace is a condition that school members covet. Indonesia and Malaysia are two neighboring countries that support implementing peace education. Even though the two countries are allied and neighbors, each country has uniqueness, including implementing peace education. This study aims to describe the role of peace educators in Indonesian and Malaysian schools. Systematic literature reviews identify the position of peace educators in building a culture of peace in schools. The study uses eight main articles to describe the role of peace educators in Indonesia and Malaysia. The selected articles were analyzed by data extraction. The study results show that peace educators in Indonesia and Malaysia have different characteristics. Peace educators in Indonesia focus more on efforts to suppress student violence. Meanwhile, peace educators in Malaysia focus on building a constructive mindset towards all forms of experiences experienced by students. The study recommends further research to create a unique model of peace education according to the characteristics of students in Indonesia and Malaysia

Elementary school students’ learning difficulties on distance learning during COVID-19: the psychological approach

During the COVID-19 period, pupils in primary schools have encountered various learning challenges. In Indonesia, this occurs in every primary school. This study intends to lighten the psychological aspect of distance learning challenges. This study employs a mixed-method methodology by integrating qualitative research, a case study technique, and quantitative description (n=414). Researchers looked at three primary school models in South Sumatra and Special Region of Yogyakarta: Model A, which used technology-based online learning; Model B, which integrated online and offline learning; and Model C, which only used WhatsApp group-based offline learning. Focus group discussions, observations, documentation, and interviews with teachers, parents, and students were all undertaken by the researchers. They also distributed open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires via Google Form. The interactive Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s models were used to analyze data. The findings demonstrated that children in all three school models encountered similar learning challenges. Still, in Model C, the complexity of those challenges was more significant than in Model A and Model B. Learning challenges included issues with comprehending topics, struggling to solve the problems with completing tasks, and working with self-study. The lack of essential psychological needs, such as the ability to interact and actualize oneself, as well as the boredom or monotony of students when pursuing distance learning, are some of the causes of learning challenges. The findings of this study have consequences for teachers and psychologists, who should pay attention to children’s fundamental needs to improve learning motivation and academic progress in primary school pupils

Early childhood education pre-service teachers’ perception of outdoor learning

Outdoor learning encompasses a wide range of educational activities, from local natural play areas to formal school curriculum classes. Despite growing evidence of its benefits, outdoor learning is still underutilized in Malaysia’s early childhood education system. Hence, this study aims to investigate preservice teachers’ perceptions of the impact of outdoor learning on children’s well-being since future teachers’ perception is the most important indicator in predicting their intention to use it in the future. A quantitative approach was used, and the questionnaire was distributed to 63 pre-service teachers studying at Universiti Selangor, Malaysia. Based on the findings, the majority of respondents agree that outdoor learning benefits children’s well-being, especially their social and psychosocial well-being. Thus, this study provides insight into the significance of outdoor learning on children’s learning experiences and that it should be utilized more frequently in the classroom

The interplay of factors affecting online learning experience in higher education

Education has undergone a profound transformation, transitioning significantly from traditional face-to-face instructional approaches to a predominant reliance on online learning methodologies. This sudden change leaves questions on how to provide an affective and satisfying online leaning for students. As prior studies revealed, many factors affect the success of implementing online learning, specifically for higher education students. As a response, this quantitative study was intended to investigate the interplay of factors affecting online learning experience in higher education namely anxiety, motivation for learning, self-directed learning, online learning attitude, and computer-internet self-efficacy. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) included 20 items of online survey distributed to undergraduate students (n=329) from several faculties at one Indonesian university to explore this issue. This study used the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) application to explore the interplay among six constructs. The results showed that all six constructs namely anxiety, motivation for learning, self-directed learning, online learning attitude, computer-internet self-efficacy, and online learning experience were positively associated. It meant that those factors were statistically proven to affect students’ online learning experiences. Educators could use these results as a consideration in implementing online learning more effectively. Further implications of pedagogical practice and further research are discussed

Planetarium pedagogy and technical learning experience: an investigation from instructional perspectives

The research focused on the National Planetarium Kuala Lumpur’s education programs, investigating the types and target audiences. It examined the educational theories and strategies used, including multiple intelligence theory and cooperative learning. The study also explored the alignment of astrophysics in Pearson Edexcel International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Physics with the Planetarium’s programs. Document analysis and participant observation were employed. The results revealed two program types: on-site and online. The programs showed alignment with IGCSE Physics and utilized theories like social cognitive theory. The National Planetarium positively impacted students through multi-intelligence theory, sociocultural theory, experiential theory, and constructivism. Gamification and group activities enhanced the learning experience. The Planetarium’s ability to simulate astronomical events made it an effective medium for instructional science institutions. Overall, the study highlighted the diverse education programs of the National Planetarium Kuala Lumpur, their alignment with IGCSE Physics, and their positive impact on students’ personal, physical, and social contexts

English for specific purposes curriculum evaluation from the social semiotic perspective

This paper presents an evaluation of an English for specific purposes (ESP) curriculum using the social semiotic perspective. This perspective highlights the importance of authenticity, multimodality, and communicative competence in ESP teaching and learning. Five main components of the ESP curriculum at the Port and Shipping Management Department of a Maritime Polytechnic in Indonesia were evaluated, including the syllabus, lesson plans, resources, teaching activities, and assessment. In conducting the evaluation, the authors developed an evaluation framework based on three existing frameworks, namely Stufflebeam’s context input process product (CIPP) model for evaluation, Kaewpet’s ESP program evaluation, and Tsou and Chen’s ESP program evaluation. Multiple data collection methods were used and multiple perspectives of research participants were invited. The findings of the study revealed that there were several problems in the ESP curriculum of the Port and Shipping Management Department. The main problem was the poorly designed syllabus that has caused drawbacks on the other components, such as irrelevant and unauthentic teaching materials and activities, low variety of teaching media, lack of multimodal resources used in the classroom, and low validity and reliability of assessments. Pedagogical implications regarding the results of the evaluation are also discussed.

Adaptation and validation the integration scale for Indonesian university students: academic and social

Student integration is a student’s ability to integrate into the social and academic systems of the university. Integration of students has been shown to affect how well they do on campus, which helps them finish higher education. The integration scale (IS) measures integration ability that meets the principle of simplicity. The integration scale is formed of 16 items divided into five aspects and two factors. This study aimed to adapt and validate IS instruments for the Indonesian university student population. The research methods complied with the six-step procedures the International Test Commission set out. A total of 309 participants were undergraduate students. They were between 17 and 23 years old (mean=19.42, SD=1.11 years), with 247 females (79.94%) and 62 males (20.06%). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a total of 16 items were valid and reliable. Three models that have acceptable fits were confirmed. The results demonstrate that the Indonesian integration scale measures undergraduate student integration with comparable precision to the original scale. This scale can identify students who require academic and social integration assistance and evaluate the institution’s role in academic development

Scientific communication: students’ proficiency for workplace readiness

Under the theme of “scientific communication proficiency for workplace readiness,” researchers conducted this mixed-method study to specify key elements that improve student’s proficiency for scientific communication and enhance the communicative competence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for the students. Data were collected using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion. The respondents and informants consisted of 351 STEM students, six STEM business executives, and three communication experts. The conceptual framework was designed based on a communicative competence model to identify relationship between skills, knowledge, and training history. The science communication model of existing core elements (CE) based on sender, message, channel, and receiver (SMCR) communication model was developed. The implication of the finding significantly escalates the practice of scientific communication. The study highlights the importance of considering different elements under SMCR in enhancing communication skills among STEM students. The expectations of business executives and communication experts’ views and feedback provided empirical inferences that significantly support the outcomes in terms of the practical implication phase. Based on the findings, the science communication model with key elements for work readiness is redesigned as the final outcome. The results could imply to enhance communication skills in various industries

Development and validation of the educational psychological capital scale

Since the introduction of psychological capital to the field of education, it has drawn a lot of interest from researchers. This is due to the numerous studies that have demonstrated the positive effects of psychological capital on academic performance. Nevertheless, the psychological capital scale was initially developed to measure the psychological capital of employees, not students. There is a dearth of studies that examine the psychological capital scale’s psychometric properties in educational contexts, particularly in Southeast Asia. Therefore, the present study aims to develop and test the validity of an educational psychological capital scale. The study was carried out with the participation of a total of 2,494 undergraduates. The tests of indicator reliability, construct reliability convergent, validity, and discriminant validity were executed. The result revealed that the scale demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties. The study also found psychological capital can serve as a positive predictor of student academic performance. It signified that the scale can be used to measure student psychological capital precisely. This has resolved the flaw of the original psychological capital scale, which measured students’ psychological capital in the workplace rather than in educational settings. However, since the study was conducted in Malaysia, the psychometric properties of the scale can be further verified in other countries