A STUDY ON USING GAME-BASED METHOD TO IMPROVE LEARNING EFFICIENCY OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Game-based approaches aim at improving participants’ engagement and satisfaction, they might have great advantages in solving the issues of students demotivated and uninvolved in learning activities. However, there are few studies on using games elements in education and examining to what extent game-based educational approaches enhance learning. To bridge this research gap, the objective of this study is to examine whether game-based method improves students’ academic performance in the school subject Life and Society. A total of four classes of Grade Seven students and two teachers participated in the study in Hong Kong. Three classes (n= 75) were assigned to the experimental groups and one class (n=30) were assigned to the control group. The experimental group participated in class sessions where they learned the timeline, major events, and factors affecting economic development of Hong Kong by a group-based card game, while the control group were taught by lecture-based method. Using a pre- & post-tests design, data were collected by a tailor-made survey including 9 fact-based questions to assess the learning outcomes. The contents of the survey were judged two experienced teachers and one panel head. Paired samples t-tests and two-way ANOVA were used to compare the possible changes, group differences and interaction effects. Results showed that both the experimental group and control group significantly increased their academic performance in the post-tests, indeed the average post-test scores of experimental groups were higher than that of the control group. Only one among three classes in the experimental group showed a significant increase in post-test scores, indicating a possibility of teacher difference. Boys in the experimental groups significantly improved in the post-test while girls did not differ significantly from pre-test scores. Both students with low and middle ability levels improved significantly in their post-test scores, while students with high ability level did not reach statistical significance. The interaction effect between gender and student ability level was statistically significant, indicating that the influence of student ability level on pre-test scores depended on their gender. Finally recommendations, implications, and limitations to the study are discussed.

Flexibility at the Price of Volatility: Concurrent Calibration in Multistage Tests in Practice Using a 2PL Model

Multistage test (MST) designs promise efficient student ability estimates, an indispensable asset for individual diagnostics in high-stakes educational assessments. In high-stakes testing, annually changing test forms are required because publicly known test items impair accurate student ability estimation, and items of bad model fit must be continually replaced to guarantee test quality. This requires a large and continually refreshed item pool as the basis for high-stakes MST. In practice, the calibration of newly developed items to feed annually changing tests is highly resource intensive. Piloting based on a representative sample of students is often not feasible, given that, for schools, participation in actual high-stakes assessments already requires considerable organizational effort. Hence, under practical constraints, the calibration of newly developed items may take place on the go in the form of a concurrent calibration in MST designs. Based on a simulation approach this paper focuses on the performance of Rasch vs. 2PL modeling in retrieving item parameters when items are for practical reasons non-optimally placed in multistage tests. Overall, the results suggest that the 2PL model performs worse in retrieving item parameters compared to the Rasch model when there is non-optimal item assembly in the MST; especially in retrieving parameters at the margins. The higher flexibility of 2PL modeling, where item discrimination is allowed to vary, seems to come at the cost of increased volatility in parameter estimation. Although the overall bias may be modest, single items can be affected by severe biases when using a 2PL model for item calibration in the context of non-optimal item placement.

PENERAPAN SKS DI MAN 1 MEDAN (Analisis Signifikansinya Dalam Percepatan Belajar Siswa)

The SKS in secondary schools is interesting innovation to research. This study aims to determine: 1) the application 2) significance for acceleration, and 3) supporting and inhibiting. This research conducted at MAN 1 Medan. The research method is qualitative with descriptive study model, the results is MAN 1 Medan applies SKS-B type where the principles: 1) gradually, 2) mapping student ability, 3) comprehensive assessment 4) use UKBM, 5) use 2013 Curriculum, 6) the teacher as facilitator, 7) students required take 6 semesters (51 JP /semester) with study period maximum 4 years, 8) provide PA. It’s found that the significance of acceleration student learning is still not visible even though the system allows it, the supporting factors: easy administration of preparation, good teacher response, parental cooperation and adequate facilities. While the obstacles: schools are still adjusting, online learning constraints and they still looking for the best pattern in implementing this SKS.

BUDAYA PENDIDIKAN DI LINGKUNGAN KELUARGA DAN BOARDING SCHOOL

Writing this article with viewpoints on the back of student ability of adjusting with culture of education and culture are in environment family adn Dormitory or boarding school. The methodology used is using a literature study and supported by experience. The result of article was first to know the sate and culture is in environment family, both know culture is in boarding school and third knows the difference between culture education in evironment family and boarding school

Analisis Kemampuan Mahasiswa dalam Pengembangan RPP Mata Pelajaran Kimia Melalui Pendekatan Saintifik

[Analysis of Student Ability in the Development of Chemistry Lesson Plan Through a Scientific Approach] Sebelum melaksanakan pembelajaran, guru harus terlebih dahulu mempersiapkan dan merencanakan perangkat pembelajaran yang salah satunya adalah RPP, dimana mahasiswa Pendidikan Kimia Uin Walisongo Semarang sebagai calon guru harus mampu menyusun perangkat pembelajaran sebagai bekal nantinya ketika memasuki dunia kerja. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis pendekatan saintifik dalam tahapan kegiatan pembelajaran penyusunan RPP mata pelajaran kimia oleh mahasiswa yang mengambil matakuliah Perencanaan Pembelajaran. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh mahasiswa Pendidikan Kimia Uin Walisongo Semarang semester 5 yang mengambil matakuliah Perencanaan Pembelajaran. Sampel dalam penelitian ini yakni 25 mahasiswa. Instrumen pengumpul data berupa angket analisis pendekatan saintifik penyusunan RPP. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dan pembahasan diperoleh bahwa dari 25 sampel menunjukkan kemampuan pada tahap mengamati yakni 83%, menanya 80%, mengumpulkan informasi 75%, mengasosiasikan/mengolah informasi 76% dan mengkomunikasikan 81 %.