Secondary School Science Teacher Response to Minimum Competency Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities

Teachers have an essential role in preparing students for Minimum Competency Assessment (MCA) or Asesmen Kompetensi Minimum (AKM). It takes preparation, readiness, and a good teacher's perception of the AKM so that the implementation of this program goes well. This study aims to analyze teachers' perceptions in secondary schools related to the opportunities and challenges of implementing AKM. A total of 66 secondary school science teachers participated as respondents in this study. Respondents in this study were randomly selected based on their willingness to fill out a given survey. The data collection instruments were six open-ended questions. This instrument is distributed online using Google Forms. The data obtained were then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of this study reveal that the majority of science teachers have the perception that AKM policy is appropriate and suitable for implementation. However, the availability of supporting facilities and ICT literacy of students and teachers is considered a challenge that must be met. On the other hand, AKM and National Assessment (NA) are considered opportunities to improve the quality of education both nationally and locally in schools. This research is expected to reference the perception of science teachers about the challenges and opportunities for implementing AKM policies in junior high schools

Analisis Presepsi Guru Tentang Pembelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial Sekolah Dasar Berbasis Lingkungan

Environmental-based elementary school social science learning is a very important lesson in building a sense of concern for students about the surrounding environment both at school and in the community. However, teacher perceptions are needed in understanding environmental-based learning in order to apply it to classroom learning. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the teacher's perception of environmental- based Social Science learning. This research was conducted through surveys and giving questionnaires to school teachers, the sample of this study was 25 respondents from SDN Watugolong 02 teachers. The data of this study were analyzed using data interpretation analysis. The results of this study indicate that teachers' perceptions are positive about environmental-based Social Science-based learning with a percentage of 60% of 25 respondents and teachers give reasons that this learning will have a positive impact on elementary school students. In conclusion, the teacher's perception of environmental- based social studies learning is very positive. The positive thing in question is to build the character of students to foster a sense of care for the environment such as throwing garbage in its place.

Teachers’ Perceptions toward using Geography Textbooks: A Study in Secondary Schools in Nepal

This paper is an attempt to examine the teacher’s perception on use of geography textbooks at the secondary school level in the Kathmandu district of Bagmati Province, Nepal. Eight geography teachers who teach geography in community secondary schools were selected purposively. The semi-structured interview and class observation method were used to obtain on the teacher’s perceptions regarding the usages of secondary level geography textbooks. The classroom observation was used to see how teachers used geography textbooks in the classrooms by observation protocol. The interviews were recorded on audio recorder and transcribed it. The data obtained from interviews provided more profound answers and crossed check accuracy of the observational data. After collecting necessary data, analysis of the data acquired from semi-structured interviews and classroom observations were made through the interpretative method by combining different sources of data. The results reveal that geography teachers who had pro-textbook views believed that their teaching could be conducted effectively using the textbooks. By contrast, teachers who had anti-textbook views believe that geography textbook was inadequate and ineffective. Secondary level geography textbooks contain both potential and limitations. The teacher should supplement geography textbooks with other authentic teaching materials to give learners more learning.

An evaluation of Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran (MGMP) program of Indonesian Language subject in vocational school

This study aims to evaluate the administrative program for Indonesian MGMP teachers, one of which is the Rencana Pelaksanaan Pembelajaran (RPP). This research is evaluation research with the CIPP model. The research population was 59 members of the Indonesian Language MGMP of vocational school at the Sleman Regency Vocational and all students whom the members of the MGMP taught. The teacher sample was selected using the total sampling technique involving 59 members, while the student sample was selected using the proportionate random sampling technique involving 375 students. The validity in this study uses content validity and construct validity, while the reliability uses Cronbach's Alpha. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observations and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study show that: (1) the context of the Indonesian MGMP teacher administration program includes: program design, uses, and barriers based on teacher perceptions, the category is good at 33; (2) inputs include: infrastructure, materials, and instructors. Based on the teacher's perception, the category is good at 56; (3) the process includes: material presentation, discussion and question and answer, and making lesson plans based on the teacher's perception, the category is good at 69; (4) products in the form of teacher-made lesson plans based on perceptions the teacher category is good at 48; and product in teacher teaching abilities based on student perceptions have a good category by 80.

Placing Priority on Faith in Providing a Foundation for Children to Face Puberty

Background: Children will experience puberty at the age of 9-15 years, influenced by several factors. Various changes require children to be ready to face them. Teachers carry out preparations, especially those who teach in elementary schools.Objective: This research is qualitative research that aims to explore the preparation made by teachers in preparing for puberty. A total of nine Islamic-based school teachers were interviewed at their schools.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted using structured open questions. The analysis employed Van Manen’s method.Result: This study raised three themes: the teacher's perception of student development, how the teacher prepares for puberty, and the problems faced in educating children to face puberty.Conclusion: it is necessary to develop a model that can prepare children to enter puberty.

Teacher's Perception Of Student's Mathematics Learning Difficulties

Difficulties in learning mathematics can be experienced by students with any level of ability from any circle or group. With the students' learning difficulties in mathematics, the question arises why this can happen and as educators, what is the teacher's perception of learning difficulties in mathematics. The purpose of this study was to describe Teacher's Perception of Students' Mathematics Learning Difficulties. This research used a descriptive qualitative approach with non-test data collection techniques through questionnaires and interviews. The results showed that: (i) the mathematics teacher's perception of the dominant causes of learning difficulties revealed psychological causes, including low interest or motivation and understanding of basic concepts as the cause of students' mathematics learning difficulties; (ii) the mathematics teacher's perception of the symptoms that are indicators of learning difficulties in mathematics, the most widely disclosed is the low ability of students to complete the tasks given by the teacher; (iii) the teacher's perception of the method used to investigate the existence of difficulties in learning mathematics, the most commonly done is through observation, interviews and documentation by looking at the results of tests or assignments of each student; (iv) the teacher's perception of examples of difficulties experienced by students in learning mathematics, which is widely revealed in the competency standard for understanding the properties of arithmetic operations and their use in problem solving being taught; and (v) teachers' perceptions of the efforts made to overcome students' mathematics learning difficulties vary according to their respective experiences. There are only a few teachers who do group guidance and individual guidance.

Perception of Disability: Motricity-oriented education routes and inclusivity-based research perspectives

Many education scholars consider motricity aggregating and inclusive (Bertagna, 2005; Block & Vogler, 1994; Goodwin & Watkinson, 2000; Moliterni, 2013). It helps all students to develop specific motor and relational skills and non-special-needs students to manage special needs effectively (Slininger, Sherrill, & Jankowski, 2000). These positive aspects also have their impact on PE teachers according to their individual views of disability and special needs (Papadopoulou, Kokaridas, Papanikolaou, & Patsiasouras, 2004; Tripp & Rizzo, 2006). However, teacher attitude towards a special-needs student does influence day-to-day teaching and learning. The special-needs teacher's perception of disability is an important inclusivity factor that could make educational practice difficult, as class design needs constant adaptation and change. The paper presents an important educational experience at the University of Reggio Calabria, Italy, as we worked on our future special-needs teachers' perception and consequent management of inclusivity through motricity knowledge acquisition, with a view to designing and practicing more and more inclusive processes.

MARGINAL REGIONS MATHEMATICS TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE USE OF MANIPULATIVE TOOLS

Manipulative tool is one of the learning media most likely to be used by teachers, including those in marginal regions. This study aimed to determine the perception of mathematics teachers in marginal regions toward using manipulative tools as learning media. This study used surveys designed with two domains: the use of manipulative tools as learning media and the importance of manipulative tools as learning media. The sample for this study comprised 81 teachers who were either currently teaching or had previously taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in marginal regions. This study found that the manipulative tools mostly used by mathematics teachers in marginal regions are objects obtained from the surrounding environment (used cans, paperboard, coins, rulers, stones, and sticks). This study revealed that the mathematics teacher's perception of manipulative tools as learning media and the importance of manipulative tools as learning media are generally in the medium category.