Middle School Research Articles

PENJARINGAN BAKAT SISWA-SISWI SMP/MTS PADA CABANG OLAHRAGA ATLETIK MELALUI MADRASAH ISLAMIC COMPETITION (MIC) 2024

The lack of athletic competitions in Jember Regency, causing a decrease in achievement. Therefore, Madrasah Islamic Competition (MIC) cooperates with PASI (Indonesian Athletics Association) Jember Regency to organise competitions, one of which is athletic sports, especially running numbers. Madrasah Islamic Competition (MIC) is a competition event held by MAN 2 Jember to facilitate the talents and potential of junior high school / middle school students throughout Besuki Prefecture. One of the branches contested is the 100 m and 400 m run. Talent screening in this athletic sport is the main focus, with the aim of identifying and developing the potential of young athletes who can represent their schools and regions in larger competitions. This service activity aims to make it easier for PASI (All Indonesian Athletics Association) Jember Regency to choose athletes who are eligible to compete in the PORPROV (Provincial Sports Week). This service method uses several stages including; (1) Preparation Stage, (2) Implementation Stage, (3) Evaluation and Reporting Stage. This service activity aims to facilitate the coaches and administrators of PASI (All Indonesian Athletics Association) Jember Regency in selecting athletic athletes to be prepared for the PORPROV (Provincial Sports Week) event. So that students have the motivation to be selected to join the Jember Regency contingent in facing the event.

The mediating roles of academic self-efficacy and learning interest in the relationship between teaching style and math behavior engagement among junior high school students in China.

Teacher guidance can positively impact students' learning interest and mathematical behavior engagement. As a crucial part of classroom teaching, effective teaching styles play an indispensable role in middle school students' mathematical behavior engagement. This study addresses the gap in understanding how different teaching styles influence junior high school students' math behavior engagement in China, by examining the underexplored mediating roles of academic self-efficacy and learning interest in this relationship, which are critical yet often overlooked factors in fostering student engagement and improving educational outcomes in mathematics. Students from grades 7 to 9 in six middle schools in Jiangsu Province, China participated in the survey. The results indicate that: (1) academic self-efficacy mediates the relationship between effective teaching styles (humorous and lively style, rigorous and logical style, caring and sharing style) and mathematical behavior engagement among Chinese middle school students; (2) math learning interest mediates the relationship between effective teaching styles (humorous and lively style, rigorous and logical style, caring and sharing style, innovative and exploratory style) and mathematical behavior engagement among Chinese middle school students. Recommendations include encouraging teachers to adopt diverse teaching styles that foster both self-efficacy and interest.

An Investigation on the Influence of Middle School Students' Grammar Learning Self-efficacy on Their Learning Performance

In middle school English teaching, grammar instruction has always been an important and challenging aspect. Due to the strong influence of grammar explanation in Chinese, learning English grammar may be affected by negative transfer from their native language, which could pose certain obstacles to English acquisition. Self-efficacy, as a major emotional factor influencing learners' internal regulation strategies, has attracted wide attention from researchers both domestically and internationally for its impact on learning performance. High self-efficacy helps learners develop a more positive mindset towards learning, thereby contributing to improved learning performance. Therefore, this study focuses on investigating the relationship between grammatical self-efficacy and learning performance of English grammar among middle school students. This research contributes to a complementary understanding of grammatical self-efficacy among educators, enhancing their teaching skills, and effectively guiding students to learn English grammar with a more positive and healthy mindset, presenting a future grammar instruction in middle school English teaching.

The meaning of life and its relationship to existential anxiety among middle school teachers

The current research aims to identify the meaning of life and its relationship to existential anxiety among middle school teachers. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher adopted the Wong scale to measure the meaning of life, and to build the existential anxiety scale. The researcher applied the two scales to a sample of 308 male and female teachers. The data were then analyzed using the computer program for the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results were: high level of meaning of life among the research sample, moderate level of existential anxiety among the research sample, no statistically significant differences according to the gender variable (males, females) in each of: meaning of life, existential anxiety, no statistically significant differences according to the variable of academic specialization (scientific specializations and humanities specializations) in each of: meaning of life, existential anxiety, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between the meaning of life and existential anxiety among middle school teachers. The research concluded by discussing the results and presenting some recommendations and suggestions.

The Managerial Competence of School Principals in Improving the Quality of Secondary Education

Improving student learning outcomes depends on teacher involvement in learning and the principal's good managerial competence in carrying out managerial functions in the school environment. This research aims to find information about the principal's plan to improve the quality of education in Banda Aceh City State Middle Schools and to describe the managerial function of school principals in enhancing the quality of education in Banda Aceh City State Middle Schools.This research uses a field research approach, namely research, where researchers go directly into the field to look for materials close to the truth. The study was conducted directly at State Middle Schools in Banda Aceh City, namely State Middle School 1 and State Middle School 12 in Banda Aceh City. The results of the research prove that the managerial competence possessed by school principals at SMPN 1 and SMPN 12 Banda Aceh City has so far been the basis or guide in the process of placing school principals, which is based on planning ability, organizing ability, ability to carry out school activities and ability to carry out supervision of every activity at school. School principals who have reliable managerial competence can influence progress in the educational environment, teacher performance, the effectiveness of school governance, and the achievement of better educational outcomes.

Innovative Design and Practical Exploration of Junior Middle School English Unit Teaching Under the Guidance of New Curriculum Standards

This paper aims to explore the innovative design and practice of junior middle school English unit teaching under the background of new curriculum standards. Under the guidance of the new curriculum standards, the establishment of unit teaching objectives should be guided by core literacy, focusing on cultivating students' ability and quality of doing things in English, and improving their language ability, cultural awareness, thinking quality and learning ability in the process of problem solving. When designing the unit teaching content, we should take the big concepts as the core, refine and focus on these big concepts according to the teaching objectives, and build the logical structure and timing structure of the teaching content around them, so as to effectively promote students' understanding of the big concepts. When arranging the unit teaching process, English practice should be taken as the path, and practical English teaching process should be built through project-oriented, task-based and activity-based design methods, so that students can achieve comprehensive improvement of core literacy in the complete English practice process.

Peningkatan Kepuasan Kerja Guru PNS SMP Negeri XYZ di Kota Karawang Melalui Lingkungan Kerja Fisik dan Motivasi Kerja

The decrease in absenteeism for civil servant teachers at state middle school. Reducing the level of teacher absenteeism can provide benefits especially for all students in pursuing education. The aim of this research in to investigate eforts to increase teacher job satisfaction ehich focuses on aspects of physical work environvement and work motivation. This research employs quantitative research methods involving 32 participants selected through a sampling technique known as saturation sampling, the data collection techniques used are literature study and field research. Data analysis was carried out by interoreting the calculation result table using SPSS version 26 from previously processed data. The result of this research show that simultaneously the physical work environment and work motivation have an influence on the job satisfaction of civil servant teachers at XYZ State Middle School in the city of Karawang.

Gender differences in the association between inter-generational interaction and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults

BackgroundInter-generational interaction is a carrier of Chinese traditional culture, and it can exert important influence on the depressive symptoms on Chinese older adults. The study aims to analyze gender differences in the association between inter-generational interaction and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults and explore factors contributing to the differences.MethodData from China Family Panel Studies in 2020 were used. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The latent class analysis was applied to identify patterns of inter-generational interaction of older adults (aged 60 and above). Before the comparison between older man and older woman, we used Coarsened Exact Matching to control confounding factors and improve causal inferences. Multiple linear regression was conducted to explore the association between inter-generational interaction and depression symptoms. Oaxaca-blinder decomposition method was used to analyze the gender difference and the sources.ResultOur study identified three types of inter-generational interaction: detached, nearby but discordant and two-way tight-knit. Analysis indicated that most of older man (54.39%) and older woman (49.78%) were in the type of nearby but discordant. Older man and older woman who in detached type had higher depression scores than other types, and the depression score of two-way tight-knit type accounted for 12.42 and 13.77 respectively. Our findings demonstrated that two-way tight-knit type (-11.89%) significantly decreased the gender differences in the depression symptoms. Other major contributors also included living without spouse (20.56%), primary school and junior middle school (15.95%), higher middle school and above (9.50%) and no illness for two weeks (47.70%).ConclusionOur study highlighted three patterns of inter-generational interaction, and most of older man and older woman were in the pattern of nearby but discordant. In addition, the two-way tight-knit pattern significantly can decrease gender differences in depression symptoms. The contributors should be taken into account in more targeted intervention strategies for narrowing gender differences in the depression symptoms, which could achieve a gender dividend in the era of China's aging population.

Analisis faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kesiapan siswa SMP dalam menghadapi ujian nasional berbasis komputer

Background: The Computer-Based National Examination (UNBK) is a form of evaluation implemented by the Indonesian government in order to measure the achievement of graduate competencies at certain levels of education. However, the implementation of UNBK also presents its own challenges for students, especially in terms of technological readiness and the ability to adapt to computer-based systems.. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of information technology and communication guidance, motivation, and understanding of computer use on the readiness of 9th grade students to deal with computer-based national examinations in SMP Negeri Se-Kecamatan Pajangan. Method: The type of this research is quantitative research, which is carried out in the Public Middle School in Pajangan Subdistrict, Bantul, DIY. The method of collecting data through a survey with a questionnaire, with a population of 464 and a sample of 210. The analysis technique of the study used a prerequisite test of descriptive analysis, normality, linearity, multicollinearity and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS 23. Findings: Simultaneous multiple linear regression test results obtained f count of 18,199 greater than f table of 2,65, then between information technology and communication guidance, motivation and understanding of computer use affect the readiness of 9th grade students in dealing with UBNK. Based on the results of this study, the authors suggest several things: (1) The Education Agency should propose that information and communication technology be re-incorporated into the curriculum structure, (2) Teachers are advised to motivate students to be better prepared to face the UNBK, (3) Students are advised to better understand computer usage and matters related to the implementation of UNBK.

Impact of Metaverse Technology on Academic Achievement and Motivation in Middle School Science

This study explores the effects of Metaverse technology on middle school learners’ academic performance and motivation in science subjects. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, 33 students in the experimental group were exposed to the Metaverse for one semester, while 32 students in the control group continued with traditional teaching methods at School 148 in Riyadh. Data collection instruments included a validated science achievement test and a motivation scale. The results demonstrated that the nodes were statistically significantly improved in the experimental group, receiving an average post-test score of 73.1, as compared with the control group, receiving an average post-test score of 65.9 (t = 2.3, p < 0.05). The scores in motivation were also slightly higher in the experimental group, with a mean of 26.9, as compared with the control group, with a mean of 17.1 (t = 5.75, p < 0.05). For academic achievement and motivation, the effect sizes were quite high: fixed effect = 1.091; random effect equals 1.086. These results demonstrate the possibilities of Metaverse technology in revolutionizing the way students learn science. This technology could be a valuable tool for instruction in science classes to enhance performances and influence students’ attitudes positively towards enhanced learning environments in schools.

Diagnosing middle school students’ proficiency in constructing scientific explanations with the integration of chemical reactions and patterns: a cognitive diagnostic modeling approach

ABSTRACT Scientific explanation has been widely recognised as one of the primary proficiencies in global science education. From research and practical perspectives, investigating the cognitive process of constructing scientific explanations by integrating core ideas is essential to make sense of phenomena or solve problems. This study applied the cognitive diagnosis modeling (CDM) approach to diagnose students’ cognitive patterns of constructing scientific explanations by integrating chemical reactions and patterns. We localised three well-designed assessment tasks and correspondingly developed five cognitive attributes. Responses from 244 Grade 9 students in two middle schools were collected, scored, and analyzed. Results show that the five developed cognitive attributes are reliable and effective in identifying students’ cognitive challenges in constructing scientific explanations in a content-specific domain. In addition, we articulated students’ potential cognitive process of constructing scientific explanations. We identified a primary cognitive pathway that students may follow: making correct claims, finding sufficient evidence based on data patterns, and providing scientific principles for the reasoning process. The cognitive diagnosis results could be used to guide teachers in selecting teaching materials and strategies and arranging lesson sequences to support the development of students’ scientific explanations by integrating chemical reactions and patterns.

Longitudinal associations between parents' job characteristics, parenting, and adolescent academic outcomes

AbstractObjectiveThis study sought to understand the prospective relationship between parents' jobs, parenting, and adolescents' subsequent school performance.BackgroundRecent research shows that parents' poor job quality and work–family conflict (WFC) are adversely associated with young people's mental health and socioemotional well‐being, with much less known about impacts on adolescents' academic outcomes.MethodWe used data from a nationally representative Australian cohort study to test a longitudinal model linking parents' job characteristics, WFC, and parenting warmth and irritability in early high school, and adolescents' academic achievement in middle high school. Separate models were run for mothers (N = 2,676) and fathers (N = 2,615), and additional multigroup models examined differences between low‐income and middle‐ and high‐income parents.ResultsFindings suggest that parents' WFC increases parenting irritability, which in turn is adversely associated with academic outcomes, particularly for low‐income mothers. Findings also showed that low‐income fathers' WFC was directly associated with poorer academic outcomes.ConclusionParents' WFC in early high school may affect adolescents' achievement in middle high school, with some risks compounded for low‐income households.ImplicationsThis study is among the first to establish a relationship between parents' WFC and adolescents' academic performance and highlights the importance of parents' job resources in supporting adolescent academic outcomes.

Exploring career interest and STEM self-efficacy: implications for promoting gender equity.

This study explores the relationship between career interests and self-efficacy in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among young girls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Employing a quantitative research design with a correlational approach, we utilize the S-STEM survey to measure changes in students' STEM subject efficacy and their interest in STEM careers. Our sample comprises 671 middle and high school female students from 49 schools, representing a diverse cross-section of the population. The findings indicate that female students exhibit high levels of STEM self-efficacy and have a strong preference for medicine as a career choice. While the overall interest in STEM careers among students is moderate, there are notable variations in interest across different STEM fields. Importantly, a positive and significant correlation was observed between female students' interest in STEM careers and their self-efficacy in STEM. This research holds important implications for the promotion of STEM education and careers among female students. By recognizing the unique context of Saudi Arabia and the perspectives of young girls in Riyadh, this study offers a fresh perspective on the factors influencing STEM career aspirations and highlights the importance of fostering self-efficacy beliefs among female students.

Green Campus Transformation in Smart City Development: A Study on Low-Carbon and Energy-Saving Design for the Renovation of School Buildings

In the context of increasingly deteriorating global ecological conditions and rising carbon emissions from buildings, campus architecture, as the primary environment for youth learning and living, plays a crucial role in low-carbon energy-efficient design, and green environments. This paper takes the case of Yezhai Middle School in Qianshan, Anhui Province, to explore wind environment optimization and facade energy-saving strategies for mountainous campus buildings under existing building stock renovation. In the context of smart city development, integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices into public infrastructure has become a key objective. Through wind environment simulations and facade energy retrofitting, this study reveals nonlinear increases in wind speed with building height and significant effects of ground roughness on wind speed variations. Adopting EPS panels and insulation layers in facade energy retrofitting reduces energy consumption for winter heating and summer cooling. The renovated facade effectively prevents cold air intrusion and reduces external heat gain, achieving approximately 24% energy savings. This research provides a scientific basis and practical experience for low-carbon energy retrofitting of other campus and public buildings, advancing the construction industry towards green and low-carbon development goals within the framework of smart city initiatives.

Moroccan Secondary School English Teacher’s Perception: Science and Literary Stream Students’ Performance

The study investigates the perceptions of Moroccan secondary school teachers regarding the academic performance of science and literary stream students aged 16 to 18. Through a combination of mail surveys, unstructured interviews with English teachers, and discourse analysis, the research identifies that English as the second foreign language in Moroccan schools influences the perceived advantages of science stream students over their literary counterparts. The findings align with a previous study and suggest that science students often pursue literary studies at Moroccan universities post-baccalaureate. The research delves into the distinctive characteristics of science stream students and proposes recommendations for governmental and ministerial reforms in the Moroccan educational system. The study underscores the historical incorporation of English in the Moroccan educational system since 1956 and highlights recent developments, such as the expansion of English language teaching to middle schools. It emphasises the impact of English language learning on students’ future orientations and tendencies in higher education. Ultimately, the study aims to draw attention to English teachers’ perceptions to facilitate positive changes in the Moroccan educational system, urging the education ministry and relevant authorities to consider reforms.

Parental control and adolescent social anxiety: A focus on emotional regulation strategies and socioeconomic influences in China.

An individual's social adaptation, which is influenced by both internalizing and externalizing factors, depends on social anxiety. We proposed that the connection between parental psychological control and social anxiety among middle school students was mediated by negative emotion response-focused strategies and moderated by socioeconomic status (SES). We collected data from 1343 Chinese students from 12 to 16 years old (M = 13.3, SD = 0.96) by applying the questionnaire of parental psychological control scale, social anxiety scale and negative emotion response-focused strategies scale. The findings demonstrated that parental psychological control, including father and mother psychological control, was positively associated with social anxiety and that the relationship between parental psychological control and children's social anxiety was mediated by negative emotion response-focused strategies. Meanwhile, SES played a moderating role in the relationship between children's negative emotion response-focused strategies and social anxiety. The findings also suggest that we should pay more attention to the psychological status and social interaction of children with lower SES.

The Impact of Epistemological Beliefs and School Climate on the Sustainability of Critical Thinking Dispositions in Middle School Students

The objective of this study is to ascertain whether school climate and students’ epistemological beliefs serve as predictors of sustainable critical thinking dispositions in middle school students. This research is designed as a correlational study. A total of 585 students from four middle schools in Çanakkale, Turkey, participated in the research. To this end, the researchers administered the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale, the Middle School Students’ Epistemological Belief Scale, and the School Climate Survey, gradually collecting the raw data. Following the collection of the data, they were subjected to analysis using multiple linear regression. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrated that the students’ critical thinking dispositions were significantly predicted by both epistemological beliefs and school climate. In other words, belief in the omniscient power of authority and quick learning were found to have a negative correlation with critical thinking, whereas belief in simple knowledge was observed to have an inverse positive relationship. The dimension of the school climate, relating to positive student–teacher relations, appeared to constitute a prospective positive predictor, while authoritarian student–teacher relations and the lack of resources were identified as the main negative classroom environment factors. The study highlights the complex mutual influence of individual beliefs and the learning environment in the development of critical thinking dispositions.

Leisure activities, substance use and psychological health among Hungarian adolescents

ABSTRACT During the past several decades, adolescents’ leisure has undergone several important changes due to, for example, alternative modes of entertainment, such as video gaming and social media which have had a significant influence on their well-being. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of adolescents’ leisure activities to their substance use and psychological health. Participants were middle and high school students (N = 2,239, aged between 12 and 18 years, M = 14.61 years, SD = 1.71; 51.8% females) using data drawn from the Szeged Youth Study 2022, Hungary. Peer-based leisure was positively associated with all types of substance use. Playing and gaming leisure showed a negative relationship with psychosomatic and depressive symptomatology. Aesthetic-sophisticated and family-based leisure proved the most beneficial for psychological health and health behaviour, and it was also the strongest predictor of adolescents’ life satisfaction. Arts, hobbies and internet use played a beneficial role.

The Application Effect of Human-Computer Interaction Learning Software in Assisting Middle School English Listening and Speaking Teaching

The Application Effect of Human-Computer Interaction Learning Software in Assisting Middle School English Listening and Speaking Teaching

Strengthening teacher competence through joyful learning and innovative learning media training

A needs assessment at Muhammadiyah Middle School 9 Tanggulangin revealed that teachers struggle with creating interactive learning environments and developing innovative teaching materials. To address these challenges, a training program was conducted to enhance teachers' pedagogical skills, creativity, and motivation. The program consisted of two key activities: joyful learning training and training in the development of creative and innovative learning media. The process included several stages: preparation (needs assessment, program design, material development, and pre-test), implementation (intensive training on joyful learning and innovative media development), and evaluation. The training involved 12 teachers (4 men and 8 women). The results showed significant improvements in teachers' understanding of joyful learning concepts and their ability to create creative and innovative learning materials. This program highlights the importance of adopting innovative and enjoyable teaching strategies to enhance teacher competence and improve student learning experiences. The initiative demonstrated that targeted training could effectively address the challenges teachers face, leading to better educational outcomes.