Vocational School Research Articles

The Research on Cultivating Pathways for Vocational High School Students' Professional Qualities

The demand structure for talent in today's society is undergoing significant changes. To meet regional economic development needs and achieve the goals of socialist modernization, there is an urgent need to transform the national industrial structure, which in turn drives the enhancement of technical skills among practitioners. Consequently, the vigorous development of vocational education has become a new focal point and endpoint in the current education system, with the cultivation of vocational skills in vocational high school students emerging as a critical issue. This paper, based on an in-depth analysis of the current status of vocational high school education and students' vocational skills in China, explores the existing problems within the current vocational education training system and proposes several improvement paths. The study highlights that despite progress in curriculum design, practical teaching, and teacher development, challenges remain, including an incomplete curriculum system, insufficient practical teaching, and inadequate evaluation mechanisms. To address these issues, the paper suggests strategies such as optimizing the curriculum system, reforming practical teaching, developing a high-quality teaching staff, and establishing a scientific evaluation and feedback mechanism to enhance students' vocational skills and improve the quality of vocational education. The research indicates that systematic reforms and innovations targeting vocational skills can significantly improve the comprehensive abilities of vocational high school students, laying a solid foundation for their career development.

Current Situation and Enhancement Strategies for Core Competency Development of Vocational High School Students

With the increasing demand for versatile talents in society, the development of core competencies in vocational high school students has become increasingly important. This paper aims to analyze the current state of core competencies development among vocational high school students, identify existing issues, and propose corresponding enhancement strategies. Through methods such as literature analysis, questionnaires, and interviews, this study examines the development of academic, vocational, and social competencies in vocational high school students, highlighting the current shortcomings. Based on the research findings, the paper suggests strategies for comprehensively improving students' core competencies through educational policy support, curriculum reform and innovation, professional development of teachers, school-enterprise collaboration, and support from families and society.

ENHANCING STUDENTS SPEAKING SKILL THROUGH DEMONSTRATION STRATEGY AT BHINNEKA NUSANTARA VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BEKASI

Enhancing Students Speaking Skill Through Demonstration Strategy at Bhinneka Nusantara Vocational School Bekasi. This research aims to improve the speaking skills of Bhinneka Nusantara Vocational High School students by using the demonstration method. The subject of this research was used for all students at Bhinneka Nusantara Vocational High School Bekasi. This research used the Classroom Action Research Method. A method whose implementation was carried out to find out problems in the learning process and steps that teachers could use to improve the quality of learning. The research instruments are observations, questionnaires, exercise, daily tests and interviews. The data obtained from this Classroom Action Research Method is in the form of student activity and learning outcomes in each cycle. After carrying out the action, processing/analysis is then carried out on the data obtained from carrying out the action. Therefore, from this data it can be concluded that the application of the demonstration method can improve the speaking skills of Bhinneka Nusantara Vocational High School students.

The Effect of Project Based Learning in Realizing Performing Arts on Entrepreneurial Motivation in Art Learning in Vocational School Students

The competence that must be possessed by Vocational School (VS) students is to be able to find business opportunities independently. Related to the subjects of art and culture, it is hoped that VS students have the motivation that can be carried out by the presence of performing arts in the form of performances that can be used as opportunities for entrepreneurship. Thus, VS students must have entrepreneurial motivation to have business opportunities in the arts and culture sector. One of the learning strategies that can be used is to use PBL. PBL can increase students' learning motivation and also facilitate students' problem-solving abilities. This study aimed to determine how the implementation of PBL in realizing performances and the influence of PBL on entrepreneurial motivation in art learning for VS students. The research method uses an experimental research method with a one-group pretest-posttest design. Participants in this study were 37 students in one of the VS in the Indramayu district, and the study was conducted using a systematic sampling technique. The research instrument used an entrepreneurial motivation questionnaire. Data analysis techniques using statistical descriptions and Paired-Sample T-Test. This study concludes that PBL affects VS students' entrepreneurial motivation in art learning. PBL can motivate students to reflect on what they learn in an actual project and provide opportunities for students to think and be creative when realizing a project in the arts and culture. Students can understand that in the performance, various job descriptions can be used for business opportunities or jobs in arts and culture to conduct further research with more participants so that the results of this study can be more generalized.

The prevalence, course, and risk factors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among students in vocational education

BackgroundWorldwide, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults. Given that suicide in this age group is common within vocational students, this study aims to provide insights into the prevalence, course, and risk factors of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) among students in vocational education over the past 10 years.MethodsThis study has a repeated cross-sectional design, utilizing data from 2013 to 2023 provided by the ‘Testjeleefstijl’ foundation in the Netherlands (‘Test Your Lifestyle’). In total, 101,182 students in vocational education completed a web-based standardized questionnaire. Univariate logistic regression was used to test the predictive value of risk factors separately (anxiety and depression, gender, age and school year) on SI and SA. In addition, a machine learning model (Berkelmans et al., 2023) ​was used for high-risk identification of combined risk factors (multivariate models).ResultsWithin vocational students, 12-month SI and SA prevalence increased from respectively 17.7% and 2.3% in schoolyear 2013–2014 to 23% and 3.2% in 2022–2023. Although female gender significantly predicted SI and SA in the univariate analyses, the multivariate models revealed that female gender decreased the likelihood of both SI (OR 0.9) and SA (OR 0.7). A high risk for anxiety and depression was the strongest predictor in the multivariate models for SI (OR 42.8) and SA (OR 19.0).ConclusionOver the past decade, the prevalence of SI and SA increased in students in vocational education, with the risk of anxiety and depression being the strongest contributing factor. While females had a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression, the results suggest these conditions tend to lead to SI and SA more quickly among male students. Early intervention in suicide prevention is crucial, highlighting the need to identify and address anxiety and depression. Vocational education schools have a critical role in this, emphasizing early screening and intervention, with specific attention to gender-specific factors.

Development of OLMP Model Teaching Modules on SPLTV Material to Improve Students’ Creative Thinking Skills

Learning in the classroom that does not utilize media optimally causes the class to be boring, inhibits independence, and limits students from seeking knowledge. Apart from that, students’ creative thinking abilities in Indonesia are generally still relatively low. Therefore, come up with the idea of ​​outdoor learning to develop students’ creativity. The aim of this research is to describe the process and results of developing OLMP model teaching modules on SPLTV material to improve students’ creative thinking abilities. This type of research is development using a 4D model. The data collection methods used are observation, questionnaires, tests, interviews and documentation. The subjects of this research were 4 classes of class X students at IBU Vocational School for the 2023/2024 academic year. Based on the research stages that have been carried out, it can be explained that a teaching module has been successfully developed which has gone through the stages of definition, design, development and distribution. Then it can also be said that the teaching module that has been developed is suitable for use. This is reinforced by the mean value of the three validators of 87.45%.

Persepsi Peserta Didik Terhadap Penggunaan Teknologi Pembelajaran Pada Mata Pelajaran Seni Budaya di Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Negeri 2 Kupang

This study aims to reveal students' perceptions of the use of learning technology in the subject of Arts and Culture at State Vocational High School 2 Kupang. The research method used is descriptive qualitative with data collection through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of the study indicate that most students have a positive perception of the use of learning technology. Students feel more interested, motivated, and easy to understand learning materials. However, there are several obstacles encountered, such as limited access to technology and lack of teacher skills in using technology. This study concludes that the use of learning technology has great potential to improve the quality of Arts and Culture learning at State Vocational High School 2 Kupang. The effectiveness of the use of technology in the context of arts and culture learning and provides recommendations for teachers and schools in integrating technology optimally. The main challenges in the use of learning technology are the lack of adequate infrastructure, lack of training for teachers, and lack of variation in the use of technology. To overcome these challenges, efforts need to be made to improve technological infrastructure, ongoing training for teachers, and the development of more varied technology-based learning materials.

Development of a Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory (GISL) Based Health Chemistry Practicum Module

Chemistry practicum learning requires a comprehensive approach, which improves understanding of concepts and develops various essential skills needed in the professional and academic world. This research aims to develop a Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory-based Health Chemistry module and conduct empirical feasibility tests. This module is designed with a guided inquiry approach integrated with scientific methods in laboratory activities. The practicum module was developed for second-grade vocational school students in health expertise with material covering colloids, hydrocarbons, polymers, biomolecules, and chemical separation. This development research uses the Borg and Gall model, which consists of planning, organizing, implementing, assessing, and analyzing data. This research was only carried out to the validation stage by material experts, media experts, peer reviewers, and reviewers (five Health Vocational School teachers). The assessment carried out by the reviewer includes eight assessment aspects with 30 assessment indicators. Data was collected through questionnaires, observations, and interviews. Data analysis was carried out descriptively, quantitatively, and qualitatively, guided by ideal assessment criteria to determine the quality of the practicum module. The research results show that the Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory (GISL) based Health Chemistry practicum module that has been developed has a score of 132.52 with an ideal percentage of 88.3467% in the very good (SB) category. This indicates that this module is suitable for use in health chemistry practicum learning, and it is hoped that this research can be continued at the next stage.

Bimbingan Teknis Akuntansi Pemerintahan dengan Modul dan Kertas Kerja Praktik Bagi Guru dan Siswa SMK Negeri 3 Padang

Understanding Government Accounting concepts is a competency that must be mastered by teachers and students at Vocational High Schools (SMK) as a basis for carrying out learning activities, especially in the field of Government Accounting. In its implementation, it is still necessary to improve the understanding of teachers and students related to the concept of Government Accounting. SMK Negeri 3 Padang, which is a partner in this service, faces obstacles in understanding Government Accounting. This service aims to provide understanding and skills to teachers and students at SMK Negeri 3 Padang about government accounting through technical guidance activities by making practical work modules for teachers and students in accordance with applicable government accounting standards in Indonesia. Activities carried out in this technical guidance are discussions, making modules and practical work on Government Accounting, technical guidance and training, as well as more in-depth mentoring of teachers and students. The results showed that there was an increase in participants' understanding from 70% to 90% based on the tests conducted. With this activity, it is expected to improve the competence of teachers and accounting students of SMK Negeri 3 Padang related to Government Accounting.

IMPACT OF APPRENTICESHIP ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION GRADUATES

Over time, it has been proven that the most effective way to train specialists, especially for the 3-5 qualification level, is by involving the trainees in practical activities carried out within economic entities, giving them the opportunity to learn in real working conditions . In this article, we aim to address the apprenticeship and their impact on the students graduating from vocational technical education from the perspective of their employment after graduation. The research methods used were quantitative (1286 respondents) involving final year students from 13 educational institutions (5 - centers of excellence, 1 - college, 7 - vocational schools). The questioning of the respondents focused on the students' appreciation of the quality and relevance of internships within the economic entities, as well as topics aimed at their opportunity to engage in the labor field. Given the subject under investigation, we believe that the results included in this article will be of great interest to representatives of educational institutions, economic entities, as well as researchers in the field.

Practice of Moral Education in Secondary Vocational Schools Based on Class Culture Construction

Class culture construction is a pivotal component of moral education in vocational schools, playing a significant role in shaping students’ personal qualities and enhancing their awareness of social responsibility and collective consciousness. This study proposes a range of strategies for integrating class culture construction into vocational moral education practice, aiming to foster students’ comprehensive development and effective moral education implementation. The research highlights that class culture, as a fundamental aspect of school culture, not only provides a supportive learning environment but also subtly influences students’ moral qualities, behavior, and values. Through the development of material, institutional, and spiritual culture, this approach creates a positive and harmonious class atmosphere, thereby improving students’ overall educational experience. Additionally, strengthened teacher-student interaction and home-school cooperation further support students’ moral growth. This approach not only enhances students’ core competencies but also cultivates their sense of social responsibility and civic awareness, establishing a solid foundation for their future development.

Influence of VIVO Mobile Brand Sponsorship of Sports Events on Consumer Purchase Intention

Effective sports sponsorship necessitates consideration of multiple factors. Previous scholars have primarily focused on the brand assets of sponsors and enhancement of the reputation that sponsoring brings to businesses. There has been limited exploration from the perspective of sports events themselves in terms of brand assets and the direct impact of these assets on sponsor audience purchase intention. This research aims to analyze the influences of VIVO mobile brand sponsorship including brand assets, brand fit, and audience engagement of sports events on consumer purchase intention. The research framework was laid on the stimulus-organism-response model. The sample size was 400 audience who attended the 22nd FIFA World Cup held in Guangzhou, China. Statistics used to analyze data were descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation; and inferential statistics including independent samples t-test, One-way ANOVA, LSD, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regression at the statistical significance level of 0.05. The results found that most of the respondents were male, married, aged 25-35 years old, educational level high school or vocational school, had monthly income of 5,000-10,000 yuan, and company employee. The hypotheses results found that age and occupation affect consumer purchase intention. Event brand assets including event brand image and event brand awareness has positive relation with consumer purchase intention with multiple correlation (R) = .566. The ability to predict the analytical equation is 31.70%. Brand fit and audience engagement influenced consumer purchase intention with correlation (R) = 0.485 and 0.469 accordingly. Keywords: brand assets, brand fit, audience engagement, purchase intention, sports sponsorship

Construction and Validation of a Survey on the Technological Difficulties in Italian Secondary Schools: The Mathematics Teacher Case

(1) Background: This study explores the technological difficulties of mathematics teachers in Italian secondary schools, focusing on the factors that influence their ability to integrate technology in teaching. (2) Methods: A questionnaire was developed and administered to a pilot group of 45 mathematics teachers from vocational secondary schools in Sicily and Veneto, followed by a larger survey with 557 mathematics teachers across Italy. The structural model was analysed using the maximum likelihood method via AMOS software (v.22 SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). (3) Results: The results highlight the importance of personal commitment in the school context and students’ problem-solving skills as key factors influencing the teachers’ technological challenges. The findings also indicate dissatisfaction with the school institution and families, as well as personal resistance to using information and communication technologies (ICT) in more advanced educational activities. (4) Conclusions: The study underscores the significant impact of these technological difficulties on teachers’ effectiveness in fostering students’ problem-solving abilities, calling attention to the need for better institutional support and strategies to reduce resistance to ICT use in education.

Teachers’ Beliefs in Education for Sustainable Development and Senior Students’ Green Entrepreneurial Intentions in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China: The Moderating Effect of Teachers’ Legacy Motivation and Digital Competence

Teachers’ beliefs are the main factors that promote students’ growth, and are related to students’ green entrepreneurship. Therefore, using 283 paired samples of teachers and senior students from 12 higher vocational schools in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, the relationship between teachers’ beliefs in education for sustainable development and vocational students’ green entrepreneurial intentions, as well as the facilitating effects of teachers’ legacy motivation and digital competence, were investigated. The results confirm for the first time that teachers’ sustainability beliefs are positively related to senior students’ green entrepreneurial intentions in Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, that there is no facilitating effect of teachers’ legacy motivation, and that there is a facilitating effect of teachers’ digital competence. This suggests that senior students in Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China need not only teachers’ sustainability beliefs but also the combination with teachers’ overall competence to adequately facilitate the development of their green entrepreneurial intentions.

Examination as knowledge development: A case study from vocational education and training

Post-graduate and further education can easily be overlooked as a contribution to collective knowledge and practice development in a field of practice. An overarching theme of this article is how the organisation of a post-graduate and further education initiative can influence collective knowledge in vocational education and training. This article aims to inquire about what teachers and school managers in vocational education and training experience with an examination format where the teachers conduct a university exam at their school, with their management as audience and potential participants. This case study is based on qualitative data from four focus group interviews with teachers and five focus group interviews with school managers at five vocational training schools. The teachers participated in the ‘Vocational Teacher Training Initiative programme’ (YFL) in Norway. ‘The third space’ is used as the overarching theoretical framework. Through a thematic content analysis, the findings were crystalised into three categories. 1) The examination format facilitated a proximity to practice. 2) Knowledge sharing appeared as concrete actions. 3) The examination format revealed new possibilities for co-creation with higher education. The result is that the examination format seemed to function as a bridge between conventional teaching practices in higher education and collective development in vocational education and training. Minor changes in the examination format appeared to open the door to what is termed ‘a third space’ between higher education and schools.

Sosialisasi Pengenalan Laporan Keuangan Sederhana dan Kewirausahaan untuk Meningkatkan Literasi Keuangan Bagi Generasi Z di SMK Satrya Budi Perdagangan

This outreach program aims to increase financial literacy among Generation Z students at Satrya Budi Trade Vocational School through the introduction of simple financial reports and entrepreneurship. In the digital era which is characterized by easy access to information, understanding personal financial management and entrepreneurship is very important. This activity involves interactive presentations, financial recording simulations, and group discussions to provide hands-on experience to students. The evaluation results showed an increase in students' understanding of financial and entrepreneurship concepts, with participants being successful in answering evaluation questions well. With this program, it is hoped that students can develop the skills needed to manage finances and start a business in the future.

Upaya Peningkatan Kepuasan Kerja Guru SMK Islam Miftahul Huda Berbasis Lingkungan Kerja Fisik dan Non Fisik

An upsurge in the rate of teacher absences at Miftahul Huda Islamic Vocational School occurred during the academic year 2022-2023, necessitating an evaluation and enhancement of the school's infrastructure. Enhancing teacher job satisfaction yields numerous advantages for both teachers and students, particularly in the context of teaching and learning activities. The objective of this study is to examine endeavours to enhance teacher job happiness by concentrating on several elements of the work environment, encompassing both tangible and intangible factors. This research is characterised as quantitative and involved a total of 34 respondents. The sampling technique used was saturation sampling. The data gathering process involves the utilisation of library research and field research methodologies, along with data analysis methods such as descriptive and associative approaches. Data analysis involves the interpretation of the output table generated by the SPSS version 26 programme. This table is derived from previously processed data. The findings of this study indicate that both the tangible and intangible aspects of the work environment have a simultaneous impact on job satisfaction at Miftahul Huda Islamic Vocational School.

Development and effectiveness of short video tutorials in basic turning learning to enhance students' cognitive ability

This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of short tutorial videos in teaching the essential operation of lathe machines in mechanical engineering. Utilizing the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), the research was conducted at SMK N 1 Sumatera Barat, involving 65 vocational school students. The short tutorial videos were designed to enhance students' comprehension and cognitive ability in lathe machine operations, addressing the challenges posed by traditional teaching methods. Data were collected through questionnaires and practical tests to assess students' understanding and skills. The findings revealed that the short tutorial videos significantly improved students' comprehension and cognitive ability, although variations in understanding levels were observed. Normality tests confirmed a normal data distribution, allowing for the use of paired sample t-tests, which indicated no significant difference between the Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Mechanical Engineering groups after using the tutorials. Validation by media and content experts demonstrated the high quality and relevance of the instructional material. This study underscores the importance of developing more interactive and adaptive learning media and highlights the need to explore further other factors influencing cognitive ability.

Developing Models for Measuring and Evaluating Success in Vocational and Professional Education and Training. An Empirical Study

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of vocational high schools by developing and applying a comprehensive assessment instrument. The focus was on the actual processes occurring within these institutions, rather than solely relying on document-based evaluations. By analyzing factors affecting school performance, constructing a valid instrument, and conducting a thorough evaluation, the study found that the investigated vocational high schools demonstrated satisfactory performance in general management and academic management. Most of the evaluations of education, training and performance carried out in vocational high schools focus on documents or passive data, rather than on the processes taking place in the secondary schools themselves. Recognizing the need to study precisely these processes, this study focuses on the performance evaluation of secondary schools. The study begins with the identification of constructs and the development of instruments to assess the performance of vocational high schools. Based on the problems found in the field, before conducting the evaluation, the researcher must first develop the evaluation tool through three stages of development. The first one is to analyze the concepts related to evaluation by examining the factors affecting the performance of vocational high schools. In the second, instrument development and instrument analysis (content validation of selected criteria) are conducted with the help of experts. The third one, entailed a rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of vocational secondary schools. Based on the evaluation findings, the investigated vocational high schools demonstrated commendable performance in both general management and academic management.

The Effect Students Recording Project as the Learning Material of the Roleplay Technique toward Students Speaking Skill

Speaking is a very important skill for students, and role-playing is recommended to improve it. This study investigated how role-playing exercises supported by video recordings affect students' speaking ability in various contexts. This study involved 24 students in a vocational school in Karawang as the research sample using a pre-experimental method of one group pre-test and post-test design. The results of t-test for each speaking component were obtained using SPSS. Pronunciation has p-value of 0.698 > 0.050, grammar 0.775 > 0.050, vocabulary 0.775 > 0.050, fluency 0.673 > 0.050, and comprehension 0.350 > 0.050. With an average pre-test score of 52.43 and a post-test score of 73.06, this study concluded that role-playing exercises, when supported by video recordings, significantly improve students' overall speaking ability. The findings in this study were that many students were more interested in using the role-playing method with a video record of their project. Where they can see directly the results of their role play, and discuss together the aspects of speaking that are still lacking.