DIJEE

Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition: A Study on the Impact of Crossword Puzzle Learning Media in an EFL Context

2025-03-07T02:55:46+07:00

Vocabulary mastery is essential in English language learning. The lack of English words in students’ memory will hinder them in communication. This research aims to determine the effect of crossword puzzle media on improving the vocabulary skills to the eighth-grade students of a junior high school in Aceh Tengah. The study was conducted by using experimental research, and carried out on two groups: the experimental and the control. A population of 120 eight-grade students were selected, and the sample were class VIII-1 and class VIII-2 consisting 32 students in each functioning as the control group and experimental group respectively. The results indicated that the average score of the experimental class exceeded that of the control class. This showed that the experimental class performed better than the control class. The results of the t-test revealed that the calculated t-value was greater than the table t-value (2.13 > 1.99). With a significance level of 5% and 38 degrees of freedom, this means that the null hypothesis (H0) is rejected and the alternative hypothesis (Ha) is accepted. In other words, this learning media has a positive effect during English language learning.

The Evolution of Education in Indonesia: A Study of the 2013 Curriculum, the Independent Curriculum, and Inclusive Education in the Digital Era

2025-03-07T02:55:46+07:00

Education plays a crucial role in shaping a competitive and competent generation. Indonesia has undergone several curriculum reforms to align with global and societal needs, with the 2013 Curriculum (K-13) and the Independent Curriculum (Merdeka Curriculum) being the most relevant in the past decade. This study explores the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at SMK Negeri 3 Aceh Barat through a qualitative approach, employing semi-structured interviews with a Bahasa Indonesia teacher to analyze its application, challenges, and effectiveness. Findings reveal that while the Merdeka Curriculum offers greater autonomy in learning design and differentiation in instruction, its implementation faces significant obstacles, particularly regarding technological infrastructure. The lack of access to digital tools and internet connectivity hinders the optimal use of technology-based learning, especially in rural areas. Additionally, teachers require continuous professional development to effectively integrate digital resources into inclusive education. Despite these challenges, differentiation in the Merdeka Curriculum enables a more personalized learning experience, allowing students to engage with content suited to their interests and career aspirations, particularly in vocational high schools.

Gamification in EFL Classrooms: Enhancing Motivation and Engagement Through Play-Based Learning

2025-04-21T04:10:37+07:00

This paper explores the use of gamification as a teaching approach to stimulate interest and participation in the learning of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This study attempts to conduct a systematic review of literature towards the ‘theoretical’ aspects of gamification to conduct a linkage with the existing motivational theories in educational psychology, given the attention that game-based components can shift the learning paradigm. It also analyzes the application of gamification in different contexts of EFL teaching and presents various games aimed at facilitating language learning. Furthermore, the paper compiles the most important findings from the available literature that studies the impact of gamification on some major affective and cognitive aspects of EFL learners, such as their motivation, participation, and even enjoyment of the learning process. In addition to the benefits of the study, there is a discussion of important issues and possible complications teachers face when trying to design and systematically implement gamification in instruction. This will lead the study to address educational objectives and the multiple needs of learners. Moreover, this study seeks to describe the complete and arguably unbiased assessment concerning the potential of gamification approaches to enrich interactivity and immersion and enhance EFL teaching and learning processes within the context of provoked changes in language education in the twenty-first century, while considering the intricacies of its effective implementation.