<![CDATA[This study aims to examine the extent to which the intensity of face-to-face group discussions within the deep learning approach contributes to the cognitive engagement of eighth-grade students at SMPN 1 Kebonagung. This study employed a quantitative approach with a causal-associative research design. The research population consisted of 96 students from three classes, namely VIII D, VIII E, and VIII F. However, only 85 students completed all stages of data collection and were therefore determined as the research sample. The independent variable, namely group discussion intensity, was measured using a Likert-scale questionnaire, while the dependent variable, namely cognitive engagement, was measured using teacher observation sheets and peer assessment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, including descriptive statistics, normality testing, linearity testing, and simple linear regression analysis. The findings indicate that group discussion intensity has a positive and significant effect on students' cognitive engagement, as indicated by a significance value of 0.048, which is below 0.05. The coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.336 indicates that group discussion intensity accounts for 33.6% of the variation in students' cognitive engagement, while the remaining 66. Other variables beyond the scope of this study influence 4%. In conclusion, the more intensive the group discussions during learning, the higher the students' level of cognitive engagement.]]>
