Research and Development in Education (RaDEn)
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): December

Integrating project-based and experiential learning for lower secondary competencies: A mixed-methods study

Siti Zaenab (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia)
Lise Chamisijatin (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia)
S. Sukarsono (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia)
Diani Fatmawati (College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, South Korea)



Article Info

Publish Date
19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Project-Based Learning (PjBL) is widely promoted for fostering higher-order thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving, yet its application in lower secondary schools often encounters issues of fluctuating motivation and uneven engagement. This study examined the effectiveness of a PjBL model explicitly structured through Experiential Learning phases in enhancing Grade 8 students’ cognitive, affective, and psychomotor competencies at SMP Muhammadiyah 02 Batu, Indonesia, and explored its implementation across six subjects and students’ perceptions of their learning. Using a mixed-methods Concurrent Triangulation design, 12 teachers joined a professional development workshop before six “model teachers” designed and implemented PjBL units aligned with Kolb’s cycle (experiencing–reflecting–thinking–acting). Data were obtained from teacher knowledge tests, student pre- and post-tests, attitude and skill ratings, student perception and experience questionnaires, and systematic classroom observations, and were analyzed descriptively and thematically. Teacher understanding improved (mean score 8.0 to 9.0/10), and students’ knowledge increased in Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Indonesian Language, and Arts & Culture, with skills averaging 73–80 and most attitudes rated A or B. Students strongly agreed that PjBL improved collaboration but reported limited consistent reading of project materials. Overall, the integrated model enhanced multiple competence dimensions and was positively received, though stronger support for self-regulated learning and more rigorous future research designs is recommended.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

raden

Publisher

Subject

Education

Description

Research and Development in Education is a scientific journal that aims at publishing research results and review in Research and Development of education in various science fields. Research and Development results can be in classroom-oriented, product-oriented, and system-oriented perspectives ...