Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026)

Problem-Based Learning with a Deep Learning Orientation in Elementary Science and Social Studies: Fostering Conceptual Understanding and Student Engagement in Grade IV

Rini Ramadan (Universitas Tadulako)
Rizal Rizal (Universitas Tadulako)
Pahriadi Pahriadi (Universitas Tadulako)
Nashrullah Nashrullah (Universitas Tadulako)
Muhammad Nazimuddin AL Kamil (Universitas Tadulako)
Surahman Wilade (Universitas Tadulako)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Apr 2026

Abstract

Conventional, teacher-centered instruction in Indonesian elementary classrooms frequently results in surface-level understanding and limited student engagement, particularly in Integrated Science and Social Studies (IPAS). Addressing this gap, this study examined the implementation of a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model oriented toward a Deep Learning approach—encompassing mindful, meaningful, and joyful learning—in Grade IV IPAS instruction. A Classroom Action Research design was employed across two cycles involving 20 fourth-grade students at SDN Lahuafu, Morowali Regency, during the 2025/2026 academic year. Data were collected through structured classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, a 23-item Likert-scale questionnaire (α = 0.87), and learning outcome tests, and analyzed using Miles and Huberman's interactive model alongside descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that students progressed from passive reception to active contextual reasoning, demonstrating the capacity to analyze and justify conceptual distinctions in real-life contexts. The student response questionnaire yielded an aggregate score of 91% ("Very Good"), with narrow score distribution (103–106) across all participants. These outcomes confirm that PBL, when deliberately oriented toward Deep Learning principles, promotes conceptual depth, collaborative inquiry, and positive affective engagement in primary learners. The findings offer evidence-based guidance for implementing student-centered, inquiry-driven IPAS instruction aligned with the Merdeka Curriculum.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jirpe

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Other

Description

Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education (JIRPE) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes original research and review articles primarily but limited to the area of elementary school education. It brings together academics and researchers from different countries who ...