Digital transformation in education requires madrassas to integrate digital media effectively without losing Islamic values. This study aims to analyze the influence of the use of digital media on student motivation, involvement, and understanding in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning and explain the factors that influence it. The research uses a mixed methods approach with a Sequential Explanatory design. Quantitative data was collected through a questionnaire from 150 students, analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Qualitative data were obtained through learning observations, in-depth interviews with three PAI teachers, and eight students who were selected purposively (top cases and bottom cases). The results showed that the use of digital media had a positive and significant effect on motivation (β=0.689), engagement (β=0.710), and student understanding (β=0.708). Digital media has been shown to be effective in increasing behavioral and emotional engagement, but cognitive engagement is varied and highly dependent on teacher scaffolding and student characteristics. The role of teachers in planning and managing digital media-based learning is a key factor in success, while technical barriers, time constraints, and differences in students' initial abilities are the main challenges. This study recommends strengthening teachers' pedagogical competence in designing post-media activities and providing adequate infrastructure to support more adaptive and equitable digital media-based PAI learning.
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