MADIUN, JurnalPost.com — Social Studies (IPS) instruction at SMP Negeri 14 Madiun has been enhanced through the implementation of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model combined with the use of digital media. This approach was applied to seventh-grade students to strengthen social skills and social literacy, while simultaneously improving learning outcomes.
The implementation of this problem-based learning model is part of a study conducted by Irvan Bintar Kalahari as a final project for the S2 Social Studies Education Program at Universitas PGRI Madiun.
The research was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Sudarmiani, M.Pd., and Dr. Nurhadji Nugraha, S.Pd., M.M.
Through the PBL model, students are given the opportunity to engage more actively in the learning process. They do not merely receive material from the teacher but are guided to identify, analyze, and seek solutions to various social issues related to their daily lives.
Students Learn Through Real-World Problems
During the learning process, students are divided into groups. Each group is assigned a problem relevant to the social studies curriculum to examine together.
Students then gather information from various sources, including digital media, engage in discussions, formulate alternative solutions, and present their findings in front of the class.
This approach ensures that the learning process is not solely teacher-centered. Students have greater space to ask questions, express opinions, evaluate information, and draw conclusions based on group discussions.
The use of digital media has become an essential part of these learning activities.
Various digital information sources are utilized to help students obtain data and broaden their understanding of the issues being discussed. Technology is also leveraged to make the learning process more interactive while training students' abilities to search for and select information.
Strengthening Student Social Skills
Beyond improving understanding of social studies material, the application of PBL is also aimed at strengthening students' social skills.
Discussion and group work activities provide opportunities for students to learn how to communicate, collaborate, delegate tasks, respect the opinions of others, and take responsibility for agreed-upon work.
These abilities are a crucial part of the social studies learning process because students are not only required to understand social concepts theoretically but also to apply them in daily interactions.
The strengthening of social skills is also linked to social literacy.
Students are guided to understand various phenomena in society more critically, filter relevant information, and connect learning materials with real-world issues occurring around them.
With this approach, social studies becomes more contextual because students do not just memorize material but also learn to understand the relationship between the concepts studied and social reality.
Conducted in Two Learning Cycles
The implementation of PBL and digital media at SMP Negeri 14 Madiun was carried out in two cycles.
Cycle I was conducted on 15 June 2026, while Cycle II took place on 18 June 2026.
Executing the study through two cycles allowed the researcher to observe student progress from the initial stage to subsequent learning applications.
The research results indicate an improvement in student learning outcomes after the PBL model was applied.
The class average score, which was 65.3 at the pre-cycle stage, increased to 72.2 in Cycle I. In Cycle II, the average score increased further to 79.5.
The level of learning mastery also showed significant development.
At the initial stage, the percentage of learning mastery was 43.3 percent. After the learning implementation reached Cycle II, the mastery level increased to 86.7 percent.
These results indicate that the majority of students experienced an improvement in academic achievement during the research process.
Communication and Collaboration Become More Active
The improvement is visible not only in learning outcomes but also in students' social skills.
During group activities, students showed progress in communication, collaboration, and social responsibility.
They became increasingly active in expressing opinions, discussing with group members, and completing assigned tasks collectively.
This situation demonstrates that the problem-based learning model can provide space for students to develop cognitive abilities as well as skills in interacting with others.
Based on the research findings, the PBL model is considered a viable alternative approach for social studies to improve both learning outcomes and student social skills.
The use of digital media also supports learning by helping students obtain broader information and increasing their engagement in the learning process.
Through the application of this approach, social studies instruction is not directed solely toward academic achievement.
The learning process can also serve as a means to shape students who are capable of communicating, collaborating, thinking critically, and possessing concern for various social issues occurring in their surroundings.
The learning model combining PBL and digital media is expected to serve as an alternative for presenting social studies that is more active, contextual, and relevant to the needs of students in the digital era.
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