The Influence of the Numbered Heads Together Technique on the Learning Activeness of Grade IX Students in Christian Religious Education and Character Formation at SMP Negeri 2 Sipoholon
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Active participation is a key determinant of meaningful learning, yet Christian Religious Education (CRE) in Indonesia often remains teacher-centred, leaving students passive and reliant on memorization. This undermines the holistic goal of CRE, which seeks to integrate cognitive, moral, and spiritual formation. The Numbered Heads Together (NHT) cooperative learning model was introduced as an alternative strategy to enhance classroom activeness by promoting accountability, peer collaboration, and responsibility. This study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group pretest–posttest structure. The research was conducted at SMP Negeri 2 Sipoholon during the 2025/2026 academic year. The sample consisted of two intact Grade IX classes: IX-4 as the experimental group (n = 26) and IX-3 as the control group (n = 28), selected through purposive sampling (total N = 54). Data were collected using a validated 32-item activeness questionnaire, complemented by classroom observations and documentation. Statistical analysis included normalized gain (N-Gain) calculations, assumption checks, and an independent-samples t-test at a 0.05 significance level. The experimental group achieved a mean N-Gain of 0.7403 (high improvement), compared to 0.1610 (low improvement) in the control group. Inferential testing confirmed significant differences, t(52) = 12.859, p < .001. Observations revealed that students in the NHT group demonstrated greater participation, reflective questioning, and collaborative problem solving. Findings confirm that NHT significantly enhances learning activeness in CRE by fostering accountability, peer engagement, and responsibility. Despite requiring teacher preparation and time, NHT aligns with the character-building goals of Indonesian education and provides a practical strategy for revitalizing CRE classrooms.
Institution: Institut Agama Kristen Negeri Tarutung
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7219988024