The Effectiveness Of Project-Based Learning In Improving Reading Comprehension Of 7th Grade Students Junior High School At Sumbawa Besar
Keywords:
Project-Based Learning, Reading Comprehension, Descriptive Text, Mixed Methods
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Project-Based Learning (PjBL) in improving students’ reading comprehension among seventh-grade students Junior High School at Sumbawa Besarin the 2025/2026 academic year. The study employed a mixed-methods approach using a quasi-experimental design with a control and an experimental class, each consisting of 32 students selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected through pre-test and post-test reading comprehension tests, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using normality tests, homogeneity tests, an independent samples t-test, and thematic analysis. The results showed that the data were normally distributed and homogeneous, and the independent samples t-test produced a significance value of 0.001 < 0.05, indicating that Project-Based Learning significantly improved students’ reading comprehension. The qualitative findings also revealed increased engagement, motivation, vocabulary development, and collaboration among students. Therefore, Project-Based Learning is recommended as an effective approach to enhance students’ reading comprehension and create more active learning experiences.
References
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Sah, F., Naura Sasikirana, H., & Pujiani, T. (2024). The implementation of project-based learning in developing 21st Century skills in EFL class. Jadila: Journal of Development and Innovation in Language and Literature Education, 4(4), 257–272. https://doi.org/10.52760/jadila.v4i4.797
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Smith, K., Maynard, N., Berry, A., Stephenson, T., Spiteri, T., Corrigan, D., Mansfield, J., Ellerton, P., & Smith, T. (2022). Principles of problem-based learning (PBL) in STEM Education: Using expert wisdom and research to frame educational practice. Education Sciences, 12(10), 728. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12100728
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A Review of Research on Project-Based Learning. Autodesk Foundation.
Tseng, K.-H., Chang, C.-C., Lou, S.-J., & Chen, W.-P. (2011). Attitudes towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in a project-based learning (pjbl) environment. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 23(1), 87–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-011-9160-x
Ahmad, M. (2021). Management of project-based learning model at Sekolah Alam Junior High School. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 13(2), 1152–1159. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v13i2.486
Alyousef, H. S. (2006). Teaching reading comprehension to ESL/EFL learners. Journal of Language and Learning, 5, 63–73.
Beckett, G. H., & Slater, T. (2018). Project‐Based learning and technology. The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118784235.eelt0427
Bender, W. N. (2012). Project-based learning: Differentiating instruction for the 21st century (1st Edition). Corwin Press.
Boss, S., & Larmer, J. (2018). Project-Based Learning: Sustaining the Doing, Supporting the Learning. PBLWorks (Buck Institute for Education).
Calalb, M. (2023). The constructivist principle of learning by being in physics teaching. Athens Journal of Education, 10(1), 139–152. https://doi.org/10.30958/aje.10-1-8
Carrell, P. L., & Eisterhold, J. C. (1983). Schema theory and ESL reading pedagogy. TESOL Quarterly, 17(4), 553. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586613
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2017). Research Methods in Education. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage.
Darmayanti, A., Nugroho, D. Y., & Atikah, C. (2024). Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila dengan implementasi kebijakan Merdeka Belajar. Journal of Education Research, 5(3), 2573–2581. https://doi.org/10.37985/jer.v5i3.1018
Derewianka, B. (2016). Exploring How Texts Work (2nd edition). Primary English Teaching Association Australia.
Gerot, L., & Wignell, P. (1995). Making sense of functional grammar: An introductory workbook. Antipodean Educational Enterprises.
Grabe, W., & Stoller, F. L. (2019). Teaching and Researching Reading (3rd edition). Routledge.
Himmi, N., Armanto, D., & Amry, Z. (2025). Implementation of Project-Based Learning (PJBL) in Mathematics Education: A systematic analysis of international practices and Theoretical Foundations. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 26(2), 4305–4321. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.25.or699
Hoover, W. A., & Gough, P. B. (1990). The simple view of reading. Reading and Writing, 2(2), 127–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00401799
Imbaquingo, A., & Cárdenas, J. (2023). Project-based learning as a methodology to improve reading and comprehension skills in the English language. Education Sciences, 13(6), 587. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13060587
Jalinus, N., Nabawi, R. A., & Mardin, A. (2017). The seven steps of Project Based Learning model to enhance productive competences of vocational students. Proceedings of the International Conference on Technology and Vocational Teachers (ICTVT 2017). https://doi.org/10.2991/ictvt-17.2017.43
Kane, T. S. (2000). The Oxford Essential Guide to Writing. Berkley Books.
Karaduman, H., & Gultekin, M. (2007). The Effect of Constructivist Learning Principles-Based Learning Materials to Students’ Attitudes, Success and Retention in Social Studies. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology (TOJET), 6(3), 98–112.
Melani, Bq., Willian, S., Apgrianto, K., & Lail, H. (2021). Vocabulary coverage and reading comprehension of university EFL learners. Proceedings of the Thirteenth Conference on Applied Linguistics (CONAPLIN 2020), 65–71. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210427.011
Miller, E. C., Severance, S., & Krajcik, J. (2021). Motivating teaching, sustaining change in practice: Design principles for teacher learning in project-based learning contexts. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 32(7), 757–779. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560x.2020.1864099
Nur Pratiwi, A., Prasetyo, D., Arifuddin, I., Alfiani, I., Faridah Azahra, A., Destiana Sari, M., Intan P, H., Setia L, K., Wahyuningtyas, D., & Ramadhanti, S. (2020). Kegiatan literasi sebagai upaya meningkatan Minat Dan kemampuan berbahasa Siswa Kelas 1 SD Muhammadiyah Plus Malangjiwan. Buletin Pengembangan Perangkat Pembelajaran, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.23917/bppp.v1i2.11777
Nurhayati, D. A. W. (2018). Peningkatan kemampuan menulis teks deskriptif. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa, 7(1), 50–62.
Nuttall, C. (1996). Teaching reading skills in a foreign language. Heinemann.
Purnomo, A., & Wijayanti, S. (2019). Analisis kesulitan menulis descriptive text. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan, 15(2), 28–40.
Reza Ahmadi, M., Nizam Ismail, H., & Kamarul Kabilan Abdullah, M. (2013a). The importance of metacognitive reading strategy awareness in reading comprehension. English Language Teaching, 6(10). https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v6n10p235
Reza Ahmadi, M., Nizam Ismail, H., & Kamarul Kabilan Abdullah, M. (2013b). The importance of metacognitive reading strategy awareness in reading comprehension. English Language Teaching, 6(10). https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v6n10p235
Sah, F., Naura Sasikirana, H., & Pujiani, T. (2024). The implementation of project-based learning in developing 21st Century skills in EFL class. Jadila: Journal of Development and Innovation in Language and Literature Education, 4(4), 257–272. https://doi.org/10.52760/jadila.v4i4.797
Setyawan, Ig. D. A. (2020). Petunjuk Praktikum Uji Normalitas & Homogenitas Data dengan SPSS. Politeknik Kesehatan Surakarta.
Smith, K., Maynard, N., Berry, A., Stephenson, T., Spiteri, T., Corrigan, D., Mansfield, J., Ellerton, P., & Smith, T. (2022). Principles of problem-based learning (PBL) in STEM Education: Using expert wisdom and research to frame educational practice. Education Sciences, 12(10), 728. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12100728
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A Review of Research on Project-Based Learning. Autodesk Foundation.
Tseng, K.-H., Chang, C.-C., Lou, S.-J., & Chen, W.-P. (2011). Attitudes towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in a project-based learning (pjbl) environment. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 23(1), 87–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-011-9160-x
Published
2026-08-23
How to Cite
Rana Ilmi Sayidah, Ahmad Zamzam, Dewi Satria Elmiana, & Amrullah, A. (2026). The Effectiveness Of Project-Based Learning In Improving Reading Comprehension Of 7th Grade Students Junior High School At Sumbawa Besar. International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science , 5(03), 8340-8355. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i03.6200
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