Improving participation in history learning through the MIKIR strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic at SMA Negeri 1 Pasie Raja

Abstract

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic created barriers to participation in history learning, particularly for students with limited access to smartphones and reliable internet connections. This study examined participation and achievement following the implementation of a locally defined MIKIR (Indonesia / Melaksanakan pembelajaran daring dan luring, Konstektual dan berdaya guna, Intens melakukan refleksi dan Relevan dengan kemampuan Orangtua dan siswa) strategy at SMA Negeri 1 Pasie Raja, South Aceh Regency, Indonesia. MIKIR combined online and offline instruction, contextual and useful learning activities, frequent reflection, and adaptation to students’ and parents’ circumstances. Classroom action research involved 22 students in Grade XI social sciences, comprising 15 girls and seven boys, and consisted of two cycles with two meetings per cycle. Online learning used a teacher-managed blog and WhatsApp, while offline learning used printed worksheets and the school’s 4M (Indonesia/membagi kelompok, mengantar tugas, monitoring dan menjemput/) delivery, monitoring, and collection arrangement. Assignment records, observations, reflection forms, and achievement summaries provided descriptive evidence. On-time participation increased from eight students at the second meeting of Cycle I to 20 students at the second meeting of Cycle II, equivalent to an increase from 36.36% to 90.91%. Late participation decreased from ten to two students. At the final meeting, 20 of 22 students achieved the minimum mastery score of 75. The reported meeting means increased from 57.11 and 66.45 in Cycle I to 83.05 and 84.70 in Cycle II. Inconsistent cycle averages and dates in the source records require verification. The findings suggest that coordinated access arrangements, clearer instructions, and reflection supported participation in this class; the design does not establish causality or generalizability.