Teachers’ knowledge and implementation of inquiry-based-learning in elementary science education: a phenomenological study in indonesia

Penulis

  • Nurhairani Nurhairani Universitas Negeri Medan
  • Suyanta Suyanta Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta image/svg+xml
  • Haryanto Haryanto Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30659/pendas.13.1.226-244

Kata Kunci:

inquiry-based learning, science learning, elementary school teachers

Abstrak

Science education in Indonesian elementary schools currently faces significant challenges in fostering students' critical and scientific thinking skills and positioning them as active learning subjects. A key contributing factor is teachers' insufficient knowledge regarding the effective implementation of Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), which consequently diminishes student engagement. This phenomenological study, utilising a qualitative approach, investigates elementary school teachers' understanding of IBL and analyses its practical application in science classrooms. Data were gathered through open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and literature review, involving 74 in-service teachers distributed across Indonesia's Western, Central, and Eastern regions. The findings reveal significant conceptual gaps among teachers. Particularly, teachers demonstrated a limited and often inaccurate understanding of IBL's core principles, indicating prevalent misconceptions. This knowledge deficit critically hinders the effective implementation of IBL in science instruction. Furthermore, the study identified pronounced disparities in IBL knowledge between teachers in the Western, Central, and Eastern regions, highlighting distinct regional inequities. The study emphatically concludes that the systemic integration of IBL into elementary science education is imperative. Achieving this necessitates targeted professional development programs specifically designed to address the identified knowledge gaps and regional disparities among teachers.

Biografi Penulis

  • Nurhairani Nurhairani, Universitas Negeri Medan
    Program Studi Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar Universitas Negeri Medan, Dosen
  • Suyanta Suyanta, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta
    Pendidikan Kimia, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam
  • Haryanto Haryanto, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta
    Teknologi Pendidikan, Fakultas Ilmu Pendidikan

Referensi

Adadan, E., & Ataman, M. M. (2021). Promoting senior primary school students’ understanding of particulate nature of matter through inquiry instruction with multiple representations. Education 3-13, 49(3), 317–329. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2020.1854960

Afifah, N., Supartinah, & Pujiastuti, P. (2023). Does Pre-Service Elementary Teachers’ Attitude Towards Science Affect Their Science Teaching Efficacy? Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(8), 6585–6589. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i8.3892

Ambarwati, N. F. A., Retno Dwi Suyanti, Aaron Loh, Ribka Kariani Br Sembiring, Darinda Sofia Tanjung, & Dyan Wulan Sari HS. (2025). Innovate Integration of guided inquiry learning (GIL) and project-based learning (PjBL) to enhance students’ science literacy. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 14(4), 569–583. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v14i4.p569-583

Anwas, E. O. M., Afriansyah, A., Iftitah, K. N., Firdaus, W., Sugiarti, Y., Supandi, E., & Hediana, D. (2022). Students’ Literacy Skills and Quality of Textbooks in Indonesian Elementary Schools. International Journal of Language Education, 6(3), 233. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v6i3.32756

Anam, R. S., Rahayu, U., Sekarwinahyu, M., & Sapriati, A. (2023). Elementary School Teachers’ Understanding of Inquiry Skills and Scientific Attitude. Al Ibtida: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru MI, 10(2), 363. https://doi.org/10.24235/al.ibtida.snj.v10i2.12844

Daccache, J., & Ibrahim, N. (2023). Preservice and Novice Teachers’ Views of a University Teacher-Training Program in Lebanon. Creative Education, 14(04), 658–676. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2023.144043

Restiani, D.N. L., Margunayasa, I. G., & Arie Paramita, M. V. (2024). Improving Scientific Literacy of Elementary School Students through Problem-Based Learning Model with Balinese Local Wisdom. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 7(4), 590–598. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v7i4.62080

Jupriyanto, J., Yustiana, S., Sari, Y., & Pratiwi, E. I. (2023). The effect of environmental approach on critical thinking ability in elementary school students’ science content. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.30659/pendas.10.1.61-71

Koto, I., & Susanta, A. (2021). The Investigation of in-Service Elementary School Teachers’ Understandings of Inquiry-Based Learning by Using Indonesian Version of Understanding Learning Cycle Test. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210227.043

Nicol, C. B. (2021). An Overview of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction Amid Challenges. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(12), em2042. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11350

Nirwan, N., Faudi, F., Isra, R., & AG, B. (2024). QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: INTEGRATING INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING INTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION. Getsempena English Education Journal, 11(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.46244/geej.v10i2.2700

Praminingsih, I., Miarsyah, M., & Rusdi, R. (2022). Meta-Analysis: The Effect of Inquiry Learning Model on Students Critical Thinking Skill. Journal Of Biology Education, 5(2), 168. https://doi.org/10.21043/jobe.v5i2.12940

Putri, D. K., Zainovi, P. S., Hanip, S. A. A., Wiryanto, W., & Julianto, J. (2024). Building 21st-century skills through the recent behavioral learning for students outcome. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 11(2), 284. https://doi.org/10.30659/pendas.11.2.284-298

Karno, B. P., Susanti, L. R. R., Hudaidah, H., & Farhan, F. (2024). Comparison of Education in New Zealand and Indonesia in Science Subjects in Primary School. FONDATIA, 8(4), 997–1010. https://doi.org/10.36088/fondatia.v8i4.5530

Rahmawati, R., Surahman, S., Rizal, R., Pahriadi, P., & Lapasere, S. (2025). Improving Student Learning Outcomes in Natural and Sosial Science subjects Through Inquiry Learning Models in Grade V of Elementary School. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 4(3), 565–575. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i3.1459

Rahayu, U., Anam, R. S., Sekarwinahyu, M., & Sapriati, A. (2022). The Inquiry Skills of Teachers in Elementary School. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 6(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v6i2.46909

Jusuf, R., Tamalene, A. S., & Ratna Sari Dewi. (2024). Inquiry Learning-based Natural and Social Sciences Student Worksheet to Grow Elementary School Students’ Critical Thinking Skills. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 8(4), 612–623. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v8i4.84504

Sari, Y., Jupriyanto, J., & Fironika Kusumadewi, R. (2025). The transformation of science-learning: The role of scientific inquiry and interactive technology in elementary schools. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 12(2), 194. https://doi.org/10.30659/pendas.12.2.194-214

Setiani, R. (2023). Research Trend of Inquiry Learning in Elementary School in the Last 10 Years: To Determine the Opportunities in the Future. Studies in Learning and Teaching, 4(1), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.46627/silet.v4i1.214

Susanto, A., & Indarini, E. (2022). Meta Analisis Keefektifan Inquiry Based Learning Terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Pembelajaran Tematik Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Guru Kita PGSD, 7(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.24114/jgk.v7i1.40662

Syamsudin, S. (2023). The Development of Students’ Academic Skills Through Guided Inquiry Model in Science Learning at Elementary School. Syekh Nurjati International Conference on Elementary Education, 1(0), 193. https://doi.org/10.24235/sicee.v1i0.14573

Sunarti, V., Hafizah, H., Rusdinal, R., Ananda, A., & Gistituati, N. (2022). Comparison of Indonesian and Finnish Education Curriculum. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 2(2), 141–152. https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v2i2.808

Soonjan, J., & Kaewkhong, K. (2022). Elementary Science Teachers’ Understanding of Inquiry-Based Teaching and Self-Evaluation of their Practices: A Case Study from Thailand. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.30722/IJISME.30.01.003

Syahrial, S., Asrial, A., Kurniawan, D. A., Perdana, R., & Pratama, R. A. (2021). Implementing Inquiry Based Ethno-Constructivism learning module to Improve Students’ Critical Thinking Skills and Attitudes Towards Cultural Values. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2021(95). https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2021.95.7

Temsah, L., & Safa, N. (2021). New Approaches to Simulation-Based Science Instruction to Enhance Reasoning and Communication Skills in Lebanese Elementary Education. Middle Eastern Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, 2(1), 56–79. https://doi.org/10.47631/mejress.v2i1.180

Usman, H., Yarmi, G., Sarifah, I., Hasanah, U., Wardhani, P. A., Sari, W. K., & Fajarianto, O. (2024). Explore the Needs of Competency Development Model for Prospective Elementary School Teachers Based on Knowledge Management System In Indonesia. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(1), e06206. Https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n1-148

Diterbitkan

2026-01-31