Physical education teachers' knowledge of junior high school students' characteristics for optimising the learning process
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15561/health.2026.0303Keywords:
physical education, physical education teachers, junior high school students, student characteristics, teacher knowledgeAbstract
Background and Study Aim. Physical education (PE) teachers must have a good knowledge of students' characteristics. This is an important aspect of designing effective and student-centred learning because junior high school students experience substantial physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. This study aimed to determine PE teachers' knowledge of the characteristics of junior high school students in Central Semarang District.
Materials and Methods. This study employed a quantitative descriptive research design. It included 13 PE teachers from five public junior high schools in Central Semarang District, and total sampling was applied. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale adapted from a previous study. The questionnaire assessed teachers' consideration of students' physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and learning-related characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.
Results. The participants' scores ranged from 82 to 98, with a mean of 90.2 (SD = 5.29). Most PE teachers were classified as having a moderate level of knowledge of students' characteristics (38%), followed by high (31%) and low (23%) levels. One teacher (8%) was classified in the very high category, whereas no participants were classified in the very low category.
Conclusions. Most PE teachers demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge of junior high school students' characteristics. The findings indicate variation in teachers' knowledge of students' physical, cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics, which may influence lesson planning and instructional decision-making in physical education. These results may contribute to the development of professional learning programmes aimed at strengthening teachers' pedagogical competence.
References
Habsy BA, ‘Ula ERR, Haq MAA, Azizah T. Hakikat Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, serta Tanggung Jawab dan Standar Kompetensi Guru [The Nature of Education and Learning, as well as Teacher Responsibilities and Competency Standards]. TSAQOFAH, 2024;4(6): 4158–4176. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.58578/tsaqofah.v4i6.4156
Naro W, Mirnawati M, Suarni S, Gani SM. How Aspects of Characteristic-Based Learner Development: Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor Aspects. Didaktika: Jurnal Kependidikan, 2023;12(1): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.58230/27454312.171
Langelaan BN, Gaikhorst L, Smets W, Oostdam RJ. Differentiating instruction: Understanding the key elements for successful teacher preparation and development. Teaching and Teacher Education, 2024;140: 104464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104464
Wicaksono GB, Lestari L, Islam S. The effectiveness of the TGFU approach in increasing student engagement in physical education lessons. Pedagogy of Health, 2025;4(2): 132–140. https://doi.org/10.15561/health.2025.0205
Qudsiyah B, Laila F, Munir B, Suprianto WD, Nurhayati N. Hakikat Pendidikan Dan Manajemen Pendidikan Di Sekolah [The Nature of Education and Educational Management in Schools. Indonesian Multidisciplinary Journal]. Jurnal Multidisiplin Indonesia, 2023;2(6): 1297–1303. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.58344/jmi.v2i6.283
Nggiri KM, Lunga KT. Peranan guru dalam mengelola pembelajaran terhadap proses belajar yang kreatif [The role of teachers in managing learning towards a creative learning process]. Inculco Journal of Christian Education, 2023;3(1): 103–117. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.59404/ijce.v3i1.139
Taufik A. Analisis Karakteristik Peserta Didik [Analysis of Student Characteristics]. EL-Ghiroh, 2019;16(01): 1–13. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.37092/el-ghiroh.v16i01.71
Rahmadi E, Mashud M, Kahri M. Model Project Based Learning (PjBL) Melalui Aktivitas Kebugaran Jasmani Peserta Didik dalam PJOK [Project Based Learning (PjBL) Model Through Physical Fitness Activities for Students in PJOK]. Multilateral : Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani dan Olahraga, 2025;23(4): 90. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.20527/multilateral.v23i4.20879
Mustafa PS. Characteristics of Learners and Their Implications in Learning. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 2022;14(4): 7043–7056. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v14i4.2751
Suryana E, Hasdikurniati AI, Harmayanti AA, Harto K. Perkembangan remaja awal, menengah dan implikasinya terhadap Pendidikan [Early and middle adolescent development and its implications for education]. Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education, 2022;8(3). (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.58258/jime.v8i3.3494
Hasan CR, Muhibbi M, Fuad MN. Survei Kemampuan Motorik Terhadap Siswa Kelas Khusus Olahraga (KKO) [Motor Skills Survey of Students in Special Sports Classes (KKO)]. Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan Undiksha, 2025;13(1): 1–11. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.23887/jiku.v13i1.91913
Opstoel K, Chapelle L, Prins FJ, De Meester A, Haerens L, Van Tartwijk J, et al. Personal and social development in physical education and sports: A review study. European Physical Education Review, 2020;26(4): 797–813. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X19882054
Gya Tri Lestari, Nabila Destiana, Amelia Shakilla, Anggi Deviyani, Fauziah Tazkia Nur, Intan Maulida, et al. Persepsi Guru PJOK dan Guru Kelas terhadap Peran PJOK dalam Membangun Karakter Profil Pelajar Pancasila di SD Negeri Kotabaru [Perceptions of PJOK Teachers and Class Teachers regarding the Role of PJOK in Building the Character Profile of Pancasila Students at Kotabaru State Elementary School]. Jurnal Yudistira : Publikasi Riset Ilmu Pendidikan dan Bahasa, 2025;3(4): 01–20. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.61132/yudistira.v3i4.2293
Dika Adi Rahma Putra, Cristin Pascal Geong, Dinar Nindia Husen Hasanudin, Elma Marcella. Kontruksi pengetahuan praktis guru pendidikan jasmani di era kurikulum Merdeka [Construction of practical knowledge of physical education teachers in the era of the independent curriculum]. Jurnal Ilmiah Spirit, 2026;26(1): 381–387. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.36728/jis.v26i1.6030
Nurhamida I. Problematika Kompetensi Pedagogik Guru Terhadap Karakteristik Peserta Didik [Problems of Teacher Pedagogical Competence on Student Characteristics]. Jurnal Teori dan Praksis Pembelajaran IPS, 2018;3(1): 27–38. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.17977/um022v3i12018p027
Ridwan M, Hidayat T, Muhammad HN, Febriyanti I. Effectiveness of Differentiated Instruction in Physical Education: A Quasi-Experimental Study on Learning Habits, Motivation, and Academic Achievement of Middle School Students. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025;28(3): 1728–1734. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.28.3.4209
Mualif A, Gusril G, Syahrastani S, Bahtra R. The Effect of Physical Fitness Learning Motivation and Learning Style on Physical Education Sports and Health Learning Outcomes. Journal of Physical Education Health and Sport, 2023;10(1). https://doi.org/10.15294/jpehs.v10i1.46187
St. Hajar StH, Nanning N. Pentingnya Pendidik Untuk Memahami Karakteristik Peserta Didik Sebagai Acuan Dalam Melaksanakan Perencanaan Konsep Pembelajaran [The Importance of Educators Understanding Student Characteristics as a Reference in Implementing Learning Concept Planning]. Dialektika Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 2023;1(2): 68–76. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.35905/dialektika.v1i2.4333
Sugiyono. Metode Penelitian Pendidikan: Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R&D [Educational Research Methods: Quantitative, Qualitative, and R&D Approaches]. Bandung: Alfabeta; 2019. (In Indonesian).
Wright PM, Gray S, Richards KAR. Understanding the interpretation and implementation of social and emotional learning in physical education. The Curriculum Journal, 2021;32(1): 67–86. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.85
Arikunto S. Metode Penelitian [Research Methods]. Jakarta: Rineka Cipta; 2010. (In Indonesian).
Ema Deva Amilia, Cendy Lestari, Masayu Laila Nadalina, M Juniansyah, Sani Safitri, Rani Oktapiani. Mengenal Konsep Pembelajaran Abad 21 dan Peran Guru dalam Pembelajaran Abad 21 [Understanding the Concept of 21st Century Learning and the Role of Teachers in 21st Century Learning]. SOSIAL: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan IPS, 2025;3(4): 233–250. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.62383/sosial.v3i4.1377
Darnanengsih, Yuspiani Y, Subhan A. Student Development Aspects Based on Learner Characteristics in Primary Learning Contexts. MISOOL: Jurnal Pendidikan Dasar, 2025;7(2): 105–116. https://doi.org/10.47945/misool.v7i2.2356
Khomsah F, Lestari MYW, Budiman TCS, Widyastuti EW. The Importance of Understanding Students’ Characteristics in The Learning Process of Kurikulum Merdeka. Education of English as A Foreign Language, 2023;6(2): 102–114. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.educafl.2023.006.02.01
Rizky R, Hannan Nur Rizki Sawaludin, Rina Fatmawati. Upaya Guru dalam Mengoptimalkan Berbagai Tingkat Pemahaman Peserta Didik [Teachers' Efforts to Optimize Various Levels of Student Understanding]. Jurnal Kajian Penelitian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 2025;3(3): 31–46. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.59031/jkppk.v3i3.579
Fransiskus Ganeza Sutomo, Mifda Rasida Quratul Aini. Pemahaman Karakteristik Peserta Didik Dalam Mengoptimalkan Pembelajaran [Understanding Student Characteristics in Optimizing Learning]. Jurnal Kajian Penelitian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 2024;2(4): 60–72. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.59031/jkppk.v2i4.499
Mellado-Berenguer J, Monfort-Pañego M. Physical Education teaching competencies assessed with observational instruments in randomised studies: a systematic review. Retos, 2025;72: 410–424. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.116705
Sa’adah S, Hamid AL. Memahami Karakteristik Peserta Didik Melalui Optimalisasi Pembelajaran [Understanding Student Characteristics Through Learning Optimization]. Addabani: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 2025;2(2): 133–148. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.52593/adb.02.2.06
Fatimah Nurlala Iwani, Mardianah M, Besse Marjani Alwi. Perbedaan Individu Dalam Belajar: Telaah Atas Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhinya [Individual Differences in Learning: An Examination of the Factors That Influence Them]. PESHUM : Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial dan Humaniora, 2025;4(5): 7047–7055. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.56799/peshum.v4i5.9982
Maulana FI, Heynoek FP. Pendekatan Berdiferensiasi pada Pelajaran Pendidikan Jasmani Olahraga dan Kesehatan [Differentiated Approach to Physical Education, Sports and Health Lessons]. Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism, 2024;2(3): 320–328. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.17977/um084v2i32024p320-328
Heppy Hein Wainggai, Zainal Widyanto, Ewendi W. Mangolo, Rif’iy Qomarrullah. The Application of Project-Based Learning in Enhancing Student Creativity and Collaboration in Physical Education Subjects. Journal of Physical Education Health and Sport, 2025;12(1): 175–181. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpehs.v12i1.30525
Akbaruddin A, Suherman WS, Komari A, Hambali S, Saputra W, Permana MF. The Utilization of Differentiated Learning in Improving Physical Fitness and Active Lifestyle of Junior High School Students: Literature Review in Physical Education. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, 2024;15(3): 561–577. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1512748
Muhammad Iqbal Ghazali, Ahmad Zain Silahuddin, Azmi Ansor. Penerapan Pembelajaran Diferensiasi terhadap Motivasi Belajar Kelas V pada Permainan Bola Besar SDN 18 Mataram [The Application of Differentiated Learning to the Learning Motivation of Class V in Big Ball Games at SDN 18 Mataram]. Journal Sport Science, Health and Tourism of Mandalika (Jontak) e-ISSN 2722-3116, 2025; 165–176. (In Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.36312/jontak.vi.5027
Goyibova N, Muslimov N, Sabirova G, Kadirova N, Samatova B. Differentiation approach in education: Tailoring instruction for diverse learner needs. MethodsX, 2025;14: 103163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103163
Lee HS, Lee J. Applying Artificial Intelligence in Physical Education and Future Perspectives. Sustainability, 2021;13(1): 351. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010351
Simonton KL, Layne TE, Irwin CC. Project-based learning and its potential in physical education: an instructional model inquiry. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, 2021;12(1): 36–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/25742981.2020.1862683
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Cahulul Rizaldy Hasan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright Holder - Author(s). more
Abstract views: 7 / PDF downloads: 1
