Increasing Student Engagement and Understanding through Project-Based Learning on Asmaul Husna Materials

This research aims to improve the understanding of grade VII students of SMPIT Iqra’ Bengkulu City towards Asmaul Husna (Al-‘Alim, Al-Khabir, As-Sami’, and Al-Bashir) through the application of a project-based learning model. The research was conducted on grade VII students of SMPIT Iqra’ Bengkulu City in semester 1 (odd) of the 2024-2025 school year. The method used is Classroom Action Research (PTK) with a cycle design consisting of four stages: planning, action, observation, and reflection (Kemmis & McTaggart, 2023). The results of the study show that the application of this project-based learning model has succeeded in increasing student involvement in learning, understanding of the concept of Asmaul Husna, and the average score of student learning outcomes. In the pre-cycle stage, of the 12 students who were the subjects of the study, only 5 students (41.7%) achieved learning completeness with an average score of 72.5, while 7 students (58.3%) had not completed it. In the first cycle, there was an increase with 7 students (58.3%) achieving completeness and the average score increased to 79.6, while 5 students (41.7%) were still incomplete. In the second cycle, the level of completeness increased significantly to reach more than 80%, indicating the success of the implementation of this learning model. This study emphasizes the importance of an interactive and contextual learning approach to integrate religious values into the teaching and learning process (Arends, 2012; Trianto, 2010). Thus, the implementation of Project-Based Learning not only improves academic outcomes but also makes an important contribution to the formation of students’ religious character through innovative learning (Mulyasa, 2014; Sanjaya, 2016).