.jpg)
The Effectiveness of STEAM-Based Learning on Vocational Students’ Creative Thinking Skills and Self-Efficacy in Linear Equations
Abstract
The development of 21st-century competencies requires mathematics learning that fosters not only conceptual understanding but also creative thinking skills and self-efficacy. However, these competencies are often underdeveloped in vocational high schools due to teacher-centered learning approaches. This study examines the effectiveness of STEAM-based Project-Based Learning (PjBL) on students' creative thinking skills and self-efficacy in learning systems of linear equations in two variables. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was employed involving 60 tenth-grade students from the Visual Communication Design (DKV) program. The experimental group received STEAM-based PjBL, while the control group received conventional PjBL. Creative thinking skills were measured using essay tests (fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration) and self-efficacy via a Likert-scale questionnaire, both validated through expert judgment with Cronbach's alpha of 0.76 and 0.87. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and MANCOVA. The experimental group outperformed the control group in creative thinking (M = 86.50, SD = 3.72 vs. M = 75.27, SD = 3.25; N-Gain = 0.65 vs. 0.36, medium category) and self-efficacy (M = 88.00, SD = 2.56 vs. M = 76.93, SD = 2.96; N-Gain = 0.33 vs. 0.19, moderate vs. low category). MANCOVA confirmed a significant simultaneous effect (Wilks' Lambda = 0.010, p < 0.05, η² = 0.990), and a very strong correlation between both variables (r = 0.978, p < 0.01). These findings confirm that STEAM+PjBL provides meaningful, contextual, and interdisciplinary learning experiences that simultaneously enhance creativity and self-confidence, and is recommended as an innovative instructional strategy in vocational mathematics education.
Keywords
Full Text:
DOWNLOAD [PDF]References
Abdika, A. I., Agoestanto, A., Mariani, S., & Sugiman, S. (2025). Comparative impacts of project-based learning and other strategies on creative thinking in STEAM education: A systematic literature review. Union: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Matematika, 13(2), 486–497. https://doi.org/10.30738/union.v13i2.19600
Al-Abyadh, M. H. A., & Abdel Azeem, H. A. H. (2022). Academic Achievement: Influences of University Students’ Self-Management and Perceived Self-Efficacy. Journal of Intelligence, 10(3), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence10030055
Amanova, A. K., Butabayeva, L. A., Abayeva, G. A., Umirbekova, A. N., Abildina, S. K., & Makhmetova, A. A. (2025). A systematic review of the implementation of STEAM education in schools. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 21(1), em2568. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/15894
Ariyanto, L., Kusumaningsih, W., Supandi, S., & Bilqist, M. N. (2025). Mathematical creative thinking skills of students: a study on scientific and contextual approaches. Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran Matematika: PowerMathEdu, 4(2), 365–376. https://doi.org/10.31980/pme.v4i2.2881
Breznau, N., Rinke, E. M., Wuttke, A., Nguyen, H. H. V., Adem, M., Adriaans, J., Alvarez-Benjumea, A., Andersen, H. K., Auer, D., Azevedo, F., Bahnsen, O., Balzer, D., Bauer, G., Bauer, P. C., Baumann, M., Baute, S., Benoit, V., Bernauer, J., Berning, C., … Żółtak, T. (2022). Observing many researchers using the same data and hypothesis reveals a hidden universe of uncertainty. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(44). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2203150119
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/research-design/book270550
Ekayana, A. A. G., Parwati, N. N., Agustini, K., & Ratnaya, I. G. (2025). Project based learning framework with STEAM methodology assessed based on self-efficacy: Does it affect creative thinking skills and learning achievement in studying fundamental computers? Journal of Technology and Science Education, 15(1), 107. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.2751
Fatio, N. A., Fatimah, S., & Rosjanuardi, R. (2020). The analysis of students’ learning difficulties on system of linear equation in two variables topic. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1521(3), 032062. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1521/3/032062
George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for Windows step by step: A simple guide and reference (4th ed.). Allyn & Bacon. https://archive.org/details/spssforwindowsst00geor
Gracia, E., Nurohman, S., & Wilujeng, I. (2024). Analysis the Implementation of STEAM Approach on Creative Thinking Ability in Science Learning. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(11), 757–763. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i11.7782
Greco, A., Annovazzi, C., Palena, N., Camussi, E., Rossi, G., & Steca, P. (2022). Self-efficacy beliefs of university students: Examining factor validity and measurement invariance of the new academic self-efficacy scale. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 498824. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.498824
Habibi, M. A. M. (2023). Effect of the STEAM Method on Children’s Creativity. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(1), 315–321. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i1.2378
Hehakaya, W., Matdoan, M. N., & Rumahlatu, D. (2022). Integrating STEAM with PjBL and PBL on biology education: Improving students’ cognitive learning results, creative thinking, and digital literacy. Biosfer, 15(1), 76–84. https://doi.org/10.21009/biosferjpb.24468
Hulu, L. J. (2023). Analysis Of Student Errors In Solving Questions On A System Of Linear Equations With Two Variables In Class VIII SMP Negeri 2 Somambawa School Year 2022/2023. Afore : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 2(2), 209–221. https://doi.org/10.57094/afore.v2i2.1053
Jia, Y., Zhou, B., & Zheng, X. (2021). A curriculum integrating STEAM and maker education promotes pupils' learning motivation, self-efficacy, and interdisciplinary knowledge acquisition. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 725525. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.725525
Julaihi, N. H., Zainuddin, P. F. A., Che Md Nor, R., Ahmad Bakri, S. R., Hamdan, A., Salleh, J., & Bujang, N. (2022). Self-Efficacy in Learning Mathematics Online. Journal of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, 8(1), 139–156. https://doi.org/10.33736/jcshd.4435.2022
Li, J., Luo, H., Zhao, L., Zhu, M., Ma, L., & Liao, X. (2022). Promoting STEAM Education in Primary School through Cooperative Teaching: A Design-Based Research Study. Sustainability, 14(16), 10333. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610333
Lu, S.-Y., Lo, C.-C., & Syu, J.-Y. (2022). Project-based learning oriented STEAM: the case of micro–bit paper-cutting lamp. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32(5), 2553–2575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-021-09714-1
Masdarini, L., Candiasa, I. M., Agustini, K., & Sudatha, I. G. W. (2024). The effect of project-based learning and self-efficacy towards students' entrepreneurial readiness in vocational high school. Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 14(2), 324–330. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.14.02.38
Oanh, D. T. K., & Dang, T. D. H. (2025). Effect of STEAM Project-Based Learning on Engineering Students’ 21st Century Skills. European Journal of Educational Research, 14(3), 705–721. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.14.3.705
Pramashela, A. D., Suwono, H., Sulisetijono, S., & Wulanningsih, U. A. (2023). The Influence of Project-based Learning Integrated STEAM on the Creative Thinking Skills. BIOEDUKASI, 21(2), 138. https://doi.org/10.19184/bioedu.v21i2.39737
Putri, A. S., Prasetyo, Z. K., Purwastuti, L. A., Prodjosantoso, A. K., & Putranta, H. (2023). Effectiveness of STEAM-based blended learning on students’ critical and creative thinking skills. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 12(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i1.22506
Rahmatin, T., Dahlan, J. A., & Jupri, A. (2025). Students’ Mathematical Creative Thinking and Learning Obstacles in Solving Ill-Structured Exponential Problems. Jurnal Didaktik Matematika, 12(1), 53–74. https://doi.org/10.24815/jdm.v12i1.43834
Samsudin, M. A., Jamali, S. M., Md Zain, A. N., & Ale Ebrahim, N. (2020). The effect of STEM project based learning on self-efficacy among high-school physics students. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 17(1), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.36681/tused.2020.15
Suherman, S., & Vidákovich, T. (2022). Assessment of mathematical creative thinking: A systematic review. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 44, 101019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101019
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2019). Using multivariate statistics (7th ed.). Pearson. https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/using-multivariate-statistics/P200000003097/9780137526543
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A review of research on project-based learning. The Autodesk Foundation. https://www.pblworks.org/sites/default/files/2019-01/A_Review_of_Research_on_Project_Based_Learning.pdf
Lakens, D. (2013). Calculating and reporting effect sizes to facilitate cumulative science: A practical primer for t-tests and ANOVAs. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 863. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00863
Wang, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). Design and Implementation of STEAM Programs in Vocational Schools in a Smart Education Environment. Contemporary Education and Teaching Research, 4(12), 677–684. https://doi.org/10.61360/BoniCETR232015491212
Wannapiroon, N., & Pimdee, P. (2022). Thai undergraduate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) creative thinking and innovation skill development: a conceptual model using a digital virtual classroom learning environment. Education and Information Technologies, 27(4), 5689–5716. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10849-w
Wilson, H. E., Song, H., Johnson, J., Presley, L., & Olson, K. (2021). Effects of transdisciplinary STEAM lessons on student critical and creative thinking. The Journal of Educational Research, 114(5), 445–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2021.1975090
Wysocki, A. C., Lawson, K. M., & Rhemtulla, M. (2022). Statistical control requires causal justification. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 5(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/25152459221095823
Xu, Y., Yang, G., Yan, C., Li, J., & Zhang, J. (2022). Predictive effect of resilience on self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic: The moderating role of creativity. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1066759. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1066759
Yasir, M., Wulandari, A. Y. R., & Wahyudi, I. (2021). Effect of metacognition and self-efficacy on scientific achievement by prospective science teachers of Madura through student creativity. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1747(1), 012006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1747/1/012006
Zakariya, Y. F. (2022). Improving students' mathematics self-efficacy: A systematic review of intervention studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 986622. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.986622
Zayyinah, Z., Erman, E., Supardi, Z. A. I., Hariyono, E., & Prahani, B. K. (2022). STEAM-Integrated Project Based Learning Models: Alternative to Improve 21st Century Skills. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211229.039
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31764/ijeca.v9i2.39010
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Agil Dwijayanti, Rosiatuningsih, Mahdia Silmi Aziz, Norma Rahmalia Ayuwanda, Gunawan, Eng Tek Ong
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
IJECA (International Journal of Education and Curriculum Application) already indexed:
___________________________________________________________________
| |
____________________________________________________________________
IJECA Publisher Office: