Open-ended instructional methods have been widely introduced to enhance students’ higher-order thinking and communicative skills; however, their implementation in English language teaching in Indonesian upper secondary schools remains underexplored, especially from teachers’ perspectives. This study aims to examine EFL teachers’ perceptions and experiences toward the use of open-ended methods in English instruction. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed, involving 23 EFL teachers from public and private upper secondary schools in Eastern Jakarta, Indonesia. Quantitative data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire and analysed through descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were obtained from teachers’ narrative reflections and analysed using thematic analysis to explain the quantitative findings. The results revealed that EFL teachers held positive perceptions of open-ended methods, recognizing their effectiveness in enhancing students’ critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills, and learning motivation. However, teachers reported moderate confidence in implementation and highlighted challenges such as students’ limited language proficiency and difficulty responding to complex questions. Additionally, a strong need for professional development was identified. The study recommends providing sustained professional development, appropriate scaffolding strategies, and institutional support to optimize learning outcomes and facilitate effective integration of open-ended methods in upper secondary EFL classrooms.
Callicarpa longifolia Lam., commonly referred to as Karehau in Indonesian folklore medicine, is often used due to its perceived health effects. Despite the widespread use, there are limited studies on the molecular mechanisms of its therapeutic value. This study is aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Callicarpa longifolia leaf extract (CLE) obtained in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The effect of the extract was determined by examining TNF-a (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) levels, leukocyte counts, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the sample using an in vivo-based investigation. The sample population comprised male Wistar rats, which were randomly allocated into 6 experimental groups (n = 5). These groups included the normal control (0,5% Na-CMC, 10 mL/kg BW), carrageenan-induced inflammation (2% carrageenan, 5 mL), reference group receiving diclofenac (20 mg/kg body weight), and 3 treatment groups administered CLE at 150, 250, and 350 mg/kg BW. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of CLE was assessed utilizing a carrageenan-induced air pouch rat model. The exudates obtained were assessed for leukocyte counts and TNF-α levels, while plasma samples were investigated for SOD, MDA, and TNF-α. The results showed that CLE had significant anti-inflammatory effects on leukocyte counts and TNF-alpha. Meanwhile, there were no significant changes in oxidative stress markers SOD and MDA in the carrageenan-induced rat model. The lack of a significant antioxidant effect under the tested conditions showed that prolonged administration was required.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of integrating guided reading strategies into digital reading activities using a digital platform NOVELTOON on language knowledge and creativity. The measurement of language creativity in this study was creativity in producing short stories from guided reading activities. This study, which involved 250 students in semesters two through seven at an Indonesian institution, employed a quasi-experimental method. Several instruments were used in this study, including a language knowledge test, a short story writing creativity scale, and semi-structured interview questions to determine students' responses to the intervention. Data analysis used a t-test to investigate differences in language knowledge levels and an ANCOVA. The research findings indicate that integrating guided reading strategies into digital reading activities using the NOVELTOON digital platform significantly improved language knowledge and creativity compared to those receiving conventional methods. Improved language knowledge was evident in reading comprehension and summarizing reading outcomes. Language creativity was evident in the ability to write short stories and create a reading magazine. Creativity in both works was evident in all aspects of creativity fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration. Furthermore, several stages of guided reading strategies significantly contributed to language creativity: reflective reading or incubation, discussion or sharing, design, teaching, and individual portfolio. Therefore, the integration of guided reading strategies into digital reading activities using the NOVELTOON platform not only improves language knowledge but also enhances language creativity. The implication of this research is that guided reading strategies must be integrated with digital technology to optimize their role in enhancing language creativity and language competence.
The fast-growing global halal economy has resulted in the need for Islamic financial tools that can support inclusive, ethical, and sustainable economic growth. While the literature on Islamic microfinance has garnered significant scholarly attention in the context of financial exclusion, poverty reduction, and Shariah-compliant finance, most studies focus on assessing its success in terms of institutional conformity, operational effectiveness, and financial outreach. Understanding how Islamic microfinance can fulfil the higher purposes of Maqasid al-Shariah while contributing to sustainable halal development has received only limited attention. This conceptual paper aims to fill this theoretical gap with the help of an integrated framework that positions Islamic microfinance as an effective tool of achieving Maqasid al-Shariah in the contexts of halal economy. The study relies on the existing literature on Islamic microfinance, as well as Maqasid al-Shariah, Islamic social finance, Shariah compliance, and halal ecosystem development to create a comprehensive framework linking ethical financing, social justice, entrepreneurial empowerment, institutional governance, environmental responsibility, and halal value chain development. The proposed framework maintains that Islamic microfinance should not be assessed in terms of procedural Shariah compliance only, but also in terms of its contribution to equitable wealth distribution, human wellbeing, responsible entrepreneurship, and long-term sustainability. By providing a shift from compliance-centred financing to value creation centred around the idea of Maqasid, the paper contributes to the theoretical understanding of Islamic microfinance as well as practice recommendations for officers of Islamic financial institutions, halal industry representatives, and researchers.
Routing protocols are essential components in computer networks that function to determine the best path in the data transmission process. In large scale networks the selection of the appropriate routing protocol highly influences the Quality of Service or QoS and network stability. This research aims to analyze and compare the performance of OSPF, EIGRP and BGP routing protocols based on QoS parameters which include throughput, delay, jitter and packet loss also convergence time and system resource utilization. The research method used is network simulation using Network Simulator 3 (NS-3) with a quantitative experimental approach. Testing is conducted on a large-scale network with variations in the number of nodes, data traffic patterns, and network topologies. The simulation result data is analyzed to determine the performance differences of each routing protocol. The research results indicate that OSPF has the most optimal performance in large-scale internal networks with high throughput, low latency, and fast convergence time. EIGRP demonstrates stable and balanced performance, while BGP excels in the scalability aspect but has higher convergence time and latency. The conclusion of this research asserts that the selection of routing protocols must be adjusted to the needs and characteristics of the applied network.
