Implementation of Mind Mapping in Social Studies Learning to Improve Junior High School Students' Conceptual Understanding: A Classroom Action Study
Keywords:
Conceptual Understanding, Classroom Action Research, Junior High School Students, Mind Mapping, Social Studies Learning
Abstract
Purpose of the study: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of implementing Mind Mapping in Social Studies learning to improve junior high school students’ conceptual understanding through a structured classroom action research framework conducted in iterative instructional cycles.
Methodology: This study employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) based on the Kemmis and McTaggart cyclical model. The research was conducted in two cycles at SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta involving 34 Grade VII students. Instruments included observation sheets, performance assessment rubrics for mind maps, and written achievement tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive percentage and mean score comparison techniques.
Main Findings: The findings show a substantial improvement in students’ conceptual understanding and participation. Mastery levels increased from 20.59% in the pretest to 85.29% in Cycle I and reached 100% in Cycle II. The mean score improved from 68.1 to 77.9. The quality of students’ mind maps became more structured and conceptually coherent. Student participation in questioning, responding, presenting, and constructing visual representations increased consistently across instructional cycles.
Novelty/Originality of this study: This study integrates Mind Mapping as a central instructional strategy within a cyclical classroom action research design to systematically strengthen conceptual understanding. Unlike studies focusing primarily on achievement outcomes, this research emphasizes iterative refinement and conceptual representation quality, thereby contributing a structured model for embedding visual learning strategies into reflective Social Studies pedagogy.
References
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[3] H. Nurasa, A. Abdillah, and Q. M. Adikancana, “Organization ecosystem for inclusive development in Indonesia: A bibliometric analysis and literature review,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–20, 2024, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2024.2368949.
[4] C. Cho, “Use of photovoice in pre-service geography teachers’ conceptions of geography,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–20, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2235171.
[5] J. Tooley, “Spatial influences on first impressions: A case study on how stranger behavior is judged in urban transitional spaces,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2024, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2024.2354968.
[6] V. Delauer et al., “The impact of natural environments and biophilic design as supportive and nurturing spaces on a residential college campus,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–19, 2022, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2021.2000570.
[7] K. S. Mogotsi, “Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2025, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2025.2495862.
[8] W. Ameneshewa, Y. Kebede, D. Unbushe, A. Legesse, and M. Hardman, “Indigenous knowledge and forest management practices among shekachoo people in the sheka biosphere reserve a case of shato core area, South-west Ethiopia,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1–26, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2275937.
[9] I. B. Van Zuydam, K. F. Mearns, W. A. J. Nel, and N. P. Nkambule, “Comparing farmers’ perceptions of climate change with meteorological data: A case study of livestock farmers in Eswatini’s lowveld region,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–23, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2022.2159653.
[10] T. C. Bac, V. Tran, and T. T. Long, “Are characteristics of metropolis matters for structural transformation of provinces: A spatial approach in the case of Vietnam,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–19, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2170487.
[11] B. Wadei, P. O. Adjei, and D. Forkuor, “Domestic conflict as a possible outcome of gender role change: Experiences and perceptions from rural and urban Ghana,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1–25, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2282421.
[12] E. Bîrsănuc and T. C. Man, “Isn’t the glass ceiling thick enough? Mapping perceptions on women’s economic empowerment in North-West Region of Romania,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–16, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2242612.
[13] J. Adeboa and B. T. Anang, “Perceptions and adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers to climate change in Builsa South district of Ghana,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–19, 2024, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2024.2358151.
[14] L. Muta`ali, “Kemampuan keuangan daerah dan kesejahteraan masyarakat kabupaten kota di provinsi Jawa Tengah [Regional financial capacity and community welfare of districts and cities in Central Java province],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 69–80, 2019.
[15] H. N. Fadhila, “Studi kebencanaan kritis terhadap konstruksi gagasan bencana kebakaran hutan dan lahan Kalimantan Tengah [Critical disaster study on the construction of the idea of forest and land fire disaster in Central Kalimantan],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 140–147, 2025, doi: 10.22146/mgi.70636.
[16] D. O. Nduka et al., “Relationship between indoor environmental quality and sick building syndrome: A case study of selected student’ s hostels in Southwestern Nigeria,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1–17, 2021, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2021.1980280.
[17] N. A. Deliarnoor, R. W. S. Sumadinata, N. I. Sagita, A. F. Poerana, and L. O. Prastio, “Environmentalism with Indonesian National Army: Urban revitalization of the Citarum River in Karawang Regency, Indonesia,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–17, 2024, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2024.2354975.
[18] I. K. Astina, A. Idris, R. Jaya, and T. Bay, “Unveiling the mystic sense of place and ocean literacy: The role of the Torosiaje community in championing marine sustainability in Tomini Bay, Indonesia,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1–22, 2025, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2025.2586139.
[19] I. Syahputera et al., “The role of ‘Hadih Maja’ as an acehnese oral tradition in supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 agendas: An eco-criticism analysis,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–19, 2024, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2024.2388330.
[20] E. B. Bitana, S. T. Lachore, and A. U. Utallo, “The influence of household size on socioeconomic conditions of rural farm households in Damot Woyde District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2024, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2024.2358153.
[21] J. L. Arthur et al., “Energy management practices of oil refineries: A case study of Tema oil refinery (TOR),” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1–14, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2282492.
[22] J. K. Boateng, “Managing learning outcomes with technology in Ghanaian higher education,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1–23, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2282507.
[23] R. Kala, R. Pendidikan, and A. I. Indonesia, “Menelisik makna ‘kritis’ dalam geografi kritis [Examining the meaning of ‘critical’ in critical geography],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 29–42, 2025, doi: 10.22146/mgi.70636.
[24] P. Budiraharti and R. Harini, “Determinan tingkat konsumsi gizi makro rumah tangga di Provinsi Riau: Kajian demografi dan spasial [Determinants of household macronutrient consumption levels in Riau Province: Demographic and spatial study],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 111–118, 2022, doi: 10.22146/mgi.56011.
[25] U. Hariadi, Suratman, T. Gunawan, and A. Armawi, “Kearifan lokal komunitas sebagai modal sosial dalam manajemen bencana alam [Local community wisdom as social capital in natural disaster management],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 1–7, 2019.
[26] L. Somantri, “Come to be stranded: The dynamics of refugee influx in three Indonesian government regimes,” vol. 1790, 2023, doi: 10.22146/mgi.70636.
[27] T. Sidauruk et al., “Dampak restorasi mangrove terhadap sosial ekonomi masyarakat di Provinsi Riau [The impact of mangrove restoration on the socio-economic conditions of communities in Riau Province],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 101–111, 2025, doi: 10.22146/mgi.70636.
[28] R. Yunita, M. P. Tambunan, R. P. Tambunan, and A. F. Rais, “Dampak pembatasan sosial berskala besar terhadap kualitas udara di Jakarta [The impact of large-scale social restrictions on air quality in Jakarta],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 142–149, 2021.
[29] L. Somantri, “Pemetaan mobilitas penduduk di kawasan pinggiran Kota Bandung [Mapping population mobility in the suburbs of Bandung City],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 95–102, 2022, doi: 10.22146/mgi.70636.
[30] H. S. Naryanto and Q. Zahro, “Penilaian risiko bencana longsor di wilayah Kabupaten Serang [Landslide disaster risk assessment in Serang Regency],” Maj. Geogr. Indones., vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2020.
Published
2026-03-06
How to Cite
Amelia, A., & Irnalita, I. (2026). Implementation of Mind Mapping in Social Studies Learning to Improve Junior High School Students’ Conceptual Understanding: A Classroom Action Study. GeoEdu Insight Journal, 1(1), 16-22. Retrieved from https://cahaya-ic.com/index.php/GEdlJ/article/view/2910
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Copyright (c) 2026 Agusti Amelia, Irnalita Irnalita
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