Integrating Scientific Pedagogy and Teacher Creativity: Their Impact on Student Motivation in Junior High School Learning Environments

Abstract

Introduction: Student learning motivation plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of the educational process, particularly in secondary school settings. However, many classroom practices still lack active student engagement due to limited instructional variation. The adoption of a scientific approach and the enhancement of teacher creativity are considered essential strategies to create interactive and meaningful learning experiences.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of the implementation of a scientific approach and teacher creativity on students’ learning motivation, both individually and simultaneously.
Methods: A quantitative correlational design was employed in this study. The participants consisted of 169 eighth-grade students from a public junior high school. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to determine the partial and combined influence of the independent variables on students’ learning motivation.
Results: The findings indicate that the implementation of a scientific approach has a positive and significant effect on students’ learning motivation, contributing approximately 24.2%. Teacher creativity also shows a positive influence, with a contribution of 11.1%. Furthermore, the simultaneous test demonstrates that both variables significantly affect learning motivation (F = 21.218; p < 0.001), indicating that the integration of structured teaching approaches and creative instructional practices plays an important role in enhancing student motivation.
Conclusions: The study concludes that both the scientific approach and teacher creativity significantly influence students’ learning motivation, either independently or in combination. These findings suggest that optimizing instructional strategies through systematic and innovative teaching practices is essential to promote a more engaging and motivating learning environment in secondary education.