Why Similar Classroom Management Produces Different Student Engagement Outcomes in Islamic Schools?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56587/bemi.v3i2.154Keywords:
classroom management, student engagement, teacher-student interaction, student behaviour, Islamic secondary educationAbstract
Background: Classroom management is widely recognised as a key factor influencing teaching effectiveness and student engagement. However, limited research has examined why similar classroom management strategies can yield different levels of student engagement within the same educational context.
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the implementation of classroom management practices and explore the factors contributing to variations in student engagement in Indonesian Islamic secondary schools.
Method: Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through non-participant classroom observations conducted in four classes (IX B, VII F, VII E, and VII D) at SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Yogyakarta. Observations focused on classroom organisation, behaviour management, teacher-student interactions, and student participation in learning activities. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and differences across the classrooms.
Findings: The findings revealed that teachers applied relatively similar classroom management strategies in all observed classes, including structured classroom organisation, time management, instructional routines, and behaviour regulation. Despite these similarities, substantial differences emerged in the levels of student engagement. Class VII E demonstrated the highest level of engagement, characterised by active participation, positive behavioural responses, and frequent interaction with the teacher, whereas Class IX B and VII D showed lower levels of engagement, characterised by passive participation, indifference, and limited responsiveness. These findings further demonstrate that teacher-student interactions and student behavioural responses play a crucial role in shaping engagement outcomes and help explain why similar classroom management practices result in differing levels of engagement.
References
Akram, H., & Li, S. (2024). Understanding the Role of Teacher-Student Relationships in Students’ Online Learning Engagement: Mediating Role of Academic Motivation. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 131(4), 1415–1438. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125241248709
Amerstorfer, C. M., & Freiin von Münster-Kistner, C. (2021). Student Perceptions of Academic Engagement and Student-Teacher Relationships in Problem-Based Learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.713057
Beahm, L. A., Yan, X., & Cook, B. G. (2021). Where Do Teachers Go for Behavior Management Strategies? Education and Treatment of Children, 44(3), 201–213. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-021-00046-2
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2023). Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing researcher. International Journal of Transgender Health, 24(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2129597
Chelouche-Dwek, G., Clark, C., & Fonagy, P. (2025). Beyond discipline: the power of mentalization in reducing disruptive behavior in schools: a mixed-methods analysis of teacher–child interactions. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1599298
Erdel, D. (2026). A Microecological Analysis of Teacher Leadership and Its Effects on Student Emotions in Lower Secondary-Level English Language Classrooms in Türkiye. SAGE Open, 16(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251412223
Fang, Y., Luo, X., & Lu, J. (2023). A review of research on the impact of the classroom physical environment on schoolchildren’s health. Journal of Building Engineering, 65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105430
Gao, N. A. N. (2022). Individual and Group-wise Classroom Seating Experience : Effects on Student Engagement in Different Courses. Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1145/3550335
Gao, W., & Chen, G. (2022). Family Education Optimization from the Perspective of Complex Discrete Computational Thinking. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6808562
Hagenauer, G., Muehlbacher, F., & Ivanova, M. (2023). “It’s where learning and teaching begins ‒ is this relationship” — insights on the teacher-student relationship at university from the teachers’ perspective. Higher Education, 85(4), 819–835. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-022-00867-z
Hao, X., & Florez-Perez, L. (2021). The Effect Of Classroom Environment On Satisfaction And Performance: Towards Iot-Sustainable Spaces. In IGLC 2021 - 29th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction - Lean Construction in Crisis Times: Responding to the Post-Pandemic AEC Industry Challenges (pp. 443–453). https://doi.org/10.24928/2021/0145
Hasanah, M., Arafat, Y., Barni, M., Raya, A. T., & Aprilianto, A. (2024). Teachers’ Strategies for Managing Disruptive Behavior in The Classroom During The Learning Process. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(3), 628–645. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i3.7
He, X., & Wen, J. (2025). The Impact of Teacher Feedback, Perceived Teacher Support, and Peer Relationships on Online Learning Engagement: An Analysis of the Mediating Effects of Self-Efficacy and Learning Motivation. SAGE Open, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251377995
Jiali, L., & Keat, O. B. (2025). The Mediating Impact of Psychological Safety between Trust in Teachers, Teacher-Student Relationships, Learning Environment and Student Engagement in Vocational Medical College in Guangdong, China. Architecture Image Studies, 6(3), 618–637. https://doi.org/10.62754/ais.v6i3.253
Juma, O., Husiyin, M., Akhat, A., & Habibulla, I. (2022). Students’ Classroom Silence and Hopelessness: The Impact of Teachers’ Immediacy on Mainstream Education. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.819821
Karasova, J., & Nehyba, J. (2023). Student-centered teacher responses to student behavior in the classroom: A systematic review. Frontiers in Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1156530
Kennedy, A. M., & Haydon, T. (2021). Forming and Sustaining High-Quality Student–Teacher Relationships to Reduce Minor Behavioral Incidents. Intervention in School and Clinic, 56(3), 141–147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451220942197
Mayer, S. (2025). The Secret Ingredients to Classroom Management: Research-Based Strategies for Building Positive and Productive Learning Environments. Teacher Educator. https://doi.org/10.1080/08878730.2025.2573372
Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22(October), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789
Owoseni, A., Ibem, E., & Opoko, A. (2020). Impact of Physical Learning Environment on Students’ Learning Outcomes in Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(8), 3635–3642. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.080841
Putra, E., & Yanto, M. (2025a). Classroom management : boosting student success — a meta-analysis review. Cogent Education, 12(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2458630
Putra, E., & Yanto, M. (2025b). Classroom management: boosting student success—a meta-analysis review. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2458630
Rance, G., Dowell, R. C., & Tomlin, D. (2023). The effect of classroom environment on literacy development. Npj Science of Learning, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-023-00157-y
Rivas, A., Mooss, A., Pontier, C. H., Romillo, J., & Muñoz, E. (2023). The effect of Universal Teacher–Child Interaction Training on Hispanic teachers’ sense of self-efficacy in early childhood education and care settings. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-023-00115-6
Shodiq, S. F. (2019). Student Management: A Philosophy Of Contemporary Islamic Education. Journal of Education, Teaching, and Learning, 4(2), 314–320.
Shodiq, S. F., & Syamsudin. (2019). Teacher Identity Reconstruction: Socio-Anthropological Study Of Javanese Society. Cakrawala Pendidikan, 38(3), 477–489. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v38i3.26098
Song, J., Yamauchi, H., Oguchi, T., Ogura, T., Nakamura, Y., & Wang, J. (2023). Effects of web geographic information system (GIS) technology and curriculum approaches on education for disaster risk reduction. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 23(11), 3617–3634. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-3617-2023
Thornberg, R., Forsberg, C., Chiriac, E. H., & Bjereld, Y. (2022). Education Teacher – Student Relationship Quality and Student Engagement : A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study Teacher – Student Relationship Quality and Student Engagement : A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study. Research Papers in Education, 37(6), 840–859. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671522.2020.1864772
Thornberg, R., Forsberg, C., Hammar Chiriac, E., & Bjereld, Y. (2022). Teacher–Student Relationship Quality and Student Engagement: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study. Research Papers in Education, 37(6), 840–859. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671522.2020.1864772
Wang, X. (2023). Exploring positive teacher-student relationships : the synergy of teacher mindfulness and emotional intelligence, (November), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1301786
Wilkins, N. J., Verlenden, J. M. V, Szucs, L. E., & Johns, M. M. (2024). Classroom Management and Facilitation Approaches That Promote School Connectedness, 93(7), 582–593. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13279
Zhang, Q. (2025). The role of EFL teacher immediacy and teacher-student rapport in boosting motivation to learn and academic mindsets in online education. Learning and Motivation, 89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2024.102092
Zhao, Y. Y., Hoque, K. E., & Omar, I. M. (2025). Classroom Management and Teachers’ Practices. In Empowering Educators: Insights from Succession Planning to Classroom Management (pp. 151–171). https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811294730_0010
Zoder-Martell, K. A., Floress, M. T., Skriba, H. A., & Taber, T. A. (2023). Classroom Management Systems to Address Student Disruptive Behavior. Intervention in School and Clinic, 58(5), 361–370. https://doi.org/10.1177/10534512221114397
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Imelda Dwi Lestari, Sadam Fajar Shodiq

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal’s published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).