Fostering Honesty in Generation Z: Islamic Education Teachers' Strategies in the Digital Age
Abstract
This study examines the strategies of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers in fostering honesty values among Generation Z students in senior high schools in Pidie Regency, Indonesia, and their impact on academic achievement and social development. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation at three state senior high schools. The findings reveal five effective strategies: role modeling (uswah hasanah), habituation, dialogic approaches, spiritual reinforcement, and digital media utilization. Role modeling emerged as the most dominant strategy, as Generation Z students respond more strongly to authentic behavior than theoretical advice. These strategies significantly enhanced students' moral awareness, reduced cheating behavior, fostered responsibility and courage to speak honestly, strengthened teacher-student relationships, and improved both academic achievement and social development. The study contributes theoretically by developing a conceptual model integrating PAI strategies with Generation Z characteristics in the digital era, practically by providing guidance for adaptive instructional strategies, and methodologically by offering an analytical framework for character education research. The findings recommend strengthening collaboration among schools, families, and communities, alongside policies supporting teacher digital competency development. However, the study is limited to three schools in Pidie Regency, suggesting future longitudinal research and exploration of technology-based character education models.
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