Teachers' and Students' Perceptions of Using an Android-Based Application in Fiqh Learning at MTs N 3 Rembang

Abstract

Fiqh learning at the Madrasah Tsanawiyah level requires students not only to remember religious rules but also to understand and apply concepts such as thaharah and zakat. Although Android-based learning media have been increasingly used in Islamic education, previous studies have largely focused on product development, feasibility, motivation, or learning outcomes, while qualitative evidence concerning how teachers and students experience Android-based Fiqh learning in everyday classroom practice remains limited. This study therefore explored teachers’ and students’ perceptions and experiences of using an Android-based application in Fiqh learning at MTs N 3 Rembang. A qualitative case study design was employed, with data collected through classroom observation, semi-structured interviews with the Fiqh teacher and purposively selected students, and documentation. Data were analyzed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification, supported by source and technique triangulation. The findings showed that participants generally perceived the application as making Fiqh learning more engaging, facilitating repeated access to learning materials, and supporting self-paced study. Qualitative evidence also indicated that students were able to restate concepts in their own words, provide concrete examples, distinguish related Fiqh categories, and explain some of the reasoning underlying particular rulings. However, these findings represent participants’ perceptions and observed indications of conceptual understanding rather than a statistically demonstrated learning effect. The study also found that the usefulness of the application depended on continued teacher guidance, validation of religious content, and adequate access to smartphones and internet connectivity. The novelty of this study lies in providing an in-depth account of the pedagogical conditions under which Android-based Fiqh learning is experienced and used in a natural madrasah classroom context, extending previous product-oriented research beyond questions of feasibility and motivation.