Assessing Students^ Learning Approaches: Adaptation and Validation of HowULearn for Indonesian Biology Undergraduates
Wasis Wuyung Wisnu Brata, Hendra Susanto, Siti Zubaidah

1 Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia
2 Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

Understanding students^ learning approaches is essential for improving instructional practices and academic outcomes in higher education. However, few validated instruments are available to measure such constructs in the Indonesian context. This study aimed to adapt and validate the HowULearn questionnaire for use among Indonesian undergraduate biology students. The instrument measures students^ learning approaches, encompassing deep, surface, and organized approaches. A total of 424 students participated, with 214 responses analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and 210 through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The adaptation process involved language adjustment and expert validation by three specialists in education and counseling, psychology, and biology education to ensure cultural and contextual equivalence. The EFA results indicated good sampling adequacy (KMO = 0.781) and significant factorability (Bartlett^s test, p < .01), revealing a three-factor structure. CFA confirmed the three-factor model, demonstrating excellent model fit indices (CFI = 0.965, TLI = 0.955, RMSEA = 0.054, SRMR = 0.052). The construct validity was further supported by satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity (AVE and HTMT), and the internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach^s alpha = 0.783). These findings indicate that the Indonesian version of HowULearn is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing students^ learning approaches in higher education. Practically, this instrument can be used by educators and researchers to diagnose students^ learning patterns, design appropriate instructional strategies, and monitor the effectiveness of learning innovations aimed at fostering deep and organized approaches to learning.

Keywords: Keywords: learning approaches, instrument validation, HowULearn, Indonesian students, biology education

Topic: Biology and Biology Education