Electroencephalography (EEG) Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Index as an Indicator of Children’s Emotions in the Three Quran Learning Methods: Visual, Auditory, and Memory

Muhammad Khafid Syaifulloh; Muchtar Hanafi; Tonang Dwi Ardyanto; Nanang Wiyono; Pepi Budianto; Jumiatmoko Jumiatmoko

doi:10.18502/ijps.v18i1.11417

Muhammad Khafid Syaifulloh Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
Muchtar Hanafi Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
Tonang Dwi Ardyanto Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia
Nanang Wiyono Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia
Pepi Budianto Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.
Jumiatmoko Jumiatmoko Department of Early Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v18i1.11417

Keywords: Brain Waves; Children; Electroencephalography; Learning

Abstract

Objective: Quran memorization is familiar in Indonesia since early childhood (EC) education level and it is reported to have a positive effect on children’s emotional state. This study investigates how Quran memorization influences children’s emotions in a certain condition using Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA) index.

Method: The participants were 4 children aged 5-7 years, studying at Islamic-based schools in Surakarta. The tasks included three methods of Quran learning: visual, by watching videos; auditory, by listening to murattal recitations of the Quran; and memory, by repeating rote. The FAA index measurement used absolute power data obtained from Electroencephalography (EEG) by calculating the natural logarithm (ln [right alpha power] – ln [left alpha power]) from channel F8 and channel F7 respectively.

Results: The majority of participants showed a positive FAA index in almost all tasks. The FAA index of various tasks were not significantly different from each other, with P = 0.592 based on Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. The post hoc Mann-Whitney U test does not find any intervention that stands out among the others.

Conclusion: Learning the Quran with methods that involve visual, auditory, and memory activities results in positive, happy, motivated and excited feelings in children’s emotional state based on the FAA index assessment.