Comparing Perceived Learning Interest and Perceived Achievement Between Users and Non-Users of Ruangguru: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Studies of Ruangguru mostly examine a single group of students and sometimes use causal wording, while comparisons of users and non-users on perceived outcomes within the same survey are scarce. This exploratory study aimed to describe students’ perceived learning interest and perceived achievement, to compare them between Ruangguru users and non-users, and to examine their association. A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational online survey was conducted on 9–20 December 2024 using snowball sampling among students in East Java (N = 20 analysed). Respondents who currently or previously used Ruangguru (n = 16) were compared with those who had never used it (n = 4). Seven five-point Likert items measured perceived learning interest (three items; α = 0.776) and perceived achievement (four items; α = 0.892), and data were analysed with the Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman’s rank correlation. Users reported higher perceived learning interest (M = 3.67 vs. 2.50; U = 62.5, p = 0.004, |r_rb| = 0.95) and higher perceived achievement (M = 4.03 vs. 2.31; U = 63.0, p = 0.004, |r_rb| = 0.97) than non-users, and the two perceptions were positively correlated (ρ = 0.784, p < 0.001). Interactive features received the lowest agreement (40%). These results indicate associations, not effects of Ruangguru. The sample was small, non-random, and limited to East Java, the non-user group had only four respondents so effect sizes are unstable, and both constructs were self-reported at one time point. The findings are therefore preliminary and call for larger samples, validated instruments, and objective learning outcomes.