Analisis Beban Kerja Mental Menggunakan Metode Nasa-TLX Dan RSME: Studi Kasus Sekolah Alam Palembang

Abstract

Mental workload and work fatigue have become global concerns, particularly in the education sector where teachers and administrative staff face high cognitive, emotional, and administrative demands. This study aims to analyze the level of mental workload experienced by teachers and administrative staff at Sekolah Alam Palembang (SAPA)—a nature-based school—using the NASA-TLX and RSME methods, and to examine the relationship between mental workload measured by NASA-TLX and mental effort measured by RSME. This research used a quantitative descriptive-correlational approach involving 33 respondents grouped into leadership, class teachers, subject teachers, and administrative staff. Data were collected through NASA-TLX and RSME questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, difference tests, and Pearson correlation. The results show that the mean NASA-TLX Weighted Workload score was 66.71 (high category), with 94% of respondents in the high to very high category; the Effort and Mental Demand dimensions were the most dominant, while Frustration was the lowest. The mean RSME score was 101.67 (high category), confirming the NASA-TLX findings. The leadership group consistently recorded the highest mental workload; differences between job groups were significant on RSME (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.038) but not on NASA-TLX (Welch ANOVA, p = 0.124). Length of service (junior versus senior) was not significantly related to mental workload. A moderate, significant positive correlation was found between NASA-TLX and RSME (r = 0.472; p = 0.006), supporting the convergent validity of both instruments. These findings imply the need for redistribution of dual-role workloads, stress-management programs, and periodic workload monitoring.