Innovative Learning Strategies in Social Sciences: The Merdeka Curriculum Experience at Madrasah Tsanawiyah

Diana Mardiati; Syafri Anwar; Darmansyah Darmansyah; Erianjoni Erianjoni; Fadilla Syahriani

doi:10.35445/alishlah.v16i4.5128

Innovative Learning Strategies in Social Sciences: The Merdeka Curriculum Experience at Madrasah Tsanawiyah

Diana Mardiati, Syafri Anwar, Darmansyah Darmansyah, Erianjoni Erianjoni, Fadilla Syahriani

Abstract

This study explores social science teaching strategies implemented under the Merdeka Curriculum at Madrasah Tsanawiyah. The Merdeka Curriculum grants schools autonomy in designing educational approaches to meet specific student needs while aligning with overarching objectives. A qualitative case study approach was employed, incorporating interviews, observations, and document analysis to examine the strategies used by social science teachers at Madrasah Tsanawiyah. The research focused on understanding how educators navigate the curriculum's flexibility and address challenges. The findings reveal that teachers adopt diverse strategies tailored to their students’ needs, emphasizing creativity and engagement despite limited resources and time constraints. These strategies demonstrate educators' commitment to maximizing the potential of the Merdeka Curriculum while overcoming implementation barriers. The study provides valuable insights into the practical application of the Merdeka Curriculum in social science education, particularly in resource-limited contexts. It highlights the importance of teacher adaptability and innovation in achieving curricular goals. These findings have implications for curriculum development, professional growth initiatives, and the broader improvement of social science education. This research contributes to the understanding of curriculum autonomy by illustrating its implementation challenges and opportunities within Madrasah Tsanawiyah. Future studies could explore specific teaching strategies in greater depth, evaluate the curriculum's impact on student outcomes, and identify global parallels to enhance the effectiveness of autonomous educational models in diverse contexts.

Keywords

Exploration; Merdeka Curriculum; Social Science

Full Text:

PDF

References

Adrianus Sihombing, A., Anugrahsari, S., Parlina, N., & Kusumastuti, Y. S. (2021). Merdeka Belajar in an Online Learning during The Covid-19 Outbreak: Concept and Implementation. Asian Journal of University Education, 17(4), 35. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v17i4.16207

Agustina, D., Gleeson, M., & Hubbard, G. (2022). The EFL Teachers’ Perceptions Of Learner Autonomy And Its Development In An Indonesian Context. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 25(2), 520–535. https://doi.org/10.24071/llt.v25i2.4801

Akmal. (2024, January 20). Interview (Pondok Pesantren Ashhabul Yamin Lasi) [Personal communication].

Ali Mursyid, Chyril Futuhana Ahmad, Anggun Kurnia Dewi, & Agnes Yusra Tianti. (2023). Penerapan Kurikulum Merdeka dalam Rencana Pelaksanaan Pembelajaran di Purwakarta. Al-Fahim : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(1), 173–187. https://doi.org/10.54396/alfahim.v5i1.566

Amiruddin, Baharuddin, F. R., Takbir, & Setialaksana, W. (2023). May student-centered principles affect active learning and its counterpart? An empirical study of Indonesian curriculum implementation. SAGE Open, 13(4), 21582440231214375. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231214375

Anggraini, S., & Dewi, S. K. (2023). The effectiveness of using interactive multimodality books in pediatric nursing in implementing Merdeka Belajar program. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 76(5), e20220599. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0599

Asvial, M., Mayangsari, J., & Yudistriansyah, A. (2021). Behavioral Intention of e-Learning: A Case Study of Distance Learning at a Junior High School in Indonesia due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Technology, 12(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v12i1.4281

Camerer, C. F., Dreber, A., Holzmeister, F., Ho, T.-H., Huber, J., Johannesson, M., Kirchler, M., Nave, G., Nosek, B. A., Pfeiffer, T., Altmejd, A., Buttrick, N., Chan, T., Chen, Y., Forsell, E., Gampa, A., Heikensten, E., Hummer, L., Imai, T., … Wu, H. (2018). Evaluating the replicability of social science experiments in Nature and Science between 2010 and 2015. Nature Human Behaviour, 2(9), 637–644. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0399-z

Dash, G., & Paul, J. (2021). CB-SEM vs PLS-SEM methods for research in social sciences and technology forecasting. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 173, 121092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121092

E, W., & Yu, B. (2018). The Deep Ritz Method: A Deep Learning-Based Numerical Algorithm for Solving Variational Problems. Communications in Mathematics and Statistics, 6(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40304-018-0127-z

Fidan, M., & Tuncel, M. (2019). Integrating augmented reality into problem based learning: The effects on learning achievement and attitude in physics education. Computers & Education, 142, 103635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103635

Fitri, A. D. & Asrizal. (2023). Development of Physics E-Module Integrated with PBL Model and Ethnoscience to Improve Students’ 21st Century Skills. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(12), 10610–10618. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i12.5877

Hassanien, A. E., Bhatnagar, R., Khalifa, N. E. M., & Taha, M. H. N. (Eds.). (2020). Toward Social Internet of Things (SIoT): Enabling Technologies, Architectures and Applications: Emerging Technologies for Connected and Smart Social Objects (Vol. 846). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24513-9

Isroatul Khusna, N., Sumarmi, Bachri, S., Astina, I. K., Wahyu Nurhayati, D. A., & P Shresthai, R. (2022a). New Technologies for Project-Based Empathy Learning in Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn): The Use of inaRISK Application and Biopore Technology. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 16(22), 94–110. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v16i22.36153

Isroatul Khusna, N., Sumarmi, Bachri, S., Astina, I. K., Wahyu Nurhayati, D. A., & P Shresthai, R. (2022b). New Technologies for Project-Based Empathy Learning in Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn): The Use of inaRISK Application and Biopore Technology. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 16(22), 94–110. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v16i22.36153

Jorgenson, A. K., Fiske, S., Hubacek, K., Li, J., McGovern, T., Rick, T., Schor, J. B., Solecki, W., York, R., & Zycherman, A. (2019). Social science perspectives on drivers of and responses to global climate change. WIREs Climate Change, 10(1), e554. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.554

Klerkx, L., Jakku, E., & Labarthe, P. (2019). A review of social science on digital agriculture, smart farming and agriculture 4.0: New contributions and a future research agenda. NJAS: Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 90–91(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2019.100315

Lazer, D. M. J., Pentland, A., Watts, D. J., Aral, S., Athey, S., Contractor, N., Freelon, D., Gonzalez-Bailon, S., King, G., Margetts, H., Nelson, A., Salganik, M. J., Strohmaier, M., Vespignani, A., & Wagner, C. (2020). Computational social science: Obstacles and opportunities. Science, 369(6507), 1060–1062. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz8170

Online survey: Evaluation of Indonesian higher education curriculum. (2022). Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.12.04.24

Pal, D., & Vanijja, V. (2020). Perceived usability evaluation of Microsoft Teams as an online learning platform during COVID-19 using system usability scale and technology acceptance model in India. Children and Youth Services Review, 119, 105535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105535

Phitriyah, R. (2024, January 17). Interview (Pondok Pesantren Ashhabul Yamin Lasi) [Personal communication].

Purnomo, A. R., Yulianto, B., Mahdiannur, M. A., & Subekti, H. (2022). Embedding Sustainable Development Goals to Support Curriculum Merdeka Using Projects in Biotechnology. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(1), 406–433. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.1.23

Raissi, M., Perdikaris, P., & Karniadakis, G. E. (2019). Physics-informed neural networks: A deep learning framework for solving forward and inverse problems involving nonlinear partial differential equations. Journal of Computational Physics, 378, 686–707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2018.10.045

Ridayani, Saputra, N., Siagian, N., Owon, R. A. S., & Rawadhy, I. (2022). The correlation of environmental education, environmental knowledge, environmental involvement, and waste management behavior. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1105(1), 012008. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1105/1/012008

Rose, J., & Johnson, C. W. (2020). Contextualizing reliability and validity in qualitative research: Toward more rigorous and trustworthy qualitative social science in leisure research. Journal of Leisure Research, 51(4), 432–451. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2020.1722042

Rozgonjuk, D., Kraav, T., Mikkor, K., Orav-Puurand, K., & Täht, K. (2020). Mathematics anxiety among STEM and social sciences students: The roles of mathematics self-efficacy, and deep and surface approach to learning. International Journal of STEM Education, 7(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00246-z

Salma. (2024, January 17). Interview (Pondok Pesantren Ashhabul Yamin Lasi) [Personal communication].

Suharti, D. S., Suwandi, E., Zumrudiana, A., Indrasari, N., Lestari, I. W., & Rahayu, N. (2022). Negotiating the dual identities of the student-teacher as both a curriculum technician and a curriculum maker. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.56040/ndss1927

Suyadi, Wahyu Asmorojati, A., Yudhana, A., Nuryana, Z., & Binti Siraj, S. (2022). COVID-19 ambassadors: Recognizing Kampus Mengajar at the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program humanitarian projects in the tertiary education curriculum. Frontiers in Education, 7, 902343. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.902343

Syahriani, F., Ananda, A., Montessori, M., Heldi, H., & Yufriadi, F. (2024). Innovations in the Development of Environmental Care Character of Vocational High School in the 21st Century. Journal of Vocational Education Studies (JOVES), 7(1), 45–66. https://doi.org/10.12928/joves.v7i1.9973

Syahriani, F., Yufriadi, F., & Fismanelly. (2023). Empowering the Future: Innovative Education Strategies for Global Skills in the Context of the Golden Generation 2045. International Journal of Applied Educational Research (IJAER), 1(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.59890/ijaer.v1i2.1077

Taridala, S., . S., Sukotjo, E., & Rahmaniar, S. (2023). Implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Program in Improving Teacher Performance and the Quality of Educational Services. International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology, 10(2), 1445–1449. https://doi.org/10.15379/ijmst.v10i2.1495

Thohir, M., Maarif, S., Rosyid, J., Huda, H., & Ahmadi, A. (2021). FROM DISRUPTION TO MOBILIZATION: IRE TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON INDEPENDENT LEARNING POLICY. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 40(2), 359–373. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v40i2.39540

Vela Acero, C., & Jiménez-Cortés, R. (2021). Experiencia de aprendizaje con tecnologías digitales y su influencia en la competencia científica de estudiantes de secundaria. Educar, 58(1), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/educar.1319

Wardani, H. K., Sujarwo, S., Rakhmawati, Y., & Cahyandaru, P. (2023). Analysis of the Impact of the Merdeka Curriculum Policy on Stakeholders at Primary School. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 11(2), 513. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v11i2.801

Wardani, N. E., Suwandi, S., & Ulya, C. (2023). Feasibility Assessment of Merdeka Curriculum in Bahasa Indonesia Digital Textbooks for Class VII Junior High Schools. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 13(12), 3268–3278. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1312.25

Wasehudin, W., Rohman, A., Nizarudin Wajdi, M. B., & Marwan, M. (2023). Transforming Islamic Education through Merdeka Curriculum in Pesantren. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 255–266. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v9i2.28918

Young, M. (2014). Teoria do currículo: O que é e por que é importante. Cadernos de Pesquisa, 44(151), 190–202. https://doi.org/10.1590/198053142851

Yufriadi, F. (2024, January 17). Personal communication, [Personal communication].

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i4.5128