Optimizing Social Studies Learning through Implementation Improvements to the Merdeka Curriculum
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study investigates the optimization of Social Studies (IPS) learning through the implementation of Indonesia's Merdeka Curriculum. While aiming to enhance student-centered learning, its implementation faces significant obstacles, including gaps in teachers' conceptual understanding, infrastructural limitations, and difficulties in integrating character values. Employing a qualitative approach with a case study design, this research gathered data through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis to comprehensively analyze these obstacles, their causal factors, and potential improvement strategies. Key findings reveal that learning ineffectiveness stems from a combination of structural factors (e.g., uneven policy socialization), pedagogical factors (e.g., dominance of conventional methods), and contextual factors (e.g., student heterogeneity). Consequently, this research formulates an integrated optimization strategy that encompasses differentiated learning, transformative integration of Pancasila values, and sustained teacher capacity building through professional learning communities. This holistic strategy is shown to significantly improve student engagement, conceptual understanding, and character value internalization, underscoring its importance for effective curriculum reform.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Akhiruddin, Akhiruddin, Imam Bashori, and Yuniati Pasiamping. “The Influence of Differentiated Learning Strategies on Motivation and Geography Learning Outcomes.” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan 16, no. 3 (July 21, 2024): 3732–41. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i3.5073.
Basri, Wahidul, and Tysa Sufia Rahmi. “Kendala Guru Dalam Mengimplementasikan Kurikulum Merdeka Pada Pembelajaran IPS Tingkat Sekolah Menengah Pertama.” Journal of Moral and Civic Education 7, no. 1 (June 17, 2023): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.24036/8851412712023733.
Dang, Hue Thi Thu, Dien Thi Bui, Quoc Anh Vuong, Huong Giang Thi Phan, Chi Thi Nguyen, and Bich Dao Thi Pham. “Teachers’ Perspectives on the Implementation of the New National Curriculum - Dataset from Vietnam.” Data in Brief 49 (August 2023): 109451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109451.
Fullan, Michael. “Change Theory as a Force for School Improvement.” In Intelligent Leadership, 27–39. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6022-9_3.
Khairunniza, Liza Dwi Eftiza, and Aim Abdulkarim. “Integrating Critical Thinking in Social Studies Education to Understand Social Change and Address the Phenomenon of Cancel Culture.” Pedagogi: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan 25, no. 2 (December 1, 2025): 401–9. https://doi.org/10.24036/pedagogi.v25i2.2631.
Lickona, Thomas. “Character Education.” In Instructional-Design Theories and Models, 591–612. New York: Routledge, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410603784-28.
Luthfia, Ayudhia Nur, Desy Safitri, and Sujarwo. “Analisis Hambatan Dan Kompleksitas Dalam Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Pada Proses Pembelajaran IPS Di SMP 11 Muhammadiyah Jakarta.” Jurnal Pendidikan Siber Nusantara 2, no. 1 (March 29, 2024): 22–27. https://doi.org/10.38035/jpsn.v2i1.139.
Musliman, Acep, Usep Kasman, and Fitri Damayanti. “Lesson Study: Membangun Kolaborasi Komunitas Pembelajar Di SMAN 1 Kota Depok.” Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Biologi Dan Sains 2, no. 1 (June 30, 2023): 58–67. https://doi.org/10.30998/jpmbio.v2i1.1890.
Natalis, Natalis Gerso, M. Iqbal Ibrahim H, and Agi Ma’ruf Wijaya. “Analisis Pembelajaran IPS Pada Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar Di SMP Argopuro 1 Kabupaten Jember.” Utile: Jurnal Kependidikan 10, no. 2 (December 30, 2024): 82–92. https://doi.org/10.37150/jut.v10i2.3117.
Ramdhani, Nelli Nur, Raden Mutiara, and Rusi Rusmiati Aliyyah. “Implementasi Media Pembelajaran Pada Kurikulum Merdeka Di Sekolah Menengah Pertama: Studi Analisis Tematik.” Karimah Tauhid 3, no. 8 (August 8, 2024): 8541–52. https://doi.org/10.30997/karimahtauhid.v3i8.14412.
Reza, Fahrani, Zuliati Rohmah, and Nur Nabilah Abdullah. “Challenges in Implementing Kurikulum Merdeka for EFL Teachers.” JEELS (Journal of English Education and Linguistics Studies) 10, no. 2 (November 22, 2023): 439–69. https://doi.org/10.30762/jeels.v10i2.1899.
Rusmaniah, Rusmaniah, Nur Annisa, Raihanah Sari, Muhammad Rezky Noor Handy, and Ersis Warmansyah Abbas. “Strengthening the Profile of Pancasila Students Through Differentiated Learning in Social Studies Subjects.” International Conference On Social Science Education Proceeding 2 (December 31, 2024): 282–90. https://doi.org/10.20527/r7e1aj84.
Sritanti, Alvina Ajeng, Juhadi Juhadi, and Eko Handoyo. “Evaluation of Differentiated Learning for Social Studies in TheIndependent Curriculum at Semarang Middle Schools.” Journal of Educational Social Studies 13, no. 2 (December 31, 2024): 110–19. https://doi.org/10.15294/jess.v13i2.14148.
Susanti, Atika, Ady Darmansyah, Deahayu Ning Tyas, Rahmat Hidayat, Devia Okta Syahputri, Siti Wulandari, and Annisa Rahmasari. “The Implementation of Project for Strengthening the Profile of Pancasila Students in the Independent Curriculum for Elementary School Students.” IJECA (International Journal of Education and Curriculum Application) 6, no. 2 (July 20, 2023): 113–22. https://doi.org/10.31764/ijeca.v6i2.15474.
Wibowo, Sigit, Muhammad Nur Wangid, and Fery Muhamad Firdaus. “The Relevance of Vygotsky’s Constructivism Learning Theory with the Differentiated Learning Primary Schools.” Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn) 19, no. 1 (February 2, 2025): 431–40. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21197.
Widodo, Joko, and Ahmad Sehabuddin. “Optimalisasi Penerapan P5 (Projek Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila) Pada Tema Kewirausahaan Bagi Guru MGMP Ekonomi Jawa Tengah.” Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Progresif Humanis Brainstorming 8, no. 3 (July 31, 2025): 663–70. https://doi.org/10.30591/japhb.v8i3.8734.
Yunitasari, Dukha, I Wayan Suastra, and I Wayan Lasmawan. “Implementation Challenges of Merdeka Curriculum in Primary Schools.” Prisma Sains : Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu Dan Pembelajaran Matematika Dan IPA IKIP Mataram 11, no. 4 (August 30, 2023): 952–959. https://doi.org/10.33394/j-ps.v11i4.8079.