Project to Develop Blitar City Culture-Based Teaching Modules to Stimulate Deep Learning in Elementary Schools

Abstract

The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum demands a shift toward deep learning; however, teachers at SD Laboratorium UM Blitar City faced challenges in systematically integrating local wisdom into teaching modules. This community service project aimed to enhance teachers' pedagogical capacity through the development of Blitar culture-based teaching modules using the Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) approach. The method employed was the Participatory Action Learning System (PALS) with an "In-On-In" training model involving 26 target teachers over eight months. Activities included needs analysis, workshops, the development of Blitar culture-integrated instructional tools (such as Bung Karno's Tomb, Jaranan Tril, and Penataran Temple), and clinical supervision via sit-in observation. The evaluation results demonstrated a significant increase in teacher understanding of deep learning-based CRT, rising from a pre-test average of 45.2% to 89.6% on the post-test (high N-gain category). The developed instructional tools achieved an average feasibility score of 88.5% (highly feasible) and improved classroom management quality by up to 90%. This program proved effective in transforming teacher competence to design mindful, joyful, and meaningful learning while supporting the achievement of SDG 4.