PROBING ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON SUFISM AND TAREKAT

This study sought to examine the perspectives of students’ master program in Islamic religious education towards Sufism and Tarekat (Sufi orders). Specifically, the analysis focuses on their beliefs regarding the influence of foreign practices on Sufism and their explanations of the controversial doctrines associated with Tarekat. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the study deployed eight respondents who demonstrated high proficiency in the Sufism course. The research employed documentation studies and in-depth interviews as primary techniques. Before and after the Sufism course, respondents underwent assessments to gauge their attitudes towards the central tenets of Sufism and Tarekat. Results of this study indicated significant shifts in viewpoints, with the majority initially holding opposing perspectives that evolved positively after the course. Many graduates embraced Tarekat under the guidance of a Murshîd (spiritual guide) and accepted doctrines such as dhikr-tarekat, talqin-dhikr, ma'rifat, and wahdat al-wujûd. Consequently, Sufism lectures were found to have a constructive impact on fostering religious moderation among students, countering the negative narrative propagated by the Salafi campaign against Sufism and Tarekat. The findings suggest the importance of delivering Sufism lectures in master's program for Islamic religious education, emphasizing an objective approach due to their effectiveness in shaping graduate students' attitudes towards Tarekat

The Development of Reflective Practices for Islamic Religious Education Teachers

Continuous professional development for teachers is crucial in order to enhance their competence and professionalism. It is equally important for student teacher candidates to engage in field practice activities that promote self-reflection. The main objective of this research is to investigate how self-reflection among prospective Islamic Religious Education teachers contributes to the development of their professionalism. The study involved six participants from two universities, namely Unisba (Universitas Islam Bandung) and UPI (Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia). Qualitative methods were employed, utilizing case studies based on Stake's approach (1978). The data collection process involved interviews, observations, and documentation techniques. The analysis was conducted through several stages, including data reduction, presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results reveal that reflective practice enhances pedagogical competence by implementing high-quality, innovative, and creative teaching methods, particularly within the classroom setting. These findings have practical implications for the field practice of Islamic Religious Education teachers in schools. They serve as a valuable resource for teachers to develop new strategies in addressing challenges within the teaching and learning process, ultimately contributing to their professional growth and establishing cultural references

The Development Teacher Role and Counseling at Madrasah Ibtidaiyyah

The purpose of this study is to investigate a new approach to develop teachers’ soft skills and provide counseling guidance for students at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Darud Da'wah wal Irsyad (MI DDI). The research employed a qualitative case study using a bibliographic design with systematic and explicit mapping methods. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews to examine the learning method. The findings show that the innovation role of an Islamic religious education teacher includes counseling activities for students. The collaborative implementation in terms of role between the religious teacher and counselor roles is essential for the successful development of this approach. This research contributes to the development of a new learning method for soft skills and counseling guidance for elementary school students. It demonstrates an effective and efficient strategy to teach and improve teachers’ soft skills by integrating soft skill training into courses focused on hard skills.

Module-Based Training for Teacher Professional Development in Madrasah

In the era of Industry 4.0, teachers are expected to exhibit a professional attitude in fulfilling their educational responsibilities. Despite their involvement in numerous activities, the level of professionalism among teachers has not seen significant growth. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of using the SKI (Sejarah Kebudayaan Islam/Islamic Culture and History) Module in enhancing the professionalism of SKI teachers. The study was conducted in a madrasah affiliated with the Ministry of Religion in the Maluku Province. A total of 20 SKI teachers from the madrasah in Ambon City and Central Maluku Regency were selected as research participants. The research utilized a quantitative-qualitative approach, collecting data through observations, interviews, and product assessments. The results indicated that the module's validity score was 90.38, indicating high validity. The product rating was 3.563.56, demonstrating a very high level of quality. Additionally, the assessment of learning tool preparation scored 7.84, representing a high level of proficiency. The mastery of learning material achieved a score of 82.04, signifying a very high level of competence. The preparation of research proposals scored 69.269.2, indicating a medium level of readiness. Overall, the findings suggest that training using modules can effectively enhance the professionalism of SKI teachers within the Ministry of Religion in the Maluku Province

Probing Experiential Learning Approach in Islamic Religious Education

This study delves into the effective strategies employed in Islamic religious education to illuminate the nexus between instructional approaches and subject matter alignment. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology with a phenomenological orientation, the investigation involved fifteen high school Islamic religious education teachers. Participants were selected using a purposive technique, focusing on eligibility criteria specific to Islamic religious education instructors. Data collection took place through structured interviews with an interview protocol, followed by analysis stages encompassing data collection, reduction, and interpretation. The results discern five overarching themes elucidating the strategies employed in teaching Islamic religious education. Firstly, three schools integrated experiential learning into their pedagogical approach, intertwining it with discussion strategies. Secondly, the application of experiential learning strategies is more straightforward with less intricate subject matter. Thirdly, addressing complex topics necessitates teachers to demonstrate competencies across pedagogical, personal, professional, and social dimensions. Fourthly, not all students readily engage in experiential learning due to unfamiliarity with articulating personal experiences as educational content. Lastly, the study advocates for incorporating advanced methods to tackle complex subject matter. These findings offer a foundational reference for future research endeavors, acknowledging the study's limitations and the recommendations proposed

Ecopedagogy in Action: An Ethnographic Exploration of Environmental Preservation Strategies in Pesantren

The exploitation of gold mining, environmental degradation, and the evident impacts of global warming signal a societal lack of awareness regarding ecological and social hazards. Recognizing the significance of ecological awareness, educational institutions, particularly Islamic boarding schools, are mandated to contribute to the creation of environmentally conscious communities. This research employs a qualitative ethnographic approach to elucidate the practical strategies employed by Indonesian Islamic boarding schools in environmental preservation. The study encompasses four institutions: Islamic Boarding School Biharul Ulum, Agroecology, Bogor; Islamic Boarding School Daarul Falah Bogor; and Islamic Boarding School Ath-Thoriq, Garut. Findings reveal that all three Islamic boarding schools have cultivated environmental consciousness through ecopedagogy, engaging in activities such as planting productive trees within their premises and the surrounding communities. Ecopedagogy involves selecting superior seeds, planting, fertilizing, and harvesting. Additionally, these institutions partake in environmental conservation by raising livestock, including chickens, goats, cows, and fish. Rooted in the teachings of the Al-Qur'an and Hadith, ecopedagogy is delivered through face-to-face instruction, in-depth discussions, and practical field guidance. This ecopedagogical approach, aligned with Islamic teachings, showcases the commitment of these Islamic boarding schools to instilling environmental preservation values in their students, reflecting a comprehensive approach to ecological consciousness

Developing Students' Religious Moderation through Group Counseling at Islamic Higher Education

Tolerance in social life is a need for Indonesian citizens. However, cases of intolerance and violence in the name of religion frequently occur in socia life and might influence students at university This research aims to assess the level of religious moderation comprehension among students at UIN (Universitas Islam Negeri/State Islamic University) Suska Riau through group counseling sessions. The study utilized a quantitative approach, employing a descriptive pre-experimental Intack Group Comparison design. The findings revealed that students' understanding of a moderate attitude significantly increased after participating in group counseling on moderation, with a positive score of 97.5% and a negative score of 2.4%. The inclusion of religious moderation as a theme in group counseling positively impacted students' comprehension and attitude towards religious moderation within society. Notably, two indicators, national commitment and tolerance, exhibited the most significant improvements, with respective increases of 35% and 29%. These results suggest that employing group counseling centered around religious moderation can serve as a model for enhancing students' understanding of religious moderation in society

Implementation of Religious Moderation Values through Strengthening Diversity Tolerance in Madrasah

The objective of this study is to elucidate the integration of religious moderation values within the student body of madrasahs in Sampang Regency, Madura, achieved via collaboration with community and educational professional entities, namely madrasah working groups (KKM), teacher working groups (KKG), subject teacher deliberations (MGMP), and guidance and counseling teacher deliberations (MGBK). Employing a qualitative-phenomenological methodology, this research employs observational and interview techniques to collect data. The findings indicate that the incorporation of religious moderation values has a discernible impact on students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills, facilitated by the influential roles played by social networks and inter-organizational collaborations in Sampang Regency. Educational professional communities and organizations, specifically through KKG and MGMP, significantly contribute to fostering tolerance for student diversity within madrasas, thereby promoting harmony among students from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, and social backgrounds

Advancing Educational Practices: Implementation and Impact of Virtual Reality in Islamic Religious Education

This research explores the creation of Virtual Reality (VR)-based learning tools for Islamic religious education in Integrated Islamic elementary schools. Following a Research and Development (R&D) methodology, the study employs a six-stage approach: investigation, strategizing, enhancement, assessment, realization, and evaluation (ISI-ARE). The resulting product, a VR-based educational module for teaching the Hajj, undergoes rigorous validation by two VR and animation experts, along with an Islamic religious education teacher. Subsequently, the VR-based learning material is tested on 140 students across four Integrated Islamic Elementary Schools (SDIT) in Padang. Student responses are meticulously collected through questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 software.The outcomes affirm unanimous validation from the three evaluators, establishing the suitability of this media for instructional purposes. Additionally, the analysis identifies eight key aspects of student feedback related to VR-based learning, including comprehensibility of materials, clarity of instructional content, visually stimulating presentation, enjoyable and engaging experiences, a sense of realism, eagerness for repeated VR media utilization, and user-friendly accessibility. This pioneering use of VR-based learning significantly enhances the concreteness, authenticity, and enjoyment of the learning process, introducing novel dimensions and experiences to students. It emphasizes the need to continue designing and developing various VR-based resources to strengthen the teaching of Islamic principles

The Qur'anic Learning Based on Islamic Eco-Theology at Pesantren

The research investigates the intersection of Qur'anic learning, eco-theology, and environmental transformation at the Biharul Ulum Agroecology pesantren (BUAP) in Bogor. Recognizing that environmental issues stem largely from human behavior, the study explores how perspectives derived from the holy book influence individuals. Employing moral theory and liberation theology, the research adopts a qualitative and ethnographic approach to reveal the impact of theology-based Al-Quran learning on environmental practices at pesantren. The findings illustrate that eco-theology-based learning has sparked a notable environmental transformation, shielding the community from ecological crises. This transformation unfolds through a multifaceted process: communal dialogues addressing local challenges, rigorous study of the Quran under the guidance of kyai (Islamic scholars), and subsequent environmental conservation initiatives spearheaded by pesantren. The amalgamation of religious teachings with practical actions has not only mitigated environmental crises but has also alleviated social challenges. BUAP serves as a catalyst for positive change and demonstrates the potential of Qur'anic learning to inspire environmentally conscious behavior. This research contributes to understanding the role of Islamic education in fostering eco-conscious attitudes and offers insights into the synergy between religious teachings and environmental stewardship for the betterment of society.