Mataram, March 7, 2024 – The Elementary School Teacher Education Program, Faculty of Education, Universitas Mataram (UNRAM), successfully organized a General Lecture themed “Development of Strategies and Learning Media Based on Culture and Local Wisdom in Elementary Schools” on Thursday, March 7. The event took place at the Dome Building of Universitas Mataram. This General Lecture was attended by lecturers from the Elementary School Teacher Education Program, students of the Elementary School Teacher Education Program, and other general attendees.
This event aimed to enhance understanding the importance of strategies and learning media based on culture and local wisdom in elementary schools. The first speaker for the general Lecture was Prof. Dr. Sutarto, M.Pd., an expert in mathematics from Mandalika University of Education, who also serves as the Chairman of the Learning and Microteaching Education Training Institute (LP3M) at Mandalika University of Education. He possesses extensive experience and outstanding achievements in the field of mathematics. The second speaker was Muhammad Tahir, M. Sn., a lecturer from the Elementary School Teacher Education Program, Faculty of Education, Universitas Mataram, who currently serves as the Head of the Department of Educational Sciences at Universitas Mataram. A welcome address was delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Universitas Mataram (UNRAM), Drs. Lalu Zulkifli, M.Si., Ph.D., expressed his hope that students could apply strategies and learning media based on culture and local wisdom when teaching in elementary schools. He also warmly welcomed Prof. Dr. Sutarto, M.Pd., as the main speaker and expressed his wish to increase the number of similar activities to delve deeper into mathematics and ethno-pedagogy. Dr. Ilham Handika, M.Pd., moderated this general lecture and provided guidance and direction throughout the event. In their presentations, the speakers emphasized that learning strategies are action plans (sequences of activities) that include methods and various resources/strengths in learning. Meanwhile, learning media are tools, procedures, and techniques used to enhance communication and interaction between teachers and students in the educational process at school. Ethno-pedagogy is the actualization of learning that is oriented towards instilling local wisdom values. Ethno-pedagogy in Elementary Schools must be implemented with innovative strategies and learning media capable of capturing students’ attention to understand and apply local wisdom. Local cultural values need to be passed on to students. In a free curriculum, ethno-pedagogy can be integrated into other subjects through projects that strengthen the profile of Pancasila students or subjects (KOS).
The question and answer session was conducted solemnly and pleasantly, where participants actively participated and discussed with Prof. Dr. Sutarto, M.Pd., and Muhammad Tahir, M. Sn to gain a deeper understanding of the topics discussed. A group photo session served as the event’s capstone and a reminder of everyone’s unity in valuing constructive intellectual pursuits. The Mathematics Education Program of FKIP UNRAM extends its gratitude to Prof. Dr. Sutarto, M.Pd., and Muhammad Tahir, M. Sn for their inspirational material and enlightenment in this event. We also thank all participants, the moderator, and everyone involved for supporting and participating in this event. We hope that activities like this will continue to be held to enrich academic insights and enhance understanding of Mathematics to support the development of a more advanced and competitive nation.
