The Curriculum Workshop for Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris Study Programme at Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman was held on Friday (03/11/2021). The Programme Coordinator, Bapak Slamet Riyadi, M.Pd., explained that “The purpose of holding this curriculum workshop is to review the current curriculum so that it can be adjusted to meet the demands of educational development in the present era.” Furthermore, Bapak Slamet elaborated that with the addition of a new program called Kampus Merdeka (Independent Campus), the study programme is required to prepare its students to be more dynamic and ready for the working world. For this reason, Kampus Merdeka grants students the right to engage in activities outside their study programme to study at other universities, participate in internship programs, engage in humanitarian activities, or conduct independent research and studies. Therefore, the study programme must prepare a more flexible curriculum.
The workshop featured two speakers: a lecturer from Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris (PBIng) Study Programme, Muhamad Ahsanu, Ph.D., and a lecturer from UIN Saifuddin Zuhri, Purwokerto, Windhariyati Dyah Kusumawanti, M.A., M.Pd., and was moderated by PBIng lecturer, Mustasyfa Thabib Kariadi, M.Pd.
In her presentation titled “Independent Learning, Independent Campus“, Ibu Windha, as she is affectionately known, explained education policy, particularly regarding the Kampus Merdeka program. Starting from the Objectives of National Education in Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System, Ibu Windha explained that whatever policies the government creates in the field of education must be able to realize the aspirations of the Law, namely forming students who are faithful and devoted to God Almighty, have noble character, are healthy, knowledgeable, capable, creative, independent, and become democratic and responsible citizens. These educational objectives point to a balance between knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Still in her presentation, Ibu Windha linked the need for curriculum adaptation to the challenges of changing times. With rapid changes in the era of Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0, curriculum change is inevitable. This challenge is increasingly evident with the need for 16 types of skills to develop in students in the 21st century as outlined by The World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2017. The Kampus Merdeka policy, by providing 40 credits for learning outside campus, is expected to guide the direction of the teaching and learning process on campus to prepare capable and reliable students for the 21st century. Of course, in its implementation, various levels of unpreparedness are still found, but a good educator must be ready to be more oriented toward achieving benefits.
In the second presentation, Dr. Ahsanu explained the concept of curriculum from philosophical levels to curriculum forms in various countries. However, despite the various variations that exist, in any curriculum, at the very least, the following elements must be fulfilled: objectives and targets, content, sequence, and evaluation. Curriculum is dynamic in nature, making it very possible to make various changes. Curriculum development refers to planning and implementing processes related to changes and innovations that are undertaken.
“Curriculum is not merely a list of topics but a curriculum is a map that directs teachers to be able to guide students to achieve expected learning outcomes,” Dr. Ahsanu affirmed in his presentation. Furthermore, he added that teachers should not merely be holders of learning authority but should be intellectuals capable of awakening students’ critical awareness of themselves and their environment.
Following the presentations, the event continued with lively and interactive discussion among participants and presenters. One of the discussions that emerged was how to address the need for students, as prospective education graduates, to maintain a solid foundation of knowledge, attitudes, and skills with only five semesters remaining. (NR)