Heutagogy and Indigenous Knowledge in Integrated Thematic Instruction and Character Education

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility and correlation between the heutagogical approach and indigenous knowledge in thematic instruction that incorporates character education in primary schools situated in Sumbawa Regency, Indonesia. Theoretical framework: Heutagogy is a pedagogical approach that emphasizes learners’ autonomy in determining their learning strategies and assessing their learning outcomes. Using heutagogy as a theoretical framework in learning can facilitate students to take an active role in their education. Method: The method in this study is to use qualitative methods. The data collection process involved conducting in-depth interviews followed by a survey, which was subjected to analysis using descriptive statistics. The survey respondents comprised 34 school principals and teachers from 17 primary schools located in the Sumbawa Regency. Results and conclusion: With a significance value of 0.429, the findings indicated no relationship between thematic learning and character education. Thematic learning and indigenous knowledge did not significantly correlate with one another (significance value 0.69); thematic learning and the heutagogical approach did not significantly correlate with one another (significance value 0.586); indigenous knowledge and the heutagogical approach did not significantly correlate with one another (significance value 0.116); and character education and indigenous knowledge did not significantly correlate with one another (significance value 0.052). Implications of the research: This research contributes to the integrated thematic learning based on indigenous knowledge in schools so that learning management is more effective. Originality/value: The results obtained in this study are innovative and relevant for indigenous knowledge, thematic learning, character values in schools, particularly regarding the indigenous knowledge systems prevalent in the Sumbawa region.