Al Ulya: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam

A Deep Learning–Based Islamic Education Learning Model for Developing Students’ Higher Order Thinking Skills

2025-12-30T04:05:31+00:00

This study examines the construction, implementation, and contribution of a deep learning–based Islamic education learning model to the development of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) among primary school students. It employs an interpretive qualitative approach with an intrinsic case study design and was conducted at SD Muhammadiyah 21 Surabaya. Data were collected through classroom observations, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, and were thematically analyzed using reflective coding techniques. The findings indicate that the deep learning–based Islamic education model emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, reflective dialogue, contextual learning, and the internalization of Islamic values. The implementation of this model shifts Islamic education instruction from a normative, memorization-oriented approach to meaningful, dialogical learning. Empirical evidence further demonstrates that the model is effective at fostering students’ analytical, evaluative, and reflective thinking abilities while strengthening moral awareness and character formation.

Digitalization Challenges and PAI Learning: Strengthening Digital Islamic Literacy as a Modern Spiritual Strategy at Senior High School

2025-12-13T07:03:55+00:00

This study aims to understand how digital Islamic literacy serves as a modern spiritual tool for students experiencing digital fatigue at SMAN 1 Gedangan Sidoarjo. Digital fatigue has become a serious problem among teenagers, characterized by decreased motivation to study, stress, and spiritual exhaustion stemming from excessive social media use. This study uses a qualitative case study approach, employing data collection techniques such as observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles & Huberman interactive model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that digitalization has an ambivalent impact on students' spirituality: on the one hand, it facilitates access to religious knowledge, but on the other hand, it causes distraction and mental fatigue (digital fatigue). Through the integration of digital Islamic literacy, PAI learning has successfully transformed from a lecture-based method to an interactive dialogue focused on reflecting on Islamic values in the virtual world. Digital Islamic literacy has been shown to strengthen critical thinking skills, spiritual awareness, and the ability to select and interpret religious content in context. The conclusion of this study confirms that digital Islamic literacy not only improves students' technological skills but also serves as a means of reactivating.

Trends and Research Landscape of Innovative Teaching Methods for Islamic Education Teachers

2026-01-09T10:27:13+00:00

.This study was motivated by the rapid development of digital technology, which has driven a paradigm shift in Islamic Religious Education. The study aims to analyze trends, productivity, and the direction of research on innovative teaching methods for IRE teachers during the period 2015–2025. The method used is bibliometric analysis with a descriptive quantitative approach to secondary data sourced from the Scopus database. A total of 331 articles were analyzed using Biblioshiny for RStudio and VOSviewer 1.6.20 through keyword co-occurrence mapping and thematic mapping. The results showed a significant increase in publications since 2019, with Indonesia as the largest contributor, followed by Malaysia and Turkey. The dominant themes included Islamic education, innovation, digital learning, blended learning, and problem-based learning. These findings confirm a shift in research focus from conventional learning approaches to the integration of Islamic values with innovations in learning technology. Theoretically, this study fills a gap in research by mapping the global landscape and direction of Islamic religious education research. In practical terms, the results of this study provide a reference for educators and researchers in developing Islamic religious education learning that is relevant to the demands of 21st-century education.

Teungku, Dayah, and Traditional Books: Teungku's Teaching Style at Dayah Miftahul Jannah in West Aceh

2026-03-04T02:10:26+00:00

Dayah plays an important role in preserving Islamic scholarly traditions through the study of classical texts. Students' success in understanding classical texts is greatly influenced by Teungku's teaching style. Previous studies have discussed classical texts, but research on Teungku's teaching in traditional Dayah remains limited, especially at Dayah Miftahul Jannah in West Aceh. The novelty of this research lies in its detailed examination of the Teungku's unique teaching style and in broadening the pedagogical perspective of Islamic education. Thus, this study aims to describe the Teungku's teaching style, the role of classical Islamic texts in traditional learning, and the methods used in the teaching process at Islamic boarding schools. This study uses a qualitative research method with a case study design, employing observation, interviews with Teungku and Dayah administrators, and documentation. The results of this study indicate that the method used by Teungku at Dayah Miftahul Jannah is shurah, which involves reading the book and its translation, then explaining it. This study contributes academically by providing insight into traditional teaching strategies and the development of Islamic education based on turats. Teungku's teaching style is very important for the students' understanding of the turats books.

The Concept of Islamization of Knowledge in the Thought of Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas: An Effort to Build a True Islamic Epistemology

2025-10-05T23:27:48+00:00

This article aims to examine the conceptual construction of the true Islamic paradigm according to Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas and evaluate its relevance and contribution to the development of contemporary Islamic epistemology and education systems. This study uses the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method by analyzing 24 scientific articles selected from 100 Scopus journal publications published between 2015 and 2025. The selection process was based on inclusion criteria that included the type of scientific journal article, direct relevance to the concept of Islamization of knowledge according to al-Attas, open access, and the most recent publication period to ensure the relevance and credibility of the sources. The results of the study show that the true Islamic paradigm constructed by al-Attas is based on the worldview of tawhid, placing adab as the epistemological basis, and positioning science as an instrument for self-knowledge, knowledge of God, and knowledge of reality. This paradigm rejects epistemological secularism and the dichotomy of science, and integrates the dimensions of revelation, reason, intuition, and experience into a holistic Islamic scientific framework. The uniqueness of this study lies in its affirmation of the integral relationship between adab and the structure of knowledge as the foundation of the Islamization of science, which has not been systematically elaborated in previous studies. This paradigm makes a significant contribution to strengthening Islamic epistemology that has spiritual value as well as reforming the education system through the concepts of ta'dib, the hierarchy of knowledge, and the integration of a curriculum based on maqasid al-shari'ah. Thus, the true Islamic paradigm is not only the theoretical basis for the Islamization of science, but also a strategic offer in the reconstruction of an integral and civilized Islamic education system.

Development of Virtual Reality-Based Learning Media for Islamic Cultural History in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah

2026-03-26T10:49:54+00:00

The subject of Islamic Cultural History (Sejarah Kebudayaan Islam/SKI) plays a crucial role in fostering students’ understanding and appreciation of Islamic civilization. However, its implementation at the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) level often faces challenges, including limited visual learning resources and a lack of contextualized materials. This study aims to develop a Virtual Reality (VR)-based learning medium to provide an immersive and engaging experience, particularly in exploring the historical legacy of Islam in the Indonesian archipelago. This research employed the ADDIE model, consisting of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation stages. The results of expert validation indicate that the developed media is highly feasible, with scores of 86% from subject-matter experts and 81% from media experts. Field testing further shows a practicality level of 87%, demonstrating that the media is user-friendly and suitable for classroom use. Moreover, the effectiveness of the VR-based media is reflected in the significant improvement of students’ learning outcomes in the experimental group compared to the control group. Overall, VR-based learning media enhances students’ understanding and offers an innovative, technology-integrated, and contextually relevant approach to teaching SKI, with potential for broader application in Islamic education.

A Learning Needs Analysis of PAI for Strengthening Qur’anic Literacy at Vocational High School

2026-04-01T00:07:10+00:00

Islamic Religious Education plays a strategic role in shaping students’ religious character, particularly through mastery of Qur’anic reading and writing skills (BTQ), which serve as the foundation of religious learning. However, at the vocational high school level, disparities in students’ basic BTQ abilities persist, affecting the effectiveness of Islamic Religious Education learning. Previous studies have largely emphasized the use of learning media or digital approaches in religious education, while studies that specifically analyze the learning needs of BTQ and its integration with the school’s academic system remain limited. This study aims to analyze the learning needs of Islamic Religious Education in improving students’ Qur’anic reading and writing skills at SMK Negeri 1 Kepanjen, Malang. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with one Islamic Religious Education teacher, observations of the learning process, and documentation studies, and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, which includes data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results show that the main need in Islamic Religious Education learning lies in strengthening students’ basic BTQ abilities, which are still uneven in both reading and writing Arabic letters. Observation and interview findings indicate that some students still have difficulty reading the Qur’an fluently and writing Arabic letters correctly. To address this condition, the school developed a learning innovation through the Qur’an Reading Completion Program (Tuntas Baca Al-Qur’an) integrated into the school’s academic system through the use of pocket books, recitation submissions, and the gradual strengthening of reading and writing practice, which helps teachers monitor the development of students’ BTQ abilities more systematically. This study concludes that strengthening BTQ should be designed in an adaptive, tiered, and sustainable manner as a strategic component of Islamic Religious Education.

The Impact of the Mediatization of Nahdlatul Ulama’s Controversial Issues on the Transformation of Islamic Education in Indonesia

2026-02-23T09:21:42+00:00

The mediatization of controversial issues involving major religious organizations in Indonesia increasingly shapes how the public perceives these organizations' roles, authority, and institutional legitimacy, including in the realm of Islamic education within the digital public sphere. News coverage of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) not only reflects the organization’s dynamics but also has the potential to influence public perception of its contribution to the transformation of Islamic education. This study aims to analyze how online media coverage of controversial issues involving Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) shapes public perceptions of the organization and its impact on the transformation of Islamic education in Indonesia. The study employs a constructivist approach using qualitative content analysis of 30 articles selected from 300 online media articles published between May and December 2025, chosen based on relevance criteria. Data analysis was conducted through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions, supported by Discourse Network Analysis (DNA) to map discourse relations and media framing patterns. The results of the study reveal a polarization of discourse between mainstream media—which tends to produce problematic and critical frames of NU—and NU-affiliated media, which emphasizes affirmative and legitimizing narratives. The findings also reveal that NU education's role as an agent of social and educational transformation is often marginalized. This situation has the potential to influence shifts in public perception regarding the symbolic legitimacy of NU education in the digital public sphere. This study contributes to the study of the mediatization of religion by focusing on media discourse analysis.

Integrative Model of Islamic Religious Education through Habituation and Mutaba’ah at SMK Tiara Lahat

2026-04-08T21:41:55+00:00

This study is motivated by the low level of students’ religious practices in general schools, which are not yet optimal in developing religious character. This study aims to analyze the innovation of the Islamic Religious Education (PAI) curriculum based on religious habituation and mutaba’ah at SMK Tiara Lahat. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving a PAI teacher, the vice principal of curriculum, and students. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results show that the PAI curriculum innovation is implemented through digital-based learning, religious habituation such as prayer, dhikr, Qur’an recitation submission, congregational dhuha and zuhr prayers, and mutaba’ah-based evaluation. This innovation positively impacts students’ religious awareness, both in understanding and in practicing religious values. In conclusion, the innovation of the PAI curriculum based on religious habituation and mutaba’ah can serve as an alternative model for curriculum development in general schools, although improvements in facilities and environmental support are still needed.

Integrating Islamic Education Curriculum within the Nature-based School Concept: A Literature Review

2026-04-08T21:39:30+00:00

This study examines the integration of Islamic Education (IE) within the Nature-Based School (NBS) paradigm, which connects spiritual learning with direct, nature-based experiences. The purpose of the research is to synthesize integration models and research trends, and to identify challenges and solutions for IE implementation through a literature review. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with a PRISMA flow, applied to hundreds of selected articles, resulting in 46 relevant studies. The results of the study show that the integration of IE in NBS is dominated by experiential, outdoor, and project-based learning approaches that align with the concept of natural tafakur. The main values produced include strengthening morals, spirituality, and ecological awareness as part of the human role as khalifah fil ardhi. However, this study has limitations on the use of secondary data without direct empirical verification in the field, so it does not fully describe practical implementation in context. In addition, variations in the quality and context of the analyzed studies affected the depth of synthesis. Therefore, further research is recommended to conduct more comprehensive field studies, deepen the understanding of curriculum and teacher competencies, and examine the long-term impact of IE integration on students' character development.