Feasibility Assessment of Merdeka Curriculum in Bahasa Indonesia Digital Textbooks for Class VII Junior High Schools

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the feasibility of Bahasa Indonesia digital textbooks used in Merdeka Curriculum for class VII. By employing qualitative descriptive approach with a content analysis strategy, data were collected from various sources, including Bahasa Indonesia digital textbooks published by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Indonesia (MECRTI) and PT Erlangga Indonesia (PTEI). Additionally, inputs from informants and teacher questionnaires were considered during the data collection process, which involved analyzing digital textbooks, conducting informant interviews, and administering teacher questionnaires. To ensure data validity, data source triangulation method was used, while the data analysis technique employed was interactive analysis. The results showed that both Bahasa Indonesia digital textbooks published by MECRTI and PTEI contained learning materials encompassing descriptive, narrative, procedure, response, news, and letter texts. It should be noted that there were significant differences between the two textbooks. For example, the book published by MECRTI included learning objectives but lacked specific learning outcomes, while the one published by PTEI encompassed both learning objectives and outcomes. Digital textbook from PTEI was equipped with a QR code, facilitating easy access to media and learning resources, while the one from MECRTI was available in the form of e-books but did not provide a QR code. Both digital textbooks showed feasibility across various aspects, including sophistication, contextuality, relevance, creativity of supporting materials, linguistic aspects, and overall structure (beginning, content, and closing). However, the results showed that digital textbook published by PTEI outperformed the one by MECRTI.