The Curriculum of Heat Transfer in Vocational Schools for Students with Special Needs

Abstract

Abstract: The target of the learning process must refer to the national curriculum. Since each student has different potential, different techniques must be applied, especially for students with special needs (SSNs) that require special services and education when learning difficult subjects. Heat transfer is one of the crucial materials in a vocational school. However, to achieve the curriculum objectives, SSNs have limitations. Therefore, this study aims to determine the heat transfer material for SSNs in the curriculum in vocational schools (i.e. culinary department). This research used the descriptive qualitative method (i.e., literature study, interviews, and observations). The results showed that the curriculum of heat transfer was taught in grade X in vocational schools since it must become the basis for students for learning other materials in the next grades. The curriculum of heat transfer for SSNs is the same as that for general students. The difference lies in how educational services are carried out. A differentiated curriculum is one of the solutions commonly used by teachers to teach SSNs in achieving students’ learning outcomes. The main prospects gained from this study are (1) to become references for practitioners, educators, and teachers to understand how to teach SSNs, (2) to give knowledge on determining the curriculum of difficult subjects for SSNs in vocational high schools, and (2) to know how Indonesian teachers solve the issue in the curriculum. Keywords: Curriculum, Education, Heat transfer, Students with special needs, Vocational school