The Elementary School Teacher Education Study Program (PGSD) of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Muhammadiyah University of Cirebon (UMC) is holding a National Seminar and Proceedings for the Dissemination of Scientific Outputs by Lecturers and Students with the theme “Building Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) Competencies for Educators” on Saturday, December 4, 2021.

This activity is part of an effort to support the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Program as well as strengthen the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, especially in the development of research and technology-based learning innovation.

The seminar was opened by the Vice Rector I of UMC, Nana Trisovelna, M.T., who stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the world of education. The shift from face-to-face learning to an online system has presented its own challenges for educators, students, educational staff, and the community in general.

According to Nana, digital-based learning provides flexibility in the teaching and learning process because it is not limited by space and time. However, on the other hand, online learning also presents various challenges, such as decreased interaction between teachers and students, limited understanding of the material, and reduced student motivation to learn.

This situation is one of the important reasons for developing the TPACK approach in education. TPACK is a learning concept that integrates three main elements: technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge, enabling educators to create more effective learning processes that are relevant to the needs of the times.

Through this activity, PGSD UMC brings together academics and researchers to share study results regarding the application of TPACK in improving the quality of learning, especially during the digital transformation of education.

The seminar features two main speakers: Dr. Mamat Supriatna, M.Pd., a Pedagogy lecturer at the Postgraduate School of the Indonesia University of Education (UPI), and M. Ridwan Sutisna, M.Pd., Head of the Information Technology and Digital Learning Division at the Directorate of Information Systems and Technology at UPI.

In addition, PGSD UMC lecturers also presented research findings, including Ellya Rochmah, M.Pd., with a study on the development of digital-based COVID-19 mitigation literacy media, and Susilawati, M.Pd., who presented training on the creation of interactive student worksheets using digital applications.

The activity, guided by Aiman Faiz, M.Pd., was attended by PGSD UMC lecturers and 20 students. The discussion was enthusiastic, featuring various presentations on strategies for implementing technology in learning.

The Head of the PGSD UMC Study Program, Widia Nur Jannah, M.Pd., considers this activity an important momentum to improve the culture of research and community service within the academic environment. According to her, TPACK competence is highly relevant for PGSD students who are being prepared to become prospective elementary school teachers in the 21st-century learning era.

He explained that today's teachers are not only required to understand subject matter but also must be able to choose appropriate teaching methods and utilize technology effectively. With TPACK mastery, prospective educators can design innovative, creative, and relevant learning experiences that align with the developmental needs of students.

Through this national seminar and dissemination proceedings, PGSD UMC hopes to continue to encourage an increase in the competence of academics and prospective teachers so that they are able to face changes in the world of education and contribute to creating quality technology-based learning.