4.1 Research Findings
4.1.2 Students’ Perception
English teacher can collaborate using English in buying and selling these products. The English teacher revealed that in this activity the students felt more challenged because of and excited about learning English to get satisfactory grades, especially in this collaborative project. For the criteria used in her assessment, the English teacher also uses formative and summative assessments and uses assessments that come from the practice carried out by students.
Collaboration between teachers also has many benefits in making student assessments at the end of the semester, because of course teachers have their own criteria for assessing their students both in class and outside the classroom.
In addition, this collaboration between teachers can check the character of each student so that teachers can see what potential their students have. Giving appreciation and appreciation for projects that students do is also an important factor that can support student success in learning. Providing motivation to students makes students more enthusiastic about learning and always wants to do more than the current project.
a) What do you know about the Independent Learning curriculum?
Similar to the questions posed by the author to the teacher, here the author also collects opinions from students who are participants to describe what the meaning of the Independent Learning Curriculum is that he is feeling at the moment. Some of them answered that the Independent Learning Curriculum is a curriculum that emphasizes cooperation, projects, and presentations. In addition, they also revealed that the independent curriculum was an intermediary in strengthening the profile of Pancasila students by studying independently. Some of them also said that with the existence of this the Independent Learning Curriculum their entrepreneurial spirit was more awakened because there were projects that aimed to facilitate students in learning entrepreneurship independently. Students answered that with this independent curriculum, they became more creative and innovative in carrying out assignments given by their teachers. In addition, the learning methods commonly used by teachers also make students more enthusiastic about learning. Before learning begins, students admit that the teacher always motivates students and reviews material that was explained the previous day to provide more knowledge and remind students of past learning. According to students, this independent curriculum can give them the freedom to be able to explore learning both inside and outside the classroom. So here the teacher also often visits a place to explore appropriate learning.
b) What is the differences with the previously implemented curriculum?
For participants who were intended for tenth grade, where only those who had used the independent curriculum, while eleventh and twelfth grade still used the 2013 curriculum, tenth grade certainly did not feel the 2013 curriculum at senior high school, so in this question, students could comparing the 2013 curriculum with the independent curriculum when they were still in junior high school and high school at this time. In addition, students revealed that in this independent curriculum, they had not been grouped into the Science (IPA) and Social Sciences (IPS) majors, therefore tenth graders still used mixed classes with general subjects. The next difference that is felt by students is that when their learning is freed to choose learning methods that suit their interests and the teacher does not force them to choose the same learning model, but in this case the assessment weight remains the same.
Participants admitted that in this independent curriculum they were focused on completing project-based learning to the fullest, teachers often provided project learning to hone students' abilities, and with this project all assessment criteria could be achieved easily. Then, students are given the opportunity to choose at least one or two art subjects and also crafts such as music, dance, or craft subjects. On this occasion the students said that they were very happy with the choice of this subject because they could choose
the subject they liked according to their interests and talents to develop, so there was no compulsion for students to choose this elective.
However, in implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum in tenth grade, especially at SMA N 1 Weleri, tenth grade does not yet have elective or specialization subjects such as specializing in mathematics and also English literature. So in the implementation of the independent learning curriculum in tenth grade, only general subjects are used and there are no elective subjects such as eleventh and twelfth grade.
c) What do you think about why the government launched an Independent Learning curriculum?
In the third question addressed to students about why the government should create an Independent Learning Curriculum. Since the existence of Covid-19, students do not really understand the lessons provided by teachers during online learning, so the government has created the Independent Learning Curriculum to overcome this. Most students answered this question that the government made this independent curriculum of course so that students could have a direct impact on the problems that were in front of them. In other words, students would hone their thinking skills with projects given by the teachers during learning. Then, they revealed that according to them the government had a great desire to catch up on the rankings or rankings of education that were lagging behind. In addition, many of the
students answered that this independent curriculum aims to make students more creative and also innovative with new learning provided by the teacher because in the previous curriculum many students were only passive in class, but with this independent curriculum students became active and enthusiastic in study. Another goal that students express is where this curriculum can make them have the freedom to choose learning according to the interests and talents of each student.
d) Why should the Independent Learning curriculum be applied starting in 2022?
The Independent Learning Curriculum really needs to be implemented this year considering that this curriculum was officially created by the government to advance education in Indonesia, especially for lagging schools. All schools can implement an Independent Learning Curriculum on condition that the teacher is ready to change curriculum and is able to implement it in the classroom when learning takes place. This curriculum does not have specific criteria for its application, but many teachers and students think that in implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum many facilities will be used, therefore there are still many schools that have not implemented the Independent Learning Curriculum because they are afraid that their school does not yet have the proper facilities. Meanwhile, according to students' perceptions about why this Independent Learning
Curriculum needs to be implemented this year, students revealed that in fact they just had to carry out and enjoy the curriculum implemented in their schools without needing to know why they had to change curricula. There was one student who said that the new curriculum was indeed very influential in increasing student learning. They revealed that the implementation of the independent curriculum aims to develop the character of Pancasila students for students, many of them stated that the Independent Learning Curriculum requires them to be more creative and innovative in the learning that is carried out, then they also revealed that this curriculum already uses modern-based learning such as using a lot of technology and ongoing projects so that the Independent Learning Curriculum needs to be implemented this year to improve the quality of education in Indonesia.
They admit that they are very happy with the various projects given by the teacher, especially if the projects can be carried out in groups. Students say that they are happy if learning is carried out on a project-based basis like that and learning is not only carried out in the classroom but even outside the classroom.
e) What are the benefits in implementing this Independent Learning curriculum for students?
In this fifth question, students said that they became more creative and innovative in learning, because they felt more with project-based learning
compared to learning that only existed in class. They thought it was very boring.
So here it can be concluded that this independent curriculum has many benefits for both students, teachers and schools. Students are given the freedom to choose a group of subjects according to what they want, schools are also freed to develop an Independent Learning Curriculum in accordance with the conditions and circumstances that exist in the school, especially SMA N 1 Weleri. In the new independent curriculum implemented by SMA N 1 Weleri, they focus on project-based learning by prioritizing making works that have economic value to be sold so that, apart from being taught to think critically, creatively, and also innovative, of course they are also taught how to do business properly and correctly by using materials that are no longer used or used materials. It can be seen that currently SMA N 1 Weleri has created various works that have been sold to the public such as tissue holders, wall hangings, mirrors, and so on which are made using shells that are no longer used. Because SMA N 1 Weleri is not far from the beach, this work is indeed a mainstay for students who attend school here. Another work produced by the SMA N 1 Weleri is to make carnival clothes which will later be exhibited at the carnival held by the regency. Of course, this is a promotional event for schools by showing off their creativity.
So it can be concluded that many of the students stated that this independent curriculum can make students and also become more interactive
with project-based learning being carried out, there is no such thing as students falling behind in lessons compared to their friends because in the independent curriculum students can choose groups of subjects that they are interested in, making students more creative, innovative, independent and responsible. Apart from focusing on students, the independent curriculum also focuses on teachers to form teachers who are competent in their fields, teachers can also develop their skills in learning by applying learning methods that are appropriate to the conditions and circumstances of their students. In addition, schools that have implemented an independent curriculum can also receive direct guidance and direction from the government on how the independent curriculum can be implemented.
f) How did you feel when you found out the current learning methods are part of the Independent Learning curriculum?
This question is not much different from the previous question in that the previous question was about the learning method that is often used by the teacher, while this question includes how students feel when they find out that the learning method being used by the teacher is an implementation of the independent curriculum. Some of them said that they were very happy with the learning method used by the teacher when implementing this independent curriculum, they admitted that the learning was very fun and creative. Then there are also those who say that they feel more flexible with project-based learning because they can express their ideas freely and are not
bored because they only study in class. However, there are also students who say that the longer they go on, the dizzy and tired they get with continuous project-based learning.
g) What are the characteristics that be seen in this curriculum?
In this question, many of the students revealed that the characteristics of the Independent Learning Curriculum were from the learning methods given by the teacher and the assignments they were working on. They said that in this curriculum they get a lot of assignments related to groups and projects.
The learning model used is also now technology-based, such as often using power point and using learning management system (LMS) in learning.
h) What are the challenges for students regarding of the implementation of this Independent Learning Curriculum?
Actually, there are many challenges that must be faced by teachers and students, because the Independent Learning Curriculum is a new curriculum and was formed during Covid-19, so of course a lot of understanding and direction is needed in its implementation. In the questions asked to students about the challenges they face, here students answer that they are getting busier with the project-based learning they are doing, they also admit that sometimes there are many assignments that must be done at the same time so that it makes them tired and bored quickly. In addition, with project assignments that must be done in groups, they certainly realize that not all group members will be willing and able to work together and it cannot be
denied that there must be group members who do not want to cooperate, which is a challenge for each group.
i) What do you need to prepare in learning after the implementation of this Independent Learning Curriculum?
In this question the students revealed that what they were most prepared for in the implementation of the independent curriculum was of course mental. They have to face many tasks and projects at the same time so mentality and responsibility are important points that must be prepared. Apart from that, they also said that the existence of sophisticated mobile phones and the existence of internet quotas were also important because learning in the independent curriculum had started to use technology in its learning. With an understanding of technology and adequate facilities, of course the independent learning curriculum can be implemented properly.