INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO GEOGRAPHY LEARNING: A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEO-CAPABILITIES - Evi Fitriana; Faudina Permatasari (Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram, 2025)
Abstrak: Pendidikan geografi saat ini menghadapi berbagai tantangan, di antaranya keterbatasan akses terhadap teknologi, kurangnya pelatihan guru, serta dominasi metode pengajaran tradisional yang kurang mendukung pengembangan kemampuan geografi secara optimal. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi tantangan sekaligus mengeksplorasi potensi pengembangan geo-capabilities di kalangan guru geografi di Jawa Timur dalam konteks keterbatasan tersebut. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis studi kasus, melibatkan 20 guru geografi dari berbagai sekolah sebagai partisipan. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi kelas, dan dokumentasi pembelajaran. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa geo-capabilities mencakup kemampuan mengintegrasikan pengetahuan geografi dengan teknologi digital, yang dapat meningkatkan keterampilan analisis data spasial, pemikiran kritis, dan pemecahan masalah. Faktor-faktor pendukung utama meliputi pelatihan profesional berkelanjutan, ketersediaan sumber daya digital, dukungan administrasi sekolah, serta jaringan kolaboratif antar guru. Meskipun dihadapkan pada sejumlah kendala, studi ini merekomendasikan pentingnya pelatihan teknis yang berkelanjutan, integrasi teknologi ke dalam kurikulum, dan penguatan kolaborasi guru untuk meningkatkan kualitas pembelajaran geografi dan menyiapkan siswa menghadapi tantangan abad ke-21. Abstract: Geography education currently faces various challenges, including limited access to technology, inadequate teacher training, and the dominance of traditional teaching methods that hinder the optimal development of geographical competencies. This study aims to identify the challenges and explore the potential for developing geo-capabilities among geography teachers in East Java under such limitations. A qualitative case study approach was employed, involving 20 geography teachers from different schools as participants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that geo-capabilities encompass the ability to integrate geographical knowledge with digital technologies, which enhances spatial data analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Key supporting factors include continuous professional development, availability of digital resources, administrative support from schools, and collaborative teacher networks. Despite existing constraints, this study recommends the implementation of ongoing technical training, curriculum integration of digital tools, and strengthened teacher collaboration to improve geography learning outcomes and better prepare students to meet 21st-century challenges.