International Journal of Geography, Social, and Multicultural Education (IJGSME)
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): 1 October 2026

Culturally Responsive Digital Learning in Social Studies: An Integrative Review and the MOSAIC Model for Integrating Local Diversity into Classroom Innovation

Armawati Hidayat (Institut Agama Islam (IAI) Al-Fatimah Bojonegoro)
Iif Aisyah (Institut Agama Islam (IAI) Al-Fatimah Bojonegoro)
Thorida Nur Asih (Institut Agama Islam (IAI) Al-Fatimah Bojonegoro)
Muhammad Asyroful Mujib (Universitas Jember)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Oct 2026

Abstract

Digital technology can widen access to information and multimodal expression, but it can also reproduce cultural exclusion when classroom innovation ignores learners' languages, identities, places, and community knowledge. This integrative review examined how culturally responsive digital learning can incorporate local diversity into social studies education. The review followed five stages: problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, thematic analysis, and synthesis. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and August 2026 were identified through publisher databases, ERIC, DOAJ, institutional repositories, and reference chaining. Sixteen core empirical studies were retained because they addressed culturally responsive or sustaining pedagogy, technology-supported learning, local history or wisdom, digital storytelling, multicultural inclusion, or student cultural authorship. Five findings emerged. First, local diversity functioned as disciplinary knowledge that connected social studies concepts with identity, place, memory, institutions, and power. Second, digital storytelling, interactive e-books, digital history texts, and collaborative platforms enabled multimodal cultural representation. Third, outcomes were stronger when students became researchers and authors rather than passive technology users. Fourth, critical examination of representation, platform bias, missing voices, and cultural ownership was necessary to prevent tokenism and stereotyping. Fifth, teacher competence, community partnership, equitable access, consent, and reflection determined whether innovation became culturally meaningful. The review proposes the MOSAIC model: Map diversity, Open the curriculum, Source and safeguard knowledge, Author multimodal inquiry, Interrogate representation, and Circulate through dialogue and action. Technology should therefore support locally grounded social inquiry rather than merely digitize conventional instruction.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

ijgsme

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Earth & Planetary Sciences Education Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

The International Journal of Geography, Social, and Multicultural Education is a journal published by the Postgraduate Geography Education at the State University of Surabaya. This journal contains articles related to geography education, social education, and multicultural education. This journal ...