Design of reflective - Sustainable development education oriented project-based learning platform for elementary school students in Indonesia

This study aims to develop a project-based learning platform oriented towards Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and reflective thinking for elementary school students in Indonesia. The platform is designed to support the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum, particularly in science learning (IPA and IPS), integrating reflective aspects and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study employs a Research and Development (R&D) method with a mixed-methods approach involving six elementary school teachers from five districts in East Java. The research stages include needs analysis, platform design, development, trials, and evaluation. The results show that the platform is effective in enhancing teachers' reflective thinking skills, with an average N-Gain score ranging from 91 to 95. Additionally, teachers provided positive perceptions of the platform's implementation within the curriculum, highlighting its potential to boost student engagement and motivation. The study also identifies several challenges in implementing project-based learning in elementary schools, such as integrating the platform with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS), managing time effectively, and adapting to varying technological proficiencies among teachers. Feedback from the participants highlights the importance of user-friendly interfaces and continuous professional development to maximize the platform's effectiveness. Overall, this platform offers an innovative solution for fostering project-based learning in elementary education, aligning with reflective thinking and SDGs. Furthermore, the findings contribute to improving educational practices by offering practical strategies for integrating technology and sustainability-oriented education, thus addressing global and local educational needs. Future research is suggested to explore scalability and long-term impacts of the platform on student learning outcomes and teacher professional growth. However, this study also identified several challenges, including limited technological infrastructure in schools, lack of technical training for teachers, and integration of the platform with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS). To overcome these challenges, continuous efforts are needed to improve teacher capacity and support school infrastructure. Overall, the development of this platform provides an innovative solution and contributes to strengthening the quality of basic education oriented towards Reflective-SDGs, supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals in the education sector.