Culture-Integrated Digital Learning: Effects of a Riau Malay-Based Educational Communication E-Module on Students’ Communication Skills, Problem-Solving Ability, Learning Independence, and Cultural Value Internalization

<ns5:p>The integration of digital technology and local culture has emerged as a relevant approach to creating meaningful and contextual learning experiences in higher education. However, empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of culture-based digital learning materials in enhancing students’ competencies and strengthening local cultural values remains limited. This study aimed to examine the effects of a Riau Malay Culture-Based Educational Communication E-Module on students’ communication skills, problem-solving abilities, self-directed learning, and internalization of Malay cultural values. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. The quantitative phase involved 80 students from a university in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, using a one-group pretest-posttest design. Data were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests and Cohen’s d effect size. The qualitative phase consisted of semi-structured interviews with 12 purposively selected students to provide deeper explanations of the quantitative findings. The results revealed significant improvements across all measured variables following the implementation of the e-module (p &lt; 0.001). Communication skills increased from 73.25 to 84.90 (d = 1.03), problem-solving abilities from 70.45 to 82.60 (d = 0.94), self-directed learning from 3.72 to 4.38 (d = 0.88), and internalization of Malay cultural values from 3.95 to 4.63 (d = 0.98). All effect sizes were classified as large. Qualitative findings indicated that the e-module enhanced students’ confidence in communication, fostered analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, promoted independent learning, and strengthened their understanding of Malay cultural values through contextual learning experiences. These findings suggest that integrating local culture into digital learning materials can serve as an effective strategy for improving academic competencies while simultaneously reinforcing students’ cultural identity.</ns5:p>