Innovative Technology-Driven Curriculum in PAI and Students Critical Thinking Development
Article Sidebar
-
Technology, Curriculum, Critical Thinking Skills, Islamic Religious Education, Interactive Learning
Abstract
This study examines the influence of a technology and reativity-based curriculum on students critical thinking skills in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) subjects at the high school level. A curriculum based on technology and creativity integrates the use of digital tools and creative approaches in learning, aiming to prepare students to face the challenges of the digital era with strong analytical and innovative skills. Through a literature review approach, this study analyzes various studies linking the application of technology in learning to improvements in critical thinking skills. The analysis results show that integrating technology and creativity into the IRE curriculum positively impacts students’ abilities in analysis, evaluation, and decision making. The conclusion of this study highlights the importance of implementing a technology and creativity-based curriculum to create an interactive and relevant learning environment, supporting students’ character development and critical thinking skills essential in the modern era. This study recommends developing a responsive curriculum and training teachers in educational technology to optimize the curriculum’s implementation.
Full text article
References
[1] A. Metasari and N. Amalia, “Analytical study: The use of digital technology-based learning media at alam surya mentari elementary school,” Jurnal Elementaria Edukasia, vol. 7, no. 2, 2024.
[2] D. S. S. Wuisan, R. A. Sunardjo, Q. Aini, N. A. Yusuf, and U. Rahardja, “Integrating artificial intelligence in human resource management: A smartpls approach for entrepreneurial success,” Aptisi Transactions on Technopreneurship (ATT), vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 334–345, 2023, https://doi.org/10.34306/att.v5i3.355.
[3] T. N. Kuntadi and F. D. Hidayat, “Training children’s character education through technology-based learning media,” International Journal of Education, Language, Literature, Arts, Culture, and Social Humanities, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 35–44, 2023.
[4] B. Thornhill-Miller, A. Camarda, M. Mercier, J.-M. Burkhardt, T. Morisseau, S. Bourgeois-Bougrine, F. Vinchon, S. El Hayek, M. Augereau-Landais, F. Mourey et al., “Creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration: Assessment, certification, and promotion of 21st century skills for the future of work and education,” Journal of Intelligence, vol. 11, no. 3, p. 54, 2023.
[5] S. Sawaluddin, K. Syahbudin, I. Rido, and S. Ritonga, “Creativity on student learning outcomes in al-quran hadith subjects,” Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 257–263, 2022.
[6] T. S. Goh, I. Dahil, A. Rohim, S. Maulana, V. D. Sulaiman et al., “Ai chatbots driving fintech user satisfaction via trust and service quality,” in 2025 4th International Conference on Creative Communication and Innovative Technology (ICCIT). IEEE, 2025, pp. 1–7.
[7] M. H. Musolin, R. O. H. Serour, M. Siregar, S. A. Hamid, A. Ismail, M. Huda, and M. A. Rohim, “Developing personalised islamic learning in digital age: pedagogical and technological integration for open learning resources (olr),” in International Congress on Information and Communication Technology. Springer, 2024, pp. 11–25.
[8] B. P. Putro, “Advancements in educational technology: Cultivating critical thinking proficiency among students through innovative learning models,” 2024.
[9] N. Anwar, J. Anderson, T. Williams et al., “Applying data science to analyze and improve student learning outcomes in educational environments,” International Transactions on Education Technology (ITEE), vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 72–83, 2024.
[10] N. Hafizah and S. Januardi, “The influence of information technology usage on students’ learning out comes in islamic religious education (pai),” Indonesian Journal of Education and Science, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 88–94, 2025.
[11] A. Ahmad, R. Ruslan, and N. Nasaruddin, “Building critical and moral generation: The implementation of hots approach in islamic religious education,” Journal of English Language and Education, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 476–490, 2025.
[12] Y. S. Rahmi and A. Saefudin, “21st century skills-based learning at nahdlatul ulama higher education (case study of islamic education program (pai) at unisnu jepara),” J-PAI: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, vol. 10, no. 2, 2024.
[13] L. Meria, C. S. Bangun, and J. Edwards, “Exploring sustainable strategies for education through the adoption of digital circular economy principles,” International Transactions on Education Technology (ITEE), vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 62–71, 2024.
[14] K. A. Amin, “Project-based learning as a tool to enhance students critical thinking skills in islamic religious education,” JIES: Journal of Integrated Educational Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 29–55, 2025.
[15] M. Siahaan, S. Kosasi, N. Sukendri, and A. Husain, “Enhancing smes business performance through strategic digital transformation,” IAIC Transactions on Sustainable Digital Innovation (ITSDI), vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 85–96, 2025.
[16] K. Mustapa, Y. B. M. Gagaramusu, E. H. Palandi, A. W. Syakhrani, and H. Towpek, “Technology enhanced education: Nurturing the digital generation-experiences in islamic schools in indonesia,” International Journal of Teaching and Learning, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 16–40, 2023.
[17] J. P. Szatkowski, E. Druten, C. Soni, and D. C. O’Neill, “Artificial intelligence in orthopaedic education: a narrative review,” Annals of Joint, vol. 10, p. 34, 2025.
[18] A. Firdaus, A. Amrullah, L. R. Adawiyah, Q. Y. Zakiah, and S. Supiana, “Enhancing learning quality and student engagement: Utilizing digital technology in islamic education,” International Journal of Nusantara Islam, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 206–2018, 2023.
[19] Z. Yang, L. Wang, Y. Wei, K. Wang, and M. Liao, “Research on innovation of experimental teaching mode and reform of evaluation system empowered by new-generation information technology in polytechnic universities,” in Proceedings of the 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Educational Systems, 2025, pp. 189–195.
[20] P. Kumar, A. Gupta, and A. O. Budarina, Innovative Teaching Learning Practices: A Paradigm Shift. GLOBAL ACADEMY YAYINCILIK VE DANIS¸ MANLIK H˙IZMETLER˙I SANAY˙I T˙ICARET L˙IM˙ITED . . . , 2023.
[21] R. Indrawan, E. D. Very, D. Tribuana, and E. A. Nabila, “Aiot driven smart solar system for real time predictive sustainable energy management,” International Transactions on Artificial Intelligence, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 105–114, 2025.
[22] L. He and F. Deng, “Exploration and research on the talent training model of big data technology in the perspective of new quality productivity,” in 2024 14th International Conference on Information Technology in Medicine and Education (ITME). IEEE, 2024, pp. 248–253.
[23] A. Mustakim, M. Sahlan, S. Saihan, A. Zainudin et al., “Utilization of digital applications in improving student understanding of islamic religious education subjects,” Islamic Management: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, vol. 8, no. 01, 2025.
[24] A. Ta’rifin, A. Zubaidah, N. Ana, M. Y. Abidin, U. Albab, and H. H. Safitri, “Design of augmented reality learning media for islamic religious education: Encouraging religious moderation in junior high schools,” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 2948–2960, 2025.
[25] S. Edy, S. Sumarta et al., “Challenges and opportunities of the islamic religious education (pai) curriculum at armaniyah vocational high school (smk) bekasi in facing modern work demands,” Edukasi Islami: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, vol. 14, no. 01, pp. 201–214, 2025.
[26] E. Al Ihwanah, N. Afifah, A. Syarifuddin, and M. Husni, “Design of an islamic religious education curriculum supporting religious moderation in the digital era.”
[27] A. Thehli and S. Mohamed, “The importance of designing a curriculum that fosters 21st-century skills among learners,” , vol. 9, no. 39, pp. 613–644, 2025.
[28] E. Erika, R. T. H. Safariningsih, D. Cahyono, and N. Rangi, “Strategic integration of cloud cybersecurity for resilient digital business transformation,” ADI Journal on Recent Innovation, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 112– 124, 2025.
[29] Q. Aini, D. Manongga, U. Rahardja, I. Sembiring, and Y.-M. Li, “Understanding behavioral intention to use of air quality monitoring solutions with emphasis on technology readiness,” International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, vol. 41, no. 8, pp. 5079–5099, 2025.
[30] A. M. K. Amrullah, I. A. Zuhriyah et al., “The challenges of developing islamic education curriculum and strategies for its development in facing future competency demands,” Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 111–126, 2025.
[31] A. Cujba and M. Pifarr´e, “Enhancing students’ attitudes towards statistics through innovative technology enhanced, collaborative, and data-driven project-based learning,” Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2024.
[32] T. Hermawati, N. F. Tanjung, K. M. Fauzan, and F. Ilyasir, “Innovation in islamic education evaluation through kahoot application based on artificial intelligence,” At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, pp. 183– 191, 2025.
[33] A. Ismaya, U. Rusilowati, T. S. Goh, Y. A. Solihah, E. S. N. Aisyah, E. A. Nabila, and E. Aimee, “Drivers of secure and inclusive defi adoption through distributed ledger technology and smart contracts,” in 2025 4th International Conference on Creative Communication and Innovative Technology (ICCIT). IEEE, 2025, pp. 1–7.
[34] A. Asfiati, “Merdeka curriculum: Encouraging creativity and innovation of islamic religious education teachers in madrasah,” Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 681–698, 2023.
[35] M. T. Ajmain, R. M. Hasan, W. A. A. W. Abdullah et al., “A systematic literature review (slr) on the use of augmented reality (ar) technology in the teaching and learning of islamic education,” Journal of Research, Innovation, and Strategies for Education (RISE), vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 1–14, 2025.
[36] I. G. N. A. K. Dwi, L. Bethany, O. Smith et al., “Empowering tourism communication for sustainable village development,” Startupreneur Business Digital (SABDA Journal), vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 123–130, 2024.
[37] S. S. M. Sawari, A. Muflihin, W. Warsiyah, and M. Y. Madrah, “The perception of islamic religious education and its implications for curriculum development in the era of society 5.0,” Akademika: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 255–266, 2022.
[38] S. Song, “Research on the pathways to enhance university students’ innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities from the perspective of digital empowerment.”
[39] P. A. Sunarya, U. Rahardja, S. C. Chen, Y.-M. Lic, and M. Hardini, “Deciphering digital social dynamics: A comparative study of logistic regression and random forest in predicting e-commerce customer behavior,” Journal of Applied Data Sciences, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 100–113, 2024.
[40] A. El-Sayed and S. Martinez, “The influence of global competency frameworks on 21st-century skill development in secondary education,” Innovative Journal of Educational Research and Insights, pp. 12– 20, 2025.
[41] A. Al Yahyaei, “Reserving the human touch in nursing education while integrating virtual reality and simulation,” Journal of Professional Nursing, vol. 54, pp. 36–38, 2024.
[42] N. Lachlan and O. Smith, “Determining factors for startup success in indonesia: Perspective of young entrepreneurs,” Startupreneur Business Digital (SABDA Journal), vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 115–122, 2024.
[43] M. Pavithra and G. Ramya, “Using gamification to overcome innovation process challenges: A literature review and future agenda,” Digital Twins for Sustainable Healthcare in the Metaverse, pp. 287–306, 2025.
[44] Y. Zheng, C. Li, and L. Cao, “The impact of virtual reality-assisted learning on students’ critical thinking: A meta-analysis of 37 experimental and quasi-experimental studies,” Thinking Skills and Creativity, p. 102192, 2026.
[45] M. Murharyana, I. I. Al Ayyubi, R. Rohmatulloh, and S. N. Ikromi, “The effects of islamic religious education learning on students’ motivation,” At-Tadzkir: Islamic Education Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2024.
Authors
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohamad Erihadiana, Aldy Rialdy Atmadja, Oban Sobandi, Muhammad Insan Al-Amin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This journal permits and encourages authors to post items submitted to the journal on personal websites while providing bibliographic details that credit its publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted to post their work online in institutional/disciplinary repositories or on their own websites. Pre-print versions posted online should include a citation and link to the final published version in Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication as soon as the issue is available; post-print versions (including the final publisher's PDF) should include a citation and link to the journal's website.