Merdeka Teaching Platform: Integration of Technology in Teacher Professional Education and Skills Development

Abstract

A special problem faced in the context of Teacher Professional Education is the limitation in integrating technology into the existing curriculum. Many teachers still experience difficulties in utilizing technology optimally in the learning process, especially in areas with inadequate technological infrastructure. The platform aims to improve the quality of education and teachers' professional abilities; However, the platform also faces challenges in integrating technology into existing curricula. This study aims to explore the use of the Merdeka Teaching platform in improving teacher skills at IAIN Sultan Amai Gorontalo and identify strategies to overcome obstacles in technology integration. This research method uses a qualitative approach and case study design, this research involves lecturers and PPG students of the class of 2024. The data was collected through document analysis on the Learning Management System (LMS) platform and used the Likert scale to measure user perception. The results showed that the majority of students were in the "Good" and "Very Good" categories in the use of the platform. Criteria such as "Formulation of information technology utilization" and "Document completeness" achieved the highest score (4.00 with 100%), while "Learning model" showed the lowest score (3.56 with 89.0%). These findings indicate the need to improve aspects of learning and provide further training for teachers. The research concluded that the Bajwa Merdeka Teaching Platform has significant potential to improve the quality of education through teacher professional development. However, challenges in the adoption of the technology and a lack of in-depth training must be overcome to maximize its benefits. Recommendations include strengthening technical support and developing more effective integration strategies, so that teachers and students can be prepared for the challenges of the ever-evolving digital era.