Project-based learning for Indonesian vocational teachers in the new normal / Mangasa Aritonang

This descriptive study elaborates and discusses an online training course for Indonesian vocational teacher professional development in the new norm, in which face-to-face learning interaction is strictly limited. One hundred teachers from sixty-eight vocational schools in fifty-one cities in Indonesia participated in the online teacher training. They discussed various issues, including project-based learning design, both synchronously and asynchronously for two weeks. After the two-week learning interaction, teacher participants designed and implemented a project for their students which integrated the practises of relevant vocational skills, the 4Cs (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication) of the 21st century skills, character building, and values and concepts of education for sustainable development. Teacher participants were given two months for the project design and implementation. Data triangulation was made from online surveys, school visits for monitoring, evaluation and semi-structured interviews to twenty participants, and final written reports from the participants. The project has brought about positive impacts both for students who performed the project and teachers as training participants who designed the project. Students’ competency which includes vocational skills, the 4Cs, character building, and awareness in ESD values were enhanced. Teachers benefited from the online learning experience which inspired them to design a blended learning course in the new norm, designing a project-based learning which integrated various skills, and integrating the values of ESD into a project.