Leveraging the DIFFIT App for Culturally Integrated Language Teaching in Elementary Education
Abstract
This study examines the use of the Diffit app to improve language training and preserve local cultural values, notably wayang (traditional Javanese puppetry), at State Elementary School Jombor 1 in Bendosari, Sukoharjo, Central Java. The data were collected using a descriptive qualitative method with an embedded case study design through classroom observations, interviews with teachers and students, and supplementary documentation. The study showed that tailored training greatly enhanced teachers' proficiency in using Diffit, with measurable increases in comprehension and digital teaching skills. Prior to training, most teachers displayed basic comprehension; after training, many attained high mastery levels, with some improving by 100%. This shows the importance of structured digital training in improving teachers' technological and pedagogical competencies. In addition to improving language training, Diffit was useful in introducing and strengthening local cultural elements. Teachers found increased creativity and student engagement when using the app to access wayang-related books, while students showed better interest in and understanding of traditional culture through digital media. These results show how culturally relevant digital tools can connect traditional content and new learning environments. The findings are consistent with previous studies on the benefits of digital tools in education, particularly in circumstances needing both instructional efficacy and cultural preservation. This study emphasises Diffit's dual function as a language teaching aid and a medium for sustaining local tradition, indicating its broader usefulness in culturally sensitive, tech-enhanced elementary education.



References
Anatasia, R., Moh, R. S., Mela, D. A., & Selimanorita, S. (2024). Pentas Kreasi Wayang Barang Bekas untuk Menanamkan Pendidikan Karakter di Sekolah Dasar. JSRW (Jurnal Senirupa Warna), 12(1), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.36806/jsrw.v12i1.206 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36806/jsrw.v12i1.206
Anzar, M., & Mardatillah, M. (2017). Pengajaran bahasa di sekolah dasar: Konsep dan implementasi. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Indonesia, 5(2), 50–60.
Cahyani, N. L. P., & Jayanta, I. N. L. (2021). Digital Literacy-Based Learning Video on the Topic of Natural Resources and Technology for Grade IV Elementary School. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 5(3), 538. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v5i3.37918 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v5i3.37918
Chanigia, A., & Anggalana, A. (2023). Implementasi Peraturan Menteri Pendidikan Budaya Riset dan Teknologi Nomor 30 Tahun 2021 Tentang Pencegahan dan Penanganan Kekerasan Seksual. JLEB: Journal of Law, Education and …. DOI: https://doi.org/10.57235/jleb.v1i2.1083
Dumaini, N. K. D., & Ardhiani, G. A. N. (2023). Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Role Playing Berbantuan Media Wayang Kertas terhadap Keterampilan Berbicara Bahasa Indonesia. In Lampuhyang (Vol. 14, Issue 2, pp. 160–176). Lampuhyang, STKIP Agama Hindu Amlapura. https://doi.org/10.47730/jurnallampuhyang.v14i2.356 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47730/jurnallampuhyang.v14i2.356
Fahreza, M. M. Y., Robbani, A., & Fahri, A. (2024). Menyatukan Tradisi dan Teknologi: Pelestarian Budaya Lampung dalam Kerangka Pendidikan Berkelanjutan di Era SDGs. Innovative: Journal Of Social ….
Fennell, D. A. (2021). Routledge Handbook of Ecotourism. Routledge Abingdon, UK. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003001768
Firdaos, R. (2015). Orientasi Pedagogik Dan Perubahan Sosial Budaya Terhadap Kemajuan Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Teknologi. Al-Tadzkiyyah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam.
Fitriya, L., & Nuroh, E. Z. (2024). Effectiveness of Digital Flipbook Media on Writing Skills in Primary Schools. Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo. https://doi.org/10.21070/ups.6450 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21070/ups.6450
Hapsari, S. A., Pratiwi, M. R., & Indrayani, H. (2020). Konten Edukasi Pengasuhan Anak melalui Media Online Komunitas Parenting Keluargakita.Com. International Conference Communication and Sosial Sciences (ICCOMSOS), 1(1), 12.
Hilwa, N., Nurasiah, I., & Lyesmaya, D. (2021). Pengaruh Media Wayang Sukuraga terhadap Keterampilan Menulis Deskripsi pada Siswa Kelas Tinggi Sekolah Dasar. In Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar (Vol. 10, Issue 6, p. 1482). Program Studi PGSD FKIP Universitas Riau. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v10i6.8428 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v10i6.8428
Koehler, M., & Mishra, P. (2009). What is technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK)? Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 9(1), 60–70.
Krisetiawan, K., Buchori, A., & Handayani, A. (2023). Pengembangan Mathematics Olympiad Digital Book (MODiB) Berdasarkan Strategi Pemecahan Masalah Polya untuk Meningkatkan Kreativitas dan Hasil Belajar Matematika Siswa Sekolah Dasar. In Media Penelitian Pendidikan : Jurnal Penelitian dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Pengajaran (Vol. 17, Issue 2, pp. 256–265). Universitas PGRI Semarang. https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v17i2.15180 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v17i2.15180
Kurniawan, A., Nugrahani, F., & Widayati, M. (2024). Pembelajaran Bahasa dan Sastra di Era Digital Berorientasi Multikultural. Prosiding Pertemuan Ilmiah Bahasa & Sastra Indonesia (PIBSI XLVI) Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, 20(Pibsi Xlvi), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.30595/pssh.v20i.1374 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30595/pssh.v20i.1374
Kustianawati, S. (2020). Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berkomunikasi Melalui Metode Bercerita dengan Alat Peraga Wayang pada Anak Kelompok B TK Dwijorini Tretep. In Media Penelitian Pendidikan : Jurnal Penelitian dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Pengajaran (Vol. 14, Issue 1, pp. 35–44). Universitas PGRI Semarang. https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v14i1.5531 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v14i1.5531
Maimunah, M., Septiani, M., & ... (2020). Pengembangan blended learning pada mata kuliah Pendidikan Lingkungan Sosial Budaya dan Teknologi. … : Jurnal Pendidikan …. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32832/tadibuna.v9i2.3440
Malla, H. A. B., Hamka, Haryani, A., Abu, A., & Nur, A. (2023). Teachers’ Digital Literacy Ability to Improve Islamic Religion Education Learning in Islamic Boarding School. In International Journal of Educational Reform. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/10567879231211287 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10567879231211287
Michael, A. (2023). Teacher Training Programs for Effective Use of Digital Tools in English Language Teaching: A Case Study of Secondary Schools in Sindh.
Moorhouse, B. L., & Yan, L. (2023). Use of digital tools by English language schoolteachers. Education Sciences, 13(3), 226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13030226
Mukhid, M. P. (2023). Disain Teknologi Dan Inovasi Pembelajaran Dalam Budaya Organisasi Di Lembaga Pendidikan. repository.iainmadura.ac.id.
Nirwana, E. S. (2021). Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Game Android untuk Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(3), 1811–1818. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i3.1684 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i3.1684
Nugrahani, F. (2014). Metode Penelitian Kualitatif dalam Penelitian Pendidikan Bahasa (1st ed.). CakraBooks.
Nugroho, I. A., Megawati, I., & Amalia, S. (2022). Peran teknologi pendidikan dalam membentuk budaya sekolah di era merdeka belajar. In Seminar Nasional PGSD. jurnal.ustjogja.ac.id.
Nur, N., Rohmah, S., Narimo, S., & Widyasari, C. (2023). Strategi Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila Dimensi Berkebhinekaan Global Di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Elementaria Edukasia, 6(3), 1254–1269. https://doi.org/10.31949/jee.v6i3.6124 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31949/jee.v6i3.6124
Pratiwi, V. U., Nugrahani, F., Widayati, M., & Sudiyana, B. (2024). Meningkatkan Literasi Digital dengan Menggunakan Karakter Wayang untuk Siswa Sekolah Dasar di Kabupaten Sukoharjo. Prosiding Pertemuan Ilmiah Bahasa & Sastra Indonesia (PIBSI XLVI) Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, 20(Pibsi Xlvi), 141–147. https://doi.org/10.30595/pssh.v20i.1315 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30595/pssh.v20i.1315
Putri, K. P. C., Suarjana, I. M., & Bayu, G. W. (2023). Balinese Culture-Based Digital Comic Learning Media for Strengthening Pancasila Student Profiles for Elementary School Students. MIMBAR PGSD Undiksha, 11(2), 305–314. https://doi.org/10.23887/jjpgsd.v11i2.61431 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23887/jjpgsd.v11i2.61431
Rusli, R. (2022). Studi Pemikiran Islam dalam Islam Melayu Nusantara (Kajian Sosial, Intelektualisme dan Kontekstual Budaya). Intizar, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.19109/intizar.v23i2.2193 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19109/intizar.v23i2.2193
Saefurrohman, N. (2023). Implementasi Merdeka Belajar Dalam Pendidikan Seni Budaya Di Era Teknologi 4.0. BULLET: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu.
Setiowati, N., Wijayanti, O., & Harmianto, S. (2019). Peningkatan Prestasi Belajar Siswa Materi Cerita Wayang melalui Strategi Active Knowledge Sharing Menggunakan Media Wayang Kelas IV Sekolah Dasar. In Media Penelitian Pendidikan : Jurnal Penelitian dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Pengajaran (Vol. 13, Issue 2, p. 173). Universitas PGRI Semarang. https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v13i2.5100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v13i2.5100
Sim, J. S. E., & Ismail, H. H. (2023). Using digital tools in teaching and learning English: Delving into English language teachers’ perspectives. Creative Education, 14(10), 2021–2036. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2023.1410129
Soedjono, S. (2022). Transformasi Digital Manajemen Pendidikan. In Media Penelitian Pendidikan : Jurnal Penelitian dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Pengajaran (Vol. 16, Issue 1, pp. 103–107). Universitas PGRI Semarang. https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v16i1.12148 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26877/mpp.v16i1.12148
Sukmanasa, Windiyani, & Novita. (2017). Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Komik Digital Pada Mata Pelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial Bagi Siswa Kelas V Sekolah Dasar Di Kota Bogor. Jurnal Pendidikan Sekolah Dasar, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.30870/jpsd.v3i2.2138 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30870/jpsd.v3i2.2138
Tomlinson, B., & Ripai, R. (2012). t in language teaching and learning.
Wae, D. F. A. (2020). Kesenian Wayang Kulit sebagai Pembentuk Karakter Bangsa dalam Merdeka Belajar Menghadapi Revolusi Industri 4.0 dan Revolusi Society 5.0. Seminar Nasional Seni Dan Desain 2020, 67–72.
Wijaya, R., Rozak, A., Nur, S., Qothrunnada, N., & Azzahra, N. (2022). Analisis Program Gerakan Literasi Melalui Dongeng Keagamaan Berbasis Boneka Wayang di Sekolah Dasar. SOSIO RELIGI: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Umum, 20(1), 39–49.
Yulin, N., & Danso, S. D. (2025). Assessing Pedagogical Readiness for Digital Innovation: A Mixed-Methods Study. ArXiv Preprint ArXiv:2502.15781.
Yuniarti, N. F., & Sirozi, M. (2024). Perencanaan Berbasis Kearifan Lokal untuk Peningkatan Kompetensi Guru Pendidikan Agama Islam. In Ainara Journal (Jurnal Penelitian dan PKM Bidang Ilmu Pendidikan) (Vol. 5, Issue 3, pp. 336–341). Ainara. https://doi.org/10.54371/ainj.v5i3.568 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54371/ainj.v5i3.568
Zulaikha, F. I., & Purwaningsih, S. (2021). Perempuan dalam wayang sunda: analisis wacana kritis. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 10(1), 35–49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23887/jish-undiksha.v10i1.25159
Copyright (c) 2025 Veronika Unun, Farida Nugrahani, Mukti Widayati, Imas Juidah, Heny Kusuma Widyaningrum, Suhailee Sule (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


