The Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan (UMLA) successfully held an Online National Seminar with the theme “Strengthening Digital Literacy through Coding Learning in Elementary Schools” on Thursday, July 24, 2025. This activity was carried out virtually through the Zoom platform and was attended by hundreds of PGSD students, lecturers, and teachers from various elementary schools in the Lamongan area.  This seminar presented an inspirational speaker, Mrs. Mala Rosa Aprillya, S.Kom., M.Kom., a lecturer at Trunojoyo Madura University (UTM), who is active in the field of educational technology and digital-based curriculum development. In her presentation, she highlighted the importance of strengthening digital literacy through creative and relevant learning approaches, such as the introduction of coding since elementary school. "Coding learning can be a means to foster students' logical thinking, creative, and problem solving skills from an early age. Teachers must be able to adapt and utilize technology as part of the learning strategy," said Mrs. Mala. This activity is a useful forum for students and teachers to broaden their horizons and share good practices in digital-based teaching. The Head of the PGSD UMLA Study Program said that this seminar was a concrete step in preparing prospective teachers and educators to be better prepared to face educational challenges in the digital era. The enthusiasm of the participants was evident throughout the session, especially during the discussion and Q&A. The event ended with the handover of e-certificates to speakers and participants as a form of appreciation for their active participation. By organizing this seminar, it is hoped that PGSD UMLA will continue to be a pioneer in strengthening digital literacy in the world of basic education, as well as establishing broader synergies with teachers in the regions to jointly produce a digital-smart generation.

Lamongan – The atmosphere at the Budi Utomo Auditorium on the 3rd Floor of the Muhammadiyah University of Lamongan (Umla) felt different on Tuesday (10/6/25) morning. Students of the Elementary School Teacher Education Study Program (PGSD) of the Faculty of Science, Technology, and Education (FSTP) sat listening intently. Today, they did not just learn theory, but were invited to dive into the world of inclusive education—a world that demands empathy and competence in assisting children with special needs (ABK). The Practitioner Lecture themed “Early Identification and Holistic Approach in Handling Children with Special Needs” presented Dwi Fitria Aini, S.Psi., Founder of Logika Kids. In her presentation, Dwi opened students’ insights about the importance of a holistic approach in inclusive education. She explained various types of developmental disorders and learning disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, slow learners, speech delays, and late talkers. “Inclusive education is not just about uniting children in one classroom,” he said. “More than that, it is an effort to build a fair and friendly system for all children without discrimination.” Dwi emphasized the importance of early identification of developmental disorders, as well as the importance of collaboration between teachers, psychologists, and parents. He closed his session with a moving message, “In the world of education, inclusion is not just a concept, but a commitment to ensure that every child, regardless of physical, intellectual, or social background, has the same right to learn and develop optimally.” Inclusive Spirit in the World of Education Head of the Umla Elementary School Teacher Education Study Program, A.F. Suryaning Ati MZ, M.Pd., in his speech emphasized the urgency of an inclusive spirit in the world of education. “No child of the nation should be left behind, marginalized, or neglected simply because of differences in physical, social, economic, cultural, or intellectual conditions,” he said. He added that this practical lecture is a strategic moment to bring together students—future educators—with real practices in the field. "We want students to not only become teachers, but also educators who humanize, accompany, and empower all children, without barriers and without discrimination." This activity was guided by Avicarizta Zunia A., a PGSD Umla student, and attended by 4th and 6th semester students. In addition to getting e-certificates, participants gained highly relevant practical knowledge and the opportunity to build professional networks. Through this practical lecture, Umla demonstrated its commitment to producing educators who are not only academically superior, but also have social sensitivity and concern for the diversity of students. It is hoped that activities like this will continue and be an inspiration for other educational institutions in realizing inclusive, fair, and civilized education. Author: Rohmat

Lamongan – Another proud achievement was made by lecturers of the Elementary School Teacher Education Study Program (PGSD) of the Muhammadiyah University of Lamongan (Umla). The research team led by Humairah MPd together with Oriza Zativalen MPd, Rizka Novi Irmaningrum MPd, and Dr. Syaiputra Wahyuda Musa Diningrat MPd from the State University of Surabaya (Unesa) successfully passed the selection for the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service (DRTPM) grant of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, Technology and Technology in 2025, for the Regular Fundamental Research scheme. This team carries a very relevant and innovative topic entitled "Ethno-Treffinger Model based on Realistic Mathematic Education (RME) to Improve Numeracy, Critical Thinking, and Creative Skills in Elementary Schools". This research was designed as an effort to answer the challenges of learning mathematics which has so far been considered abstract and difficult by students at the elementary school level. According to the team leader, Humairah MPd, the Etno-Treffinger model is a combination of the Treffinger approach that emphasizes the development of creative thinking skills with an ethnomathematics approach that utilizes local wisdom as a learning context. This model is then packaged in the RME framework, a mathematics education approach that is oriented towards students' real experiences. "Through this model, students not only learn to count, but also understand the values ​​and culture around them. For example, they learn the concept of fractions or geometry through batik traditions, traditional games, or local economic activities that they know," said Humairah. This research is planned to be carried out in several partner elementary schools in the Lamongan area and its surroundings, involving teachers and upper-class students as research subjects. Through the stages of model development, limited trials, and refinement, this research is expected to produce learning products that are applicable and in accordance with the local context. This achievement is also real evidence that Umla continues to encourage its lecturers to be active in national competitive research. This success, while hoping that the results of this study can be one of the references for developing a curriculum or culture-based learning module in elementary schools. The participation of Dr. Syaiputra Wahyuda Musa Diningrat from Unesa as a collaborator also strengthens the synergy between universities in the development of science and basic education. With cross-institutional cooperation, it is hoped that this model will not only have a local impact but can also be developed more widely to the national level. In closing, this achievement is not only an individual achievement, but also part of Umla's contribution in building contextual, humanistic, and Indonesian cultural value-based education. Hopefully the results of this study will provide great benefits for the world of education and the next generation of the nation. Author: Helmy Choiriyanto