Developing a Local Wisdom-Based Learning Module for Elementary Education in a Small-Island Context

In the face of rapid globalization and technological advancement, education must not only transfer knowledge but also strengthen students’ cultural identity and contextual understanding of their environment. Integrating local wisdom into learning is considered a promising approach to creating meaningful and culturally relevant educational experiences. This study aims to explore the local wisdom of the Kampuno Island community and develop a local wisdom–based learning module for elementary education. An exploratory qualitative approach, combined with diagnostic assessment and expert validation, was employed. Field observations and in-depth interviews were conducted with community leaders, fishermen, boatbuilders, seaweed farmers, and teachers to identify local cultural practices. In addition, a preliminary diagnostic assessment was carried out to examine students’ initial conceptual understanding of scientific concepts embedded in these practices. The results showed that students’ conceptual understanding was still relatively low, with an average score of 53.96, indicating the need for contextualized learning interventions. Based on these findings, a learning module integrating local practices such as boatbuilding, seaweed cultivation, fish drying, fishing traditions, and the Tudang Sipulung deliberation system was developed. Expert validation results indicated high feasibility, with validity scores of 93.75% for content, 92.50% for pedagogy, and 90% for technology. The implementation of the module received positive responses from teachers and students, demonstrating its potential to enhance engagement and connect scientific concepts with students’ cultural experiences.