Reflective Digital Pedagogy in Islamic Religious Education and Religious Character Formation in Higher Education

This study examined the influence of reflective digital pedagogy on students’ religious character formation in Islamic Religious Education (IRE) in Indonesian higher education. The study addressed the pedagogical gap between lecture-based instruction and reflective, constructivist, and technology-supported learning aligned with Islamic moral values. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 140 undergraduate students in Indonesian Language and Literature Education and English Language Education programs at Singaperbangsa University Karawang using structured questionnaires. The quantitative phase was followed by interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis to explore students’ and lecturers’ experiences in digitally mediated IRE classrooms. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results showed a significant positive relationship between innovative learning and religious character (r = 0.61, p < .01), with innovative learning explaining 28% of the variance in religious character (R² = 0.28). Students reporting higher levels of innovative learning demonstrated stronger moral reflection, self-regulation, and internalization of Islamic values. Qualitative findings indicated that project-based, flipped, and blended learning fostered deeper engagement, empathy, and responsibility, with lecturers acting as moral facilitators in digital learning environments. Key challenges included limited technological infrastructure and uneven digital competence among lecturers. The findings suggest that reflective digital pedagogy enhances both moral and intellectual development in IRE, supporting the integration of faith and technology. Practically, the findings recommend strengthening reflective digital pedagogy, lecturer training, and infrastructure support within Indonesian higher education systems.