Teaching Physics Within New Indonesia Curriculum "Kurikulum Merdeka": Reflection for Teacher Education Institution

Abstract

The New Indonesia Curriculum “Kurikulum Merdeka” (KM) is an explicit document articulating Indonesian pedagogical practices in K-12 to overcome learning loss during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The document is an excellent work that describes pedagogy (learning outcome, learning process, and assessment) for building road maps supporting learning coherence. Principles of learning in KM consider student initial interest, long life learning, holistic, contextual, and sustainability orientation. In specific for Physics, student understanding of Physics in high school are explained in two elements which are understanding physics through science process skills in Phase E and F. Although based on national policy, the curriculum is widely used, challenges in physics learning always need various supports. Also, those highlights in KM drive several changes for teacher education institutions. The TPACK preparation for pre-service physics teachers urges us to consider the transition into courses and research that will prepare our pre-service physics teacher to teach within KM.