DEEP LEARNING IN ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: ENHANCING STUDENTS’ HIGHER-ORDER THINKING SKILLS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53806/ijcss.v7i3.1504Keywords:
Deep Learning, Higher Order Thinking Skills, Islamic Religious Education, Learning Strategies, Merdeka Curriculum.Abstract
This study aims to examine the strategies of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers in implementing a deep learning approach to develop students’ Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) at SMP Muhammadiyah 5 Surakarta. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. The findings show that PAI teachers implemented several deep learning strategies, including discussion-based learning, problem-based learning, reflective questioning, and project-based assignments. These strategies encouraged active student participation and contextual learning experiences that helped students develop critical, analytical, and reflective thinking skills. The implementation of deep learning also contributed to improved learning outcomes and students’ ability to relate Islamic values to everyday life. The study concludes that the deep learning approach supports the development of HOTS in Islamic Religious Education through meaningful and student-centered learning practices.
References
[1] Rahman, S. Ma’arif, and E. Nurhayati, “Islamic Religious Education as an Effort to Build Students’ Character,” Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 145–156, 2021.
[2] Sulaiman and M. Fauzi, “The Nature and Objectives of Islamic Religious Education in the National Education System,” Tarbawi: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2022.
[3] D. K. Khotimah and M. R. Abdan, “Deep Learning Approach in Improving the Quality of Islamic Religious Education Learning,” Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Islam (JPPI), vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 866–879, 2025.
[4] S. R. Aliyah, N. Norlianti, and M. Mukmin, “Deep Learning-Based Islamic Religious Education Learning Model,” Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 2341–2354, 2025.
[5] L. W. Anderson and D. R. Krathwohl, A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. New York, NY, USA: Longman, 2021.
[6] Widodo and Kadarwati, “Higher Order Thinking Skills Development in Modern Education,” 2022.
[7] M. Hasanuddin, K. Khotimah, and S. Abdan, “Strengthening Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in Islamic Religious Education Learning,” Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 55–68, 2025.
[8] Wahyudi and M. Nurhadi, “The Role of Teachers in Developing Higher-Order Thinking Learning in Islamic Religious Education,” Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 120–134, 2023.
[9] Sugiyono, Qualitative, Quantitative, and R&D Research Methods. Bandung, Indonesia: Alfabeta, 2019.
[10] L. J. Moleong, Qualitative Research Methodology, Revised Edition. Bandung, Indonesia: Remaja Rosdakarya, 2021.
[11] M. B. Miles, A. M. Huberman, and J. Saldaña, Qualitative Data Analysis, 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications, 2019.
[12] L. Aribah, “Deep Learning Approach in the Merdeka Curriculum to Shape Students’ Character Through Islamic Religious Education,” Kalijaga Journal of Islamic Religious Education, 2025.
[13] M. Mukmin, “From Memorization to Meaning Making: Deep Learning as a Pathway to Higher Order Thinking in Islamic Religious Education,” Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 2026.
[14] R. Nuraini, “Implementation of the Problem Based Learning Strategy in Islamic Religious Education Learning in Improving Students’ Higher Order Thinking Skills,” Global Education Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 45–52, 2025.
[15] M. A. Rahmanto, Bunyamin, and S. Wahjusaputri, “Enhancing Higher Order Thinking Skills through Active Learning in Islamic Religious Education at a Vocational High School in Indonesia,” Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 8118–8128, 2025.
[16] H. L. Siregar, “Development of a Problem-Based Learning Model in Islamic Religious Education to Enhance Students’ Critical Thinking Skills,” Jurnal Iqra’: Kajian Ilmu Pendidikan, 2025.
[17] L. Yu, “The Critical Thinking-Oriented Adaptations of Problem-Based Learning: A Systematic Review,” Frontiers in Education, vol. 8, 2023.
[18] Meliyawati and F. R. Dinata, “The Role of Classroom Teachers in Integrating Deep Learning into the Merdeka Curriculum Based on Islamic Values in Elementary Schools,” Bulletin of Indonesian Islamic Studies, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 872–887, 2025.
[19] S. Al-Zahra, “An Analysis of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in the Implementation of Deep Learning Based Instruction through Joyful, Mindful, and Meaningful Learning,” TOFEDU: The Future of Education Journal, 2026.
[20] T. Cahyono, R. Prihatin, T. S. Qodr, and M. K. Budiarto, “Enhancing Digital Literacy and 4Cs Skills through Project-Based Deep Learning in Kurikulum Merdeka,” Edunesia: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 1215–1231, 2026.
[21] P. Ferinda, Mustamiroh, T. Hidayat, and Iksam, “The Effect of Problem-Based Learning through a Deep Learning Approach on Cognitive Learning Outcomes in Science and Social Studies at Elementary School,” Edunesia: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 982–996, 2026.
[22] M. A. Umah, “Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)-Based Learning in Islamic Religious Education,” World Journal of Islamic Learning and Teaching, 2025.
[23] H. A. Fahmi, A. Siahaan, and I. Suryani, “The Effect of the Problem-Based Learning Model on Critical Thinking Skills and Student Learning Outcomes,” Urwatul Wutsqo: Jurnal Studi Kependidikan dan Keislaman, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 893–904, 2026.
[24] H. M. Wantu, M. Arif, B. Tola, M. Damopolii, and S. Y. Kaawoan, “The Effectiveness of Character Education Based Blended Learning Model to Improve Children Critical Thinking Skills in Islamic Religious Education,” Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, vol. 9, no. 1, 2025.
[25] H. Tambunan, “The Effectiveness of Problem Based Learning in Improving Students’ Understanding of Islamic Creed and Ethics,” Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 2026.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Bintang Wibowo, Mohamad Ali

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