On Saturday, October 22, 2022, a community service team from Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) visited SD Negeri Lamteungoh to conduct a training program titled “Enhancing Teacher Capacity in Developing and Utilizing Information Technology-Based Learning Media as an Effort to Improve Education Quality.”
The team was led by Prof. Dr. Marwan, S.Si., M.Si, Vice Rector II of USK and lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, FMIPA USK. The training introduced the use of the Zepeto application (Android-based) and Microsoft PowerPoint to design educational videos as interactive learning media. Through these tools, classroom activities can become more engaging and help students better understand the learning material. This community service activity is part of USK’s Product-Based Community Service Program, which embodies the Tri Dharma of Higher Education (Education, Research, and Community Service).
The training was attended by 20 teachers from SDN Lamteungoh, SDN Pertiwi Lamgarot, SDN Dham Ceukok, and SDN Dham Lubuk, all located in Ingin Jaya Subdistrict, Aceh Besar. Notably, Gampong Lamteungoh has been one of USK’s foster villages under the “USK Foster Village Program” launched in 2020, which ran for two years.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Nurmawati, S.Pd., Principal of SDN Lamteungoh, and Prof. Dr. Marwan, S.Si., M.Si., Head of the Community Service Team. The program also involved Mukramati, S.Mat., a graduate student in the Mathematics Master’s Program at FMIPA USK and an alumna of the Mathematics undergraduate program, who assisted teachers in applying digital tools to develop learning media. Other team members included Dr. Firdus, S.Pd., M.Si. (Department of Biology, FMIPA USK), Dr. Muhammad Ikhwan, M.Si. and Vera Halfiani, S.Si., M.Mat. (Department of Mathematics, FMIPA USK), as well as Saifan, S.Pd. (Administrative Staff of USK Central Office), who helped organize and facilitate the workshop.
The participating teachers showed great enthusiasm throughout the training, as they could directly explore and practice the features of the introduced applications. The mentoring sessions were tailored to meet the teachers’ real classroom needs, especially in implementing the Merdeka Belajar (Independent Learning) policy at the elementary level. One teacher commented, “We are very pleased that every participant received attention and hands-on guidance during this training.” The Principal of SDN Lamteungoh added, “We hope that similar programs will continue in the future.”
In his remarks, Prof. Marwan emphasized the importance of information technology in enhancing students’ understanding, particularly in mathematics learning. He explained that mathematical objects are inherently abstract—for example, a cube or rectangular prism represents a tangible form of abstract concepts. Therefore, visualization through digital media can significantly improve students’ ability to imagine and understand mathematical concepts.
Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the next generation. At the elementary school level, they help build students’ thinking patterns, reasoning ability, and character. This training activity at SDN Lamteungoh is expected to strengthen teachers’ capacity in the digital era, equipping them to deliver more effective and engaging learning experiences.