Environment-Based Learning Media Innovation Training for Elementary School Teachers to Support Education for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Conventional lecture-based instruction in elementary schools often reduces student engagement, highlighting the need for teachers to creatively utilize local environmental resources to deliver contextual learning that aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 and SDG 12). This community service initiative aimed to enhance elementary school teachers' professional capacity and creativity in designing and developing environment-based learning media. The program was implemented at SD Negeri Mulur 01, Bendosari District, involving 10 elementary teachers through a participatory Science, Technology, and Society (IbM) training framework, which comprised material inventorying, creative ideation, media development, final assembly, and collaborative evaluation. The evaluation revealed that the produced environmental learning media achieved a "very good" rating across all key aspects, including material ease (average score 82.5), curriculum relevance (85), user-friendliness (95), and simplicity (87.5). Teacher engagement during practical workshops and presentations reached average scores of 86.25 and 85, respectively, accompanied by highly positive responses. In conclusion, environment-based media training effectively improves primary school teachers' pedagogical competencies and creativity in converting local resources into contextual learning tools, thereby contributing to quality and sustainable education.