Main Article Content
Abstract
This study explores English teachers’ perceptions of the implementation of the Ruang Guru dan Tenaga Kependidikan (Ruang GTK) at SMAN 2 Palopo and SMKN 1 Palopo. As a transformation of PMM, Ruang GTK aims to facilitate teacher professional development, support performance management, and promote innovative teaching aligned with the Merdeka Curriculum. Employing a qualitative descriptive method, the data were collected through interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis involving twelve English teachers. The results indicate that most participants expressed favorable views toward the platform, particularly valuing its ease of access, the practicality of self-directed learning modules such as Pelatihan Mandiri, Diklat, Komunitas, Inspirasi Pembelajaran dan Dokumen Rujukan. These features improved teaching and learning quality. Nevertheless, several underutilized features of the Ruang GTK platform such as Perangkat Ajar, Refleksi Kompetensi, and Sertifikasi Pendidik present key challenges related to relevance, accessibility, and functionality. Teachers noted that the content lacks contextualization for vocational education, some features remain inaccessible, and others offer limited value for non-PPG users. The findings underscore the need for further refinement of the platform to ensure its effectiveness across diverse teaching contexts. This study offers insights into technology-based professional development and highlights the relevance of constructivist learning theory in teaching practice.
Keywords
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
In submitting the manuscript to the FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching, the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- The publication has been approved by the author(s) and by responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.
License and Copyright Agreement
Authors who publish with FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors can enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or edit it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) before and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
References
- Anggraini, G., & Winarti, W. (2023). Problematika Penggunaan Platform Merdeka Mengajar (PMM) Pada Daerah Tanpa Jaringan Listrik (Studi di SMPN Satu Atap 2 Mentaya Hulu). Bitnet: Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi Informasi, 8(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.33084/bitnet.v8i2.5534
- Aritonang, & Aziz, S. (2023). Utilization of Assessment Features in Platform Merdeka Mengajar (PMM) in the Assessment of Indonesian Language Learning. Jurnal Pendidikan, 134–141.
- Arnes, A. (2023). Edukatif : Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Analisis Pemanfaatan Platform Merdeka Mengajar Oleh Guru PPKn untuk Akselerasi Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka. 5(1), 60–70.
- Bruner Jerome. (1960). The Process of Education. London: Harvard University Press.
- Daniels, H. (2016). Vygotsky and Pedagogy. Vygotsky and Pedagogy, 1–198. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315617602
- Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly: Management Information Systems, 13(3), 319–339. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
- Dewa, Suarni, A. (2022). Analisis Kurikulum Merdeka Mengajar dan Platform Merdeka Belajar untuk Mewujudkan Pendidikan yang Berkualitas. 8, 238–244.
- Kementerian Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah. (2025). Apa Itu Ruang GTK?
- Lisvian Sari, A. S., Cicik Pramesti, Suryanti, & Riki Suliana R.S. (2022). Sosialisasi Platform Merdeka Mengajar Sebagai Wadah Belajar Dan Berkreasi Guru. Jurnal Penamas Adi Buana, 6(01), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.36456/penamas.vol6.no01.a6105
- Marisana, D., Iskandar, S., & Kurniawan, D. T. (2023). Penggunaan Platform Merdeka Mengajar untuk Meningkatkan Kompetensi Guru di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Basicedu, 7(1), 139–150. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v7i1.4363
- Melasarianti, L., Marahayu, N. M., Yulianti, U. H., & Sholikhati, N. I. (2024). Aliterasi : Jurnal Pendidikan , Bahasa dan Sastra Analisis Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar Tingkat SMA dan SMK Negeri di Kabupaten Banyumas. 5(01).
- Miles and Huberman. (1994). An analytic approach for discovery. SAGE Publications, Vol. 1304, pp. 89–92.
- Piaget, J. (1952). The Origins of Intelligence in Children. In International Universities Press. New York, USA: International Universities Press. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0051916
- Sartikasari, D. (2023). Pengaruh Penggunaan Platform Merdeka Mengajar Terhadap Kesiapan Guru dalam Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Di Gugus Gatot Subroto, Kecematan Unggaran Timur. International Journal of Technology, 47(1), 100950.
- Setiariny, E. (2023). Pemanfaatan Platform Merdeka Mengajar Sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Kualitas Pembelajaran. Jurnal Lingkar Mutu Pendidikan, 20(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.54124/jlmp.v20i1.81
- Synder, M. M. (2009). Instructional-design theory to guide the creation of online learning communities for adults. TechTrends, 53(1), 48–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-009-0237-2
- Vygotsky, L. (1986). Thought and Language. The MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/mind/os-xvi.62.181
- Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. In Harvard University Press. London, England: Harvard University Press.
- Wantiana, I., & Mellisa, M. (2023). Kendala Guru dalam Penerapan Kurikulum Merdeka. Jurnal Basicedu, 7(3), 1461–1465. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v7i3.5149
- Zahwa, N., & Nabilah, K. F. (2022). Kurikulum Merdeka untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Pembelajaran. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Konseling (JPDK), 4(6), 13404–13408.