Exploring the Possibility and the Implication of Local Knowledge into Science Learning Process

Abstract

Many locals have been using scientific way and thinking in everyday life, but they cannot provide the exact explanation. The conventional way of teaching in Bugis-Makassar school is far from valuing the local culture. The learning process does not provide direct learning experience to the students due to the lack of teaching resources. The local community encourages the school institution to infuse their educational process with their local knowledge. This paper aimed to explore the possibility to integrate the local knowledge of Bugis-Makassar into science learning process and its positive impact to student, school, and community. It can be seen that local knowledge or tradition is a cross-sectional boundary study area with science. Several studies have demonstrated that they could be combined to create a meaningful learning process. The review of several literatures showed that the integration would improve student achievement and maintain their cultural identity. To conclude, there is a possibility of local knowledge can be integrated into science learning process and has positive implications. Although the integration has some challenge, the teachers should be aware that it will bring a lot of positive impacts not only for the student but also for the school and community.