Designing and Developing Students' Lesson Plan Based On Merdeka Curriculum Within 21st Century Skills in the Teacher Training Faculty of Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar

Abstract

This study aims to design and develop an English lesson plan model by translating the principles of the Merdeka Curriculum into classroom learning practice while integrating 21st-century skills. The research approach uses the ADDIE framework applied through analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The design product was developed from curriculum document analysis, needs surveys, focus group discussions, expert validation, limited trials, and revisions. The development participants were 32 students taking the lesson planning course; two curriculum experts and the researcher as validators; and ten students in the limited trial. Data was collected through questionnaires, document analysis rubrics, validation sheets, observation notes, and reflective responses. The findings showed three main needs: a clearer alignment between Learning Outcomes, Learning Objectives, Learning Activities, and assessments; practical guidance for different instructions; and clear indicators for communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy. Expert assessments indicated a very high validity category (average validity index = 0.89), while student responses showed very high practicality (average = 4.42 out of 5). The quality of student lesson plans improved after using the guided product, from pre-development 67.3 to 86.1. The study concludes that a structured, curriculum-aligned planning model can strengthen pedagogical reasoning and teachers' readiness to implement the Merdeka curriculum