The Creativity of Islamic Religious Education Teachers in Fostering Interest in Memorizing Short Surah in Elementary School

Abstract

Creativity is the fundamental trait a teacher has to have.  Creative teachers can be recognized by their capacity to use several approaches and modify instructional methods to fit other learning environments.  This study intends to investigate the imaginative techniques used by Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers to inspire students' enthusiasm in memorizing short surahs at the elementary school level, also to know the supporting factors of it.  To capture the lived experiences of participants, a qualitative research design using a phenomenological method was applied.  In-depth interviews with Islamic Religious Education teachers, three students, and two parents yielded primary data.  These interviews aimed to collect ideas on the teachers' inventiveness in creating interesting memorizing exercises, their strategies for inspiring pupils, and the obstacles they face. The results show that students' motivation is much improved by the regular application of the muraja'ah (revision) technique in weekly memorization exercises.  Encouraging students' desire to memorize brief surahs was the inventiveness of PAI teachers.  The study also emphasizes, therefore, that the effectiveness of these memorization exercises at SDN Gulun 3 is significantly influenced by parental support and good rivalry among students.  These elements working together produce a synergistic environment that motivates pupils to be more dedicated and eager in learning brief surahs.

Keywords: Creativity, Islamic Religious Education (PAI), Muraja’ah Method.