IJIET 2026 Vol.16(4): 930-941
doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.4.2564
doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.4.2564
From Digital Tools to Civic Engagement: How the NUSANTARA App Enhances Critical Citizenship Thinking
Dedy Ari Nugroho1,*, Eny Kusdarini1, Awanis Akalili1, and Mukhamad Murdiono2
1. Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia
2. Faculty of Law, Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia
Email: dedyari.2024@student.uny.ac.id (D.A.N.); eny_kusdarini@uny.ac.id (E.K.); awanisakalili@uny.ac.id (A.A.); mukhamad_murdiono@uny.ac.id (M.M.)
*Corresponding author
2. Faculty of Law, Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia
Email: dedyari.2024@student.uny.ac.id (D.A.N.); eny_kusdarini@uny.ac.id (E.K.); awanisakalili@uny.ac.id (A.A.); mukhamad_murdiono@uny.ac.id (M.M.)
*Corresponding author
Manuscript received August 27, 2025; revised October 9, 2025; accepted November 14, 2025; published April 13, 2026
Abstract—This study aims to examine how the NUSANTARA mobile application can improve students’ critical thinking skills in understanding citizenship issues. The background of this study is based on the need for an innovative learning approach that utilizes digital technology to shape reflective citizenship awareness and engagement. The study was conducted in the Pancasila and Civic Education (PPKn) Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Lambung Mangkurat University, in the Wetland Environmental Citizenship Course, using a quasi-experimental design. A total of 60 students were divided into two groups: an experimental group that used the NUSANTARA application and a control group that received conventional learning. For four weeks, the experimental group engaged with a digital citizenship module containing issue scenarios, reflective questions, and interactive media based on local and global contexts. Critical thinking skills were measured using a standardized test designed to assess analytical, evaluative, and reflective skills in the context of citizenship. Additionally, qualitative data were obtained through student reflection journals and focus group discussions. The results showed a significant increase in critical thinking scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. Qualitative data also showed an increase in citizenship awareness, critical questioning skills, and digital participation of students who used the application. This study concludes that the NUSANTARA application is effective in encouraging higher-order thinking skills and active involvement in citizenship learning in higher education.
Keywords—NUSANTARA App, critical thinking, citizenship, learning innovation, digital education
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
Keywords—NUSANTARA App, critical thinking, citizenship, learning innovation, digital education
Cite: Dedy Ari Nugroho, Eny Kusdarini, Awanis Akalili, and Mukhamad Murdiono, "From Digital Tools to Civic Engagement: How the NUSANTARA App Enhances Critical Citizenship Thinking," International Journal of Information and Education Technology, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 930-941, 2026.
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).