Ahmad Mufid, Karim Suryadi, R. Rahmat, Asep Mahpudz
This research was conducted to explore how technology contributes to the development of national defense character in Generation Z students (Youth National Identity) living in the era of digital disruption. The research focused on the implementation of character education in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), institutions that play a crucial role in instilling national values. A qualitative approach with a case study design was used, allowing researchers to explore the phenomenon in depth and context. The research locations included several Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in South Sumatra, selected as representative locations for observing technology-based educational practices. Data collection was conducted through various methods, including in-depth interviews with educators and students, participatory observation of the learning process, documentation review, and focus group discussions (FGDs). This combination of techniques provided a more comprehensive picture of how technology is utilized to foster national defense values. The research findings indicate that digital media such as social media, e-learning platforms, and audiovisual materials play a crucial role in fostering internalization of values such as patriotism, tolerance, and discipline. The adaptation of technology within the Islamic boarding school education system has also been shown to increase student participation and strengthen their sense of belonging to the nation. The research identified several remaining obstacles. Some Islamic boarding schools lack adequate technological infrastructure, some educators have not yet fully mastered digital literacy, and there is a lack of systematic digital curriculum guidelines. These obstacles point to the need for a more planned strengthening strategy. The study's conclusion confirms that efforts to build national defense character through technology require collaboration between innovation in the learning process, improving the digital skills of educators, and providing educational content relevant to the developments of the digital era. With this support, Islamic boarding schools have great potential to become centers of national character education, able to adapt and develop according to the demands of the times. Copyright (c) 2026 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Departement of Civic Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
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