Malanginspirasi.com – Two seventh-semester students from Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Tri Aryo and Dafir Iklan, are undertaking an effort to improve the quality of education for students with disabilities.
Two seventh-semester students from Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Tri Aryo and Dafir Iklan, are working to improve the quality of learning for students with disabilities by creating an engaging motor activity teaching module specially designed for children with intellectual disabilities (tunagrahita) in Phase A.
On Tuesday, 18 November, 2025, the two students began testing their module at SLB Al-Fir Ma’unah in Jabung District, Malang Regency.
They plan to continue the research at two more special needs schools (SLB): one in Porong, Sidoarjo, and another in Pandaan.
“Starting from 8 a.m. today, my friend and I have been teaching these sports activities to the children,” said Tri Aryo.
Unlike regular schools that already have plenty of motor activity modules, special needs schools often lack fun and suitable materials. That is why Tri Aryo and Dafir chose this topic for their final-year thesis — not only to complete their studies, but also to uphold the principle of treating every human being with dignity, regardless of ability.
“We want to humanize all people without distinguishing between those who are ‘normal’ and those with special needs,” Tri Aryo emphasized.
Three Fun Activities to Build Coordination
The module includes three main activities designed to train movement coordination in an enjoyable way:
- Eye-Hand Coordination Throwing and catching a ball, bouncing it, and catching it again — simple exercises to improve visual focus and hand response.
- Hand-Foot Coordination Walking and jumping in a zigzag pattern between cones, helping students develop balance, concentration, and simultaneous use of hands and feet.
- Reaction Coordination Using colored signals, students jump according to the color called out, then combine zigzag walking with bouncing a ball. This builds agility, quick reactions, and the ability to follow more complex instructions.
“The key is that lessons must be fun and exciting, never boring. So the children stay focused and enthusiastic,” Tri Aryo explained.
Warm Welcome from the School
Evi Yuli, principal of SLB Al-Fir Ma’unah Jabung, warmly welcomed the research.
“We are very happy when university students come to conduct research here,” she said.
She adding that even children without disabilities can sometimes be challenging to manage, so the behavior of children with intellectual disabilities is nothing surprising.
Tri Aryo and Dafir hope their module will become a practical, enjoyable resource not only for the three schools in their study, but also for many other special needs schools across the country.
Through this small yet meaningful project, the two UM students are making a real contribution toward a more inclusive education system that truly leaves no child behind.
