The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online learning worldwide, and Indonesia is no exception. With schools closed and physical classes being cancelled, students have had to rely on online learning to continue their education. Many institutions are now offering their services through digital platforms. In recent years, online learning in Indonesia has emerged as a convenient and effective way for students to access education. The pandemic has forced millions of Indonesian children to shift their educational situation from offline to online.
According to a report by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the number of students who accessed online learning in Indonesia increased from 23 million to 63 million during the pandemic. This shift towards online learning has made quality education accessible to students from all parts of Indonesia, regardless of their geographic location or economic background. Indonesia is one of the countries in Asia with the highest e-learning growth rates in Asia, expected to amount 19.20m users by 2026. This highlights the importance of online learning in ensuring that students can continue their education, even during difficult times.
Moreover, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) has implemented Merdeka Curriculum levelled with various Merdaka Belajar programs to improve the quality of education in Indonesia. Anindito Aditomo, the head of the ministry’s Education Standards, Curriculum and Assessment Agency (BSKAP), stated that the curriculum was designed as a flexible framework that liberated instructors, educators, and students.
Advantages of online learning:
- Studying at Own Pace
The convenience of learning at one’s own pace allows students to take as much time as they need to finish their coursework without being stressed out or overwhelmed. Additionally, this offers more scheduling flexibility, allowing students to balance their studies with other responsibilities. It encourages students to take control of their education and become more involved in the learning process by fostering a sense of autonomy and self-direction.
- Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of online learning is its flexibility. Students can access their lessons at any time and from anywhere. This means that students living in remote areas, or those who are unable to attend physical classes, can still access quality education. This is particularly useful for students who need more assistance with specific courses as it allows them to spend more time on those areas until they are all prepared.
- Cost Effective
Students do not have to worry about paying for housing or commuting to class because they can study from the convenience of their own homes. Furthermore, compared to conventional courses, online courses can offer reduced tuition costs. For students who might have tight budgets, this cost savings is especially helpful. The affordability of online learning is a key benefit that increases access to and affordability of education for a larger spectrum of people.
- Personalised Learning Experience
Online learning offers students personalised educational experiences and activities that align with their needs. It utilises interactive multimedia tools like videos, audio, quizzes, and data analytics to enhance learner engagement, participation, and knowledge retention. By developing personalised learning routes for each student based on their unique strengths and limitations, online learning promotes higher student engagement and better learning outcomes. This makes it a game-changer for students who require specialised guidance and support to succeed in education.
- Reduced Academic Pressure
Between constant studying and fear of exams, the added stress of academic competition can be overwhelming. Fortunately, online learning provides a more flexible and personalised approach to education, which can help alleviate this pressure. With more freedom and less emphasis on competition, students can fully devote themselves to their studies and succeed without added stress.
- Immediate Doubt Clarification
Unlike in traditional classrooms, online learning allows for immediate doubt resolution through real-time interaction with teachers. Personalised mentor support provided by online learning platforms makes it possible for prompt clarification, which aids students in learning more effectively and quickly and not having to wait for the next day to inquire.
While online learning offers several benefits, it also comes with its set of challenges and limitations. Regarding the quality of online learning and gaining access to it, the digital gap, and language barriers, students, teachers, schools, and parents encounter hurdles.
Challenges and drawbacks of Online learning in Indonesia
- Quality of Online Course
Although Indonesian online learning platforms provide a wide selection of courses and study materials, their quality of education might differ significantly. Learning outcomes for students may be impacted by courses that are poorly planned or lack efficient teaching methods. To provide students with the best learning experience possible, educators must constantly assess and enhance online learning strategies.
- Digital Gap
One study shows that the number of students participating in online learning and new learner growth saw more than 50% nationwide in 2021. The digital gap must be addressed at this rate of advancement since it prohibits many students from accessing online education due to a lack of the essential infrastructure and technology. This restriction presents a serious problem, especially in rural and distant places where students might not have access to laptops, smartphones, or internet connectivity, which could have an impact on their academic performance.
A well-designed and user-friendly platform that offers students top-notch courses and educational resources is required to facilitate a smooth transition to online learning in Indonesia. Students should be able to acquire a better education and accomplish their academic goals by improving the online learning experience. This can be accomplished by developing interesting and entertaining online courses, giving students the chance to communicate with their teachers and classmates, and providing assistance to those who are having trouble with other difficulties such as language hurdles. Digitization in education helps close the achievement gap and provide students the chance to succeed regardless of their location or background with the appropriate strategy.
Strengthening Education in Indonesia via Online Learning
Jelajah Ilmu is an online learning platform in Indonesia that offers tools and comprehensive features to educational institutions. Jelajah Ilmu adapts features of international standard which both students and teachers can explore, study and teach online in a convenient way. With its wide range of features, Jelajah Ilmu aims to deliver quality education to students throughout Indonesia regardless of their location.
Jelajah Ilmu is a perfect one stop solution to online academic delivery for educational institutions. This platform enables teachers and students to conduct and attend classes, submit and receive assignments, take and grade exams, access reliable data on student performance and many more all within the same platform. Jelajah Ilmu also offers personalised learning, with each student having access to their school teachers who can guide and provide individualised support.
Also, the platform’s Student & Teacher monitoring features allows school leaders to have deep insights into the academic pulse of their school which is crucial for decision making.
With the login information provided by the school, students can access Jelajah Ilmu platform via website or mobile application making it easy and convenient to use.
Together with Jelajah Ilmu, Acer for Education collaborates closely with educators at schools to provide students with the digital tools they need to thrive in the modern digital world. Jelajah Ilmu provides high quality education courses enriched with Intan Pariwara’s extensive collection of interactive eBooks with scribbling, note taking & Autoread features and integrated exercise tips for comprehensive & fun learning. Together, these learning entities have come together to offer end-to-end educational solutions that are accessible to everyone.
To help bridge the digital division in online learning, Jelajah Ilmu makes learning resources accessible to students who may not have access to the requisite infrastructure and technology. Schools adopt Jelajah Ilmu platform for equal distribution of quality education in Indonesia.
Online learning has become an integral part of the education system in Indonesia. With the help of platforms like Jelajah Ilmu, students can access quality education from the comfort of their homes, school or anywhere. Online learning offers many benefits, including flexibility, personalised learning, and accessibility, making it an excellent option for students from all parts of Indonesia. By embracing online learning, students can continue their education, even during challenging times, and prepare themselves for a brighter future.
