Reaching Younger Distance Learners through Technology & Social Media, Indonesia Case Study

REACHING YOUNGER DISTANCE LEARNERS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY & SOCIAL MEDIA Tian Belawati & Dimas Agung Prasetyo

The 5th Partners Meeting, APCICT-ESCAP 27-29 Nov 2013

THE INDONESIA ARCHIPELAGO

3,500 miles (1,919,440 sq km) – 17,000 islands

DEMOGRAPHIC FACTS

The Sleeping Giant

240 Millions population living in more than 17 thousands island

60% of populations are productive (young people)

Predicted as World Economic Power Rich in natural resources Abundant man power Stable economic growth rate

CONDITIONS

Struggling just like another developing countries: Preparing young group of people to become productive people Providing access to education services

Success in compulsory education program 95% of children population joining basic education program Shift focus from 6 to 9 year basic education (including elementary

and junior school) 165 thousand elementary, 43 thousand junior and 25 thousand

senior schools

Need to provide more access to higher level of education Indonesia only have 3070 higher institution (University and college

level) Need to widen access to higher education service Distance Education might be a good alternative solutions

DISTANCE EDUCATION IN INDONESIA Has long history

Started in 1950 education radio program

Diploma program for teacher upgrade using correspondence letter in 1955

Halted due political condition

Continued in 1970 by ‘New Order’ government Radio program for primary teacher (1970) 1975 Palapa Satelite launced, enabled tv broadcast for

education Shifted focus to upgrade junior level teacher, junior lecturer

started in 1980 1984 , UT was established

DISTANCE EDUCATION IN INDONESIA Emphasized in employees upgrade program

Teacher Lecturer Civil cervants

Widening access to education

DISTANCE EDUCATION AND YOUNG PEOPLE Distance Education has been proven effective to widen

access to education

Many developing use implement this system to address their problem in providing access to education

But:

DE requires special characteristics Independence Flexible

Sometime resulting higher drop out rate especially for younger learner

DROP OUT PROBLEM

TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION Somewhat difficult in the past, but thanks to:

The coming of Web 2.0 Affordable access to technology

Shifting focus to user’s creation and creativity

Using Social media and technology to help learner (younger learner)

The key : “Reaching students using their ways” Create social community Provide supportive and constructive environment Teacher repositioning; to be a facilitator

Supported by affordable internet price and mobile phone penetration

SOCIAL MEDIA

INDONESIA INTERNET CONDITION

INDONESIA INTERNET CONDITION

INDONESIA INTERNET RATE

Operator  PackagePrice (IDR)

IDR1=USD11,000Quota Max Speed

Esia Super Deal 30,000 1 GB 153,6 Kbps

Axis Axis Pro 24,900 750 MB 7,2 MbpsAxis Axis Pro 49,000 1,5 GB 7,2 Mbps

Esia Super Mega 50,000 2 GB 3,1 Mbps

Indosat Super 3G+ 50,000 1,2 GB 7,2 Mbps

Indosat Super 3G+ 25,000 500 MB 3,6 Mbps

Kartu As Ultima 50,000 300 MB 3,6 Mbps

Kartu Halo Ultima 50,000 1 GB 14,4 Mbps

Simpati Ultima 25,000 150 Mb 7,2 MbpsSimpati Ultima 50,000 600 Mb 7,2 Mbps

SmartFren Connex 50,000 2 GB 14,7 Mbps

SmartFren Connex 20,000 600 MB 3,1 Mbps

SmartFren Connex 49,000 2 GB 512 Mbps

Three Internet 50,000 1 GB 7,2 Mbps

XL Hotrot 3G+ 49,000 500 MB 7,2 Mbps

XL Hotrot 3G+ 25,000 200 MB 7,2 Mbps

UNIVERSITAS TERBUKA

Established in 1984, single mode university, the only tertiary institution using exclusively distance education mode of delivery.

A mega university 500 thousand students 6th place mega university

Main missions: To up-grade primary and secondary school teacher qualification up to full-teacher training degree

To widen access to higher education

CONDITION

Growing number of young students (high-school graduated) recently

65% of total student population are below 35 years old

Young students consider DE to continue their study

Face similar problem with another DE institutions -> Higher Drop Out Rate

DE advantages might be disadvantage for certain of students Openness and Flexibility requires Self-regulate and self

motivated

Need way to help and touch students

IMPLEMENTATION IN UT

The Key is personalization service in mass education program How to maintain student motivation and spirit especially

when having problems

Using various tools: Doesn’t have to be sophisticated Must be affordable from institution and students pov Ready masses service Simple and easy to use

SMS (SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE) Old technology but proven effective

Simple,cheap, reaching a lot of students

Regulary send personalized message, academic reminder, etc

Student’s can send their respond back to us directly

From student’s feedback: felt happy and appreciated felt guided during their study felt being treated as human being (not just a number of

students)

SOCIAL MEDIA

UT created official pages in Facebook and twitter where students can follow and can be updated with the latest info from the university

Promoting the creation of online community through social media Student can interact, share information within online

community Also provide social interaction between students

Created online forum for student interaction

Student doesn’t have to come to regional office to seek an information-> Now the information come to them

UT can harvest valuable information, input, complaint using agregator

SOCIAL MEDIA

UT IN FACEBOOK

1 official UT page

More than 1000 community group based on Prgram study Interest Hobby

All linked together

ONLINE FORUM

100,000 members online

OFFICE 365

Recently UT launched OFFICE 365 services Integrated communication

Email, Chat, Video conference, Desktop share, Document processor

Enhance communication , collaboration and productivity Mobile ready

Conduct webinar session regularly Disseminate info Training some new skills Problem sharing

OFFICE365

SCREENSHOOT

SCREENSHOOT

SCREENSHOOT

SCREENSHOOT

SCREENSHOOT

OUTCOME (I)

Final result is not yet shown but promising:

For example: Campaign to reintroduce Digital Textbooks Library to students using social media

Statistic result is impressive:

Students who accessed textbook was 1084% increased within the same period (50000 user compare to 4255 users in the last year)

OUTCOME (II)

Increased number in returning students in online tutorial

Indicated that more student’s retained in the online classes

Student’s willingness to finish the course are increased

CONCLUSION

DE migh be a good ansver to widen acces to higher education

Younger generations consider DE as viable alternative to continue their study

Young students’ characteristic may hold them finishing de classes

Using social media technology may help young students to develop adults characteristic needed for distance education, provide social interactions and

Also maintain and enhance motivation to continue their study

The technique used can also be used for older students