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Still room for EdTech now that we’re ‘back to school’?
There are gaps in our educational system in facilitating a smooth transition from traditional face-to-face to technology-based learning.
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Trial run: Students of SD Kalisari 01 state elementary school in East Jakarta take their exams during a trial program for in-class learning on June 9, after a year of online instruction. The government plans to reopen schools for the new academic year in July, despite growing concerns about the children’s safety as infections soar. (JP/P.J. Leo)
W
hen we think of EdTech in Indonesia, we often think of online bimbingan belajar (learning guidance) services such as Ruangguru and Zenius. But the reality is that EdTech is much more than that. EdTech, which stands for education technology, refers to digital technology to facilitate, as well as enhance, the learning experience for both students and teachers.
This definition is broad enough that even web conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet, which were not necessarily created for educational purposes, are now considered under the larger EdTech umbrella.
A survey by the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) found that teachers used a variety of EdTech products and services, such as Learning Management Systems (e.g., EdModo and Canvas) and interactive platforms (e.g., Kahoot and Menimeter) to facilitate distance learning over the past 18 months.
Despite the availability of these tools and technology, we have seen significant cases of learning loss, and teachers, parents and governments alike worry that students may have “lost” their academic skills and knowledge or may have experienced a halt to their academic progress as result of the pandemic.
The World Bank estimates that students have lost approximately 0.9 years of learning, and as of June 2021, Indonesia’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) score had gone down by 25 points, leading to significant repercussions in the long run, especially for the development of high quality human capital.
As reported, COVID-19 cases have begun to fall, and the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry has mandated that schools adopt hybrid learning, allowing students the option of attending class in person while abiding by safety protocols. Even UNICEF and the World Health Organization have encouraged schools throughout Indonesia to reopen.
But does that mean that EdTech failed us in remote learning? Not really. But there is a clear signal that there are gaps in our education systems in facilitating a smooth transition from traditional face-to-face to technology based learning, especially in terms of digital skills development.
