E-Learning Implementation at Indonesian Universities: Policy issues and Challenges

by: T. Basaruddin (Dean – Faculty of Computer Science – UI)
[email protected]

Abstract

The university’s approach towards learning has long been considered as one of the least developed areas as far as university development is concerned. By and large, universities are still very much dominated by the so-called teacher-centered learning. Nonetheless, with the advancement of communication and information technology, there has been a notable attempt by most universities to improve their learning approach through the utilization of such technologies.
E-learning has been widely understood as the convergence of Internet technology and learning methodology. Like many other higher education institutions worldwide, Indonesian universities have also embarked on the adoption of ICT facilitated learning, to varying degrees of intensity. This talk will address some policy issues pertaining to the aforementioned endeavor. It will also touch upon the main challenges facing Indonesian universities in implementing such initiatives. Some major issues and challenges are highlighted below:
Unlike common practice in developed countries, most Indonesian universities have developed their academic programs somewhat independently of each other. It is rather uncommon to see student or staff exchanges amongst Indonesian universities. Institutional collaborations, particularly in academic programs, are somewhat limited. Even within an institution, mobility of students and staff from one department or faculty to another is also rather limited. This significantly reduces the opportunities for students to earn credit through some means of e-learning from outside his/her home institutions.
The way the credit system is implemented in Indonesian universities is essentially still based on the traditional approach of learning. Adjustments are deemed necessary if e-learning is to be successfully applied as one of the avenues for students to complete their curricula.
Although access to ICT technologies has been considerably advancing in some major cities, the availability of ICT infrastructure throughout the rest of the country is still considered limited. Furthermore, the cost for such access is still relatively above the level most Indonesian citizens can afford to pay.
The capability to engage in independent learning is not something that has been adequately developed amongst Indonesian students, largely due to the methodology used during the earlier stages of education. This creates an additional layer of complexity for the development of e-learning environments suitable for Indonesian students.
The development of good e-learning content requires three different sets of skills: pedagogy, subject matter, and ICT technical know-how. Such chemistry is rarely available in a single hand. Thus, collaboration is one of the critical success factors for implementing e-learning.

More detailed of his presentation can be downloaded here: isodl-talk-bali-nov07-tbasarudin