E-Learning Fast Becoming a Valued Tool in Papuan Universities

Jayapura. Distant learning over the Internet that has been developed with the standardized competence-based curriculum, is contributing to improvements in education quality, especially in universities in Papua, an expert says.

“E-learning, or online study, makes use of electronic technology that facilitates the students and instructors in communicating with each other in an atmosphere unencumbered by protocols like class schedules,” Suaib Halim, a professor of informatics technology, said in Jayapura on Monday.

“However, the programs used in e-learning should be based on national education standards [or KBK],” Suaib said.

In Jayapura Science and Technology University (USTJ) where Suaib teaches, KBK-based e-learning had been developed using a local hosting server at the campus’ data center unit. Suaib said the e-learning system was still a novelty and no standard guidelines for its implementation have yet been developed.

E-learning can take many forms in making study and teaching easier. The teacher placing study material on the web server is the most common form of e-learning. Other communication tools such as forums and mailing lists can be added to this.

An integrated e-learning system is more complex and involves establishing a portal containing various study objects enriched with multimedia applications and equipped with an academic information system, as well as online evaluation, communication and discussion tools.

Suaib said e-learning was highly beneficial for both instructors and students.

“E-learning can be accessed anywhere and anytime through the Internet,” he said.

The program makes it possible to free up the learning process by providing all the teaching material on the Internet.

Instructors can also communicate with their students outside the scheduled classes to assign projects and conduct tests, as well as to assess the student’s performance.

It is hoped that online learning method will motivate Papuan students and lecturers to use the Internet technology for a more effective learning process.



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