Development pundits always suggest that to improve a country, you just need to work on two things: Infrastructure and education. The rest, like the economy and people's wellbeing will follow. One should not forget that only five years ago, Prof. Larry Cuban of Stanford University found that only 1 in 10 teachers were using computers in the classroom (in the U.S.).
Now, computers are an integral part of teachers' daily activities.
Nowadays, in most American classrooms teachers use computers by accessing their own school's website or subscribed 3rd party learning sites for learning materials. Most of them are also animated and utilizing multimedia technology. Students of K-12 (or from kindergarten to high school) now use computers to do homework and assignments.
What is wrong in this picture? One may think that the American government overspent its budget on education. Some people who are also taxpayers are complaining that the budget for schools is too much and is not scrutinized properly.
But what about in Indonesia? Teachers are known for their low salaries because of budget limitations, uncertain futures because of their "extended" part-time status, and burned-out minds because of a lack of regular training. Not to mention their workplace conditions: School buildings and facilities are falling apart or in many cases have never been renovated.
We did not address these problems when they first emerged in the past when we still had thick pockets. Now, the story has changed. The world is experiencing a food and fuel crisis. What can we expect from a government that is struggling to pay its own oil subsidies day-in, day-out? The answer: More regulations.
The government has been enacting regulations to certify positions in the teaching profession from elementary to university levels. If you are a teacher, you must be certified. This certification program looks promising, but it falls short of solving our real problems.
What can a certified teacher do in a classroom?
Not much, although it takes his or her creativity to maintain the learning enterprise. Teachers are not witches or wizards who can simply cast a spell or flick a magic wand to develop nice classrooms, interesting textbooks, high-speed Internet connections, or healthy meals for children (or turn out bright students -- ed). They are helpless without the government's good judgment in spending public money.
Technology can help. Computers are not a luxury item today, so we must use them. But technology cannot just be handed to schools and everything will run by itself. Technology must be integrated into teachers' activities. Furthermore, technology must be user-friendly, less hardware-oriented and more human.
Now that American schools have smart LCD projectors and smart boards, how can Indonesian schools hope to keep up in the technology invasion? Our schools need to do at least five things.
First, an overall assessment of technology currently used in classrooms here.
Second, to develop a benchmark of an appropriate level of technology use in schools, for example by evaluating a U.S. example.
Third, calculate the gap between the existing condition and expected goal (referring to the benchmark).
Fourth, search the most efficient methods and technology that could enable schools to reach this goal within a set timeframe.
Fifth, collaborate with other schools within the country and abroad.
Developing a sister-school scheme is one example. There are many ways to develop productive cooperation between schools and businesses in this global era.
A clean, technology-enriched and well-lit classroom is every teacher's dream. We just need to make sure that we are aiming at this goal, seriously and tirelessly.
written by
Totok Amin Soefijanto