(Methodology Primary School)

"JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The learning and teaching process in schools continues to bore students and not inspire enjoyment of the process because teachers are still too dominant in the classroom.

"Students aren't given the freedom to express their individual and different points of view which is killing their creativity." -- Fasli Jalal

"Students aren't given the freedom to express their individual and different points of view which is killing their creativity," stated the Deputy Minister of National Education Mr. Fasli Jalal during a Professional Teacher Education discussion panel at the Faculty of Teaching and Education at the Catholic Universiy, Atma Jaya, on Saturday (4/12/2010)"

What is the main problem associated with the implementation of quality education in Indonesia (besides corruption), yes 'Students aren't given the freedom to express their individual and different points of view which is killing their creativity'. - Can we possibly hope that our graduates will be Active (let alone Pro-Active), Creative, Independant, and Capable of contributing to the country's development through Passive-Learning?

We have provided many examples, links to useful information, and manuals at our downloads page however we believe that many more teachers will begin to participate in the process if it is broken down into simpler, more visual stages that will hopefully stimulate a more rapid understanding of the basic issues, and more rapid movement nationally towards implementation of basic and effective learning methodologies. It is also hoped that teachers will more rapidly come to identify and focus upon strategies that will lead to Personal Development, and the development of Creative, innovative, and Independant Learners (develop the individual).

We are attempting to help teachers by providing simple steps that they can begin to implement (integrate) into their current methodologies without disturbing existing learning programmes, merely by the addition of strategies that will lead to more effective learning within those programmes.

The key to achieving World Standard quality education is Active-Learning (Student Centred) that is Contextual (Has Meaning and Useful Outcomes - Relevance).

First Step: Move towards learning that is more focussed upon the learners themselves. Rather than just delivering information and materials to the students (spoon-feeding), more frequently give the students the task of deciding upon solutions themselves through discussion, minor research activities, utilization of their own personal background experiences, etc. (problem solving).

Step 2: As time progresses, try increasing the role of your community in learning activities (including school grounds and local community facilities) as a resource for learning experiences (Learning that is Contextual). Step-by-step try moving towards learning activities that are partly or even wholly planned by the students themselves (given the learning objectives to be achieved). Slowly move towards stimulating Independancy in Learning and Student Participation in the Planning of Learning Activities.

Step 3: Try to progressively implement the use of teaching aids (and where useful and available) Audio-Visual Aids into the learning process. These can be; teaching aids that are available or realia, aids that you the teacher create yourself, or aids that the students themselves create as part of the learning process. Simple aids and low-technology are very useful for stimulating "Discovery Learning". Simple aids tend to stimulate Imagination, Discussion, Negotion Skills, and Creativity in students, whereas higher technologies tend to move more towards the "spoon-feeding of information" and are usually less effective.

Step 4: Gradually bring your classrom to life and make it a more conducive learning environment. Use the space available on walls and the ceiling for displaying student products. The "Era of Clean Walls" (paint only) has long since passed. Like the "Era of Students Sitting Sweetly" - only an unpleasant memory. Now we utilize all available space on walls and ceilings for exhibiting the products of our students.

Besides improving the classroom environment it shows that we are proud of their work and provides encouragement for the students themselves. It is important that we provide sufficient categories for displays so that all our students receive an opportunity for their work to be on display. "Nothing Succeeds Like Success" and if our students feel that their work is valued then they feel successful.
A Wonderful Motivator.....

Step 5: Once teachers have tried some of the steps above and feel like they want to learn more about PAKEM (Active, Creative, Joyful and Effective Learning), or further want to develop themselves as professional teachers they can access further information and training (which has been fully tested in the field) from the PDF files above.

However, we recommend that teachers try to integrate strategies 1 to 4 into their existing teaching strategies and learning programs before reading the documents provided above (Step 5). As is the case with our students, "Nothing Succeeds Like Success", we also believe that once teachers have experienced the excitement and rewards that come from trying steps 1 to 4 they will more eagerly embrace the challenges of implementing "Active, Creative, Joyful and Effective Learning" in their classrooms..

Certificate of Proficiency from Education Indonesia Network (Pendidikan Network Indonesia) As an enticement to encourage teachers to learn more about Active-Learning and participate in PAKEM programs we would like to provide in-school basic assessment services for teachers and also award teachers with a certificate upon successful demonstration of achievent of the basic teaching skills in their classrooms. Our intention is that these certificates will be awarded free of charge to teachers in Indonesian Primary and Secondary Schools (We are currently looking for a sponsor).

Under the umbrella of Education (Pendidikan) Network Indonesia I have created and maintained a continually growing network of websites (in Indonesian language) for the past 12 years (Currently around 150 websites, mainly related to Education and Technology issues). These websites have been fully developed by me personally and funded from my personal funds and personal income. However, in order to be able to conduct activities in the field, like those mentioned above, I require the support of a sponsor, either local or overseas. If you feel that your organization or AID program would like to support this program please contact me personally at Sponsor@Metodologi.Com or Phone: +62818 1949 00 All opportunities offered by sponsors will be given serious consideration.

(Besides Eradicating Corruption)

Tens of thousands of schools are in very poor condition and many classrooms are collapsing, including 70% of the schools in Jakarta, 30,000 villages are not connected To Electricity, 55 million people in our country do not have "access" to safe water supplies, Corruption Is In All Levels Of Education Implementation, Our National Exam Doesn't Encourage Creativity in Learning, we need to Stop The Curriculum Disadvantaging Our Students, 70% of Our High-School Graduates are Looking For Work Without Skills Training, Teacher Skills Need to Be Improved, Thousands of Children with a Disability are not Being Looked After, Quality Education Is Only For The Rich, and .........

Clearly, if we are going to formulate a holistic program for improving the quality of education in Indonesia we must be certain that the strategies that we adopt address the whole spectum of issues for all students (over 50,000,000 - 50 million) in Indonesia.

However, the main priorities must be the establishment of learning environments that are safe and conducive for learning (including electricity and clean water supplies) in all schools (almost 300,000 schools), and we urgently need to implement methodology based upon Active and Contextual Learning in order to produce the talented individuals that we need to address the myriad of issues confronting this country.

Phillip Rekdale
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