By. Muhammad Eko Purwanto
Along with the rapid development of information and communication technology, the use of digital resources in education has become increasingly important in producing resilient and intelligent generations in the future. One of the foundations actively involved in utilizing this technology in education is the Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Wakaf Foundation. This foundation has 10 (ten) Al Azhar Islamic schools spread across the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions. The foundation is committed to developing learning methods and quality through the utilization of digital resources as an effort to develop learning innovation.
Several references related to learning innovation from education experts can be referred to to understand the definition of learning innovation based on their research and experience in education. First, according to Michael Fullan in his book "The New Meaning of Educational Change" (Routledge, 2001). He states, "Learning innovation is the use of new understanding of how people learn in formal and informal education processes to create more effective and meaningful learning experiences."
Then, David Thornburg, in his book "Campfires in Cyberspace: Primordial Metaphors for Learning in the 21st Century" (Thornburg Center for Space Exploration, 2007), asserts, "Learning innovation is the integration of technology, learning methods, and classroom design so that learners can actively participate in the learning process and build deep understanding." Furthermore, according to Roger Schank in his book "Virtual Learning: A Revolutionary Approach to Building a Highly Skilled Workforce" (McGraw-Hill, 1997), he says, "Learning innovation is designing learning experiences that are relevant to the real world, involving learners in authentic problem-solving, and facilitating collaborative learning."
Furthermore, according to Christensen, C. M., Horn, M. B., & Johnson, C. W. in their book "Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns" (McGraw-Hill, 2008), they state, "Learning Innovation is creating newer and more affordable learning models and creating more engaged learning experiences that allow learners to develop skills that are relevant to the workforce and daily life."
Along with the understanding of Education Innovation mentioned above and the rapid development of information and communication technology, digital resources in education have become an urgent necessity. In this digital era, schools must be able to provide reliable digital resources to maximize students' learning process. One school that has successfully implemented this is the Al Azhar Islamic School, located in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions.
These Al Azhar Islamic schools have long been known as schools that uphold the quality of education and provide the best service to their students. Using reliable digital resources, these schools can provide more exciting and interactive learning experiences for their students. One of the digital resources owned by the Al Azhar Islamic schools in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions is the Smartboard. Smartboard is a digital tool that is an electronic whiteboard equipped with touchscreen features. Using the Smartboard, teachers can easily present teaching materials with exciting images and videos and explain them more clearly to the students.
The students can also interact directly with this Smartboard. They can draw, write, and participate in learning activities with the help of the Smartboard. This makes learning more enjoyable and interactive, allowing the process of understanding the material to be more effective. In addition to the Smartboard, these Al Azhar Islamic schools are equipped with a comprehensive Digital Smart Classroom. In this Digital Smart Classroom, students can learn various valuable applications and software to support their learning. Students can learn computer operation, programming, graphic design, and other digital skills.
With the presence of the Digital Smart Classroom, computer laboratories are no longer needed. The Al Azhar Islamic schools in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions can produce generations proficient in information technology. These generations can compete in this digital era and have digital skills that support their future careers and daily lives. In addition to the Smartboard and the Digital Smart Classroom, students have fast and stable internet access in the Al Azhar Islamic schools in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions. With this reliable internet access, students can access various digital learning resources such as e-books, instructional videos, and online educational platforms. Students can learn more in-depth about topics that interest them outside of class hours.
They can also conduct independent research and obtain the latest information from various online sources. With fast and stable internet access, learning becomes more flexible, and students can develop their interests and talents according to their needs and interests. The use of reliable digital resources, as an effort to develop learning innovation, has made the Al Azhar Islamic schools in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions a choice for parents to provide the best education for their children. Parents are confident that their children will receive quality and relevant learning experiences aligned with the current development.
Furthermore, the students who study in these Al Azhar Islamic schools also have the opportunity to develop good information technology skills. They can use these reliable digital resources to prepare for their future, which is increasingly dependent on technology.
Therefore, it cannot be denied that the Al Azhar Islamic schools in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions have successfully provided reliable digital resources in their learning process. Through Smartboards, computer laboratories, and fast and stable internet access, the students can learn more interactively, deeply, and with high quality. They can also develop information technology skills that are essential for their future. Through all of this, the Al Azhar Islamic schools in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions have become ideal places to receive quality education in this digital era.
Empowering Digital Resources
The Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation and its affiliated schools in the Kemang Pratama and Grand Wisata regions share the same vision: to produce generations with Islamic character and quality in academic and non-academic fields. By utilizing digital resources, the Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation and its managed schools are determined to optimize the learning innovation process and expand the students' understanding of Islam.
The utilization of digital resources in learning has many benefits. One of them is as an attractive teaching aid for the students. The learning process can become more exciting and enjoyable for the students through interactive and multimedia approaches. This will create a high learning motivation among the students.
Additionally, digital resources also enable students to learn independently. Information can be accessed quickly and easily through the internet in this digital era. Students can utilize this information to develop their knowledge and skills beyond class hours. Consequently, students will gain a broader and deeper understanding of Islam.
The Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation also designs platforms or educational applications to facilitate interaction and learning between students and teachers. These applications provide various features that help teachers explain teaching materials interactively, such as animations, images, and instructional videos. On the other hand, students can access learning materials, assignments, and quizzes through these applications.
The utilization of digital resources in learning also provides an opportunity for teachers to improve the quality of their teaching methods. Teachers can participate in various trainings, seminars, and online discussions in the platform or educational application to gain a new understanding of more effective and efficient teaching methods. Teachers can also access various learning resources that can help them enhance the quality of teaching.
Furthermore, the Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation also collaborates with various educational institutions and technology companies. This collaboration allows students to receive training and certification in various IT skills, such as programming, graphic design, and network management. Thus, students understand Islam and have skills in the technology field that they can apply in the real world.
In implementing digital resources in learning, the Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation also pays special attention to security and supervision aspects. The foundation's IT team is aware that the use of technology also brings risks, such as inappropriate content, internet misuse, and data loss. Therefore, these schools are protected by the IT team of the Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation, which is responsible for ensuring security and implementing strict policies regarding the use of digital resources.
In the end, with the utilization of digital resources, the Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation, along with its affiliated schools, has succeeded in improving the methods and quality of learning in the Al Azhar Islamic schools in the Jakapermai, Kemang Pratama, and Grand Wisata regions. The students have a broad understanding of Islam and skills in the technology field that will be crucial for their future. Furthermore, the teachers can develop themselves and improve the quality of their teaching. Thus, the Al Muhajirien Jakapermai Foundation actively creates resilient, intelligent, competitive generations in this digital era! Wallahu A'lamu Bishshawwab.
Bekasi, December 29, 2023.
