Application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Education in Indonesia

Indonesia never use the term telematics (Telematics) for roughly the same meaning with ICT as we know it today. Encarta Dictionary describes as telecommunication + informatics Telematics (telecommunication + informatics) even before the word meaning the science of the data transmission. Processing and distribution of information through telecommunications networks open up many opportunities to be exploited in various fields of human life, including one in education. The idea of ​​using machine-learning, making the simulation of complex processes, the animation process described is very difficult to attract teaching practitioners. Plus, the possibility to serve the learning that is not constrained time and place can also be facilitated by ICT. In line with the start popping up various sites beginning with e, from e-book, e-learning, e-laboratory, e-education, e-library, and so forth. E meaningful prefix is implicitly understood that electronics technology based on digital electronics.

Use of ICT in learning in Indonesia has had a long history. Initiative organizes educational radio and television broadcasts of education is an effort to disseminate information to the educational units scattered throughout the archipelago. This is a form of consciousness to optimize the utilization of technology in helping the community learning process. The main weakness of educational television and radio broadcasting is the absence of immediate feedback. Direction of the broadcast nature of the resource persons or facilitators to learners. Introduction of computers with the ability to process and present a multimedia display (text, graphics, images, sounds and moving images) provide new opportunities to overcome the weaknesses that are not owned radio and television broadcasts. When the television is only able to provide direct information (especially if the material is a material tayangannya recordings), internet technology-based learning provides opportunities to interact both synchronous (real time) or asynchronous (delayed). Internet-based learning allows for learning in sync with the main advantage that the learners and the facilitator does not have to be in the same place. Utilization of video conferencing technology which is run by using Internet technology enables the learner to be anywhere along the network is connected to the computer. In addition to leading applications like that, some other opportunities that are simpler and less expensive also be developed in line with advances in ICT today.

Electronic books or e-book is one that utilizes computer technology to deliver multimedia information in a concise and dynamic. In an e-book can be integrated display sound, graphics, images, animations, and movies so that the information presented is richer than a conventional book. E-book type of the simplest is just to move a conventional book into electronic form displayed by the computer. With this technology, hundreds of books can be stored in a single CD or compact disk (capacity of about 700MB), DVD, or digital versatile disk (4.7 to 8.5 GB capacity) and flash (currently available capacity to 16 GB). Form more complex and require more careful design such as the Microsoft Encarta and the Encyclopedia Britannica which is encyclopedic in multimedia format. Multimedia format allows the e-book provides not only written information but also sound, images, movies and other multimedia elements. A description of one type of music for example, can be accompanied by footage of the sound of music so that users can clearly understand what is meant by the renderer.

In addition, there are also e-learning is the result of ICT developments. Victoria L. Tinio, for example, stated that e-learning covers learning at all levels, formal or informal, who uses a computer network (intranet and extranet) for the delivery of learning materials, interactions, and / or facilitation. For most of the learning process takes place with the help of the Internet is often referred to as online learning. Broader definition proposed in the working paper SEAMOLEC, namely e-learning is learning through electronic services. Although various definitions but basically agreed that e-learning is learning by utilizing electronic technology as a means of presenting and distributing information. Included in the definition of educational television and radio broadcasting as a form of e-learning. Although radio and television education is one form of e-learning, it is generally agreed that e-learning reaches its peak form after a synergy with the internet technology.

Internet-based learning or web-based learning in its simplest form is a website that used to present learning materials. This method allows learners to access learning resources provided by resource persons or facilitators whenever desired. When needed can also be provided a mailing list specifically for those learning site that serves as a discussion forum. E-learning facilities provided by the complete specialized software called learning management software or LMS (learning management system). LMS-based running the latest internet technology so it can be accessed from anywhere over the available access to the internet. Facilities provided include the management of students or learners, the management of learning materials, learning management, including management of learning evaluation and management of a facilitator of communication between the learner-facilitator. This facility allows the learning activities are managed without any face to face between the parties involved (administrators, facilitators, learners or learners). 'Presence' the parties involved are represented by e-mail, chat channels, or via video conference.