August 21, 2024
JAKARTA – Indonesia has just celebrated another year of independence and as the nation embraces advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI), a pivotal question arises: Can AI transform Indonesian education?
The potential is vast but depends on our teachers’ foundational knowledge, critical thinking and innovative pedagogy. Effective integration of AI into professional development requires teachers to not only be equipped with modern technologies but also possess the critical skills necessary to use these tools effectively.
This dual preparation will unlock AI’s full potential to enhance teacher autonomy and elevate educational standards.
This Independence Day, we envision a technological revolution in teacher professional development, which is vital for quality instruction and intrinsic to every citizen’s experience of true independence.
The latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) show the country had around 3.1 million teachers in 2022, of which 2.5 million were state employees. This figure is still below the ideal of 4.2 million teachers.
Apart from quantity, quality remains an uphill challenge. Competency tests from 2015 to 2021 found that around 81 percent of teachers did not achieve the minimum score. When it comes to student performance as the outcome of learning activities, Indonesia has consistently ranked low in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
While the integration of AI, particularly OpenAI, into teacher development promises to foster educational autonomy, rigorous research must first validate these methods. For this purpose, the education research team of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) conducted a study in collaboration with the University of Canberra on how Indonesian teachers utilize OpenAI, with an aim to understand the integration of AI into educational practices.
This research underscores the urgent need for tailored AI applications that address the unique demands of the Indonesian educational landscape, thereby increasing the relevance and impact of technology in education.
A survey of over 3,000 Indonesian teachers, of which 58.74 percent were female, revealed that around 55 percent used generative AI in teaching, albeit minimally. Those who employed AI tools reported greater independence and comfort in addressing the needs of their digital native students. These teachers used AI to develop diverse learning materials and to generate and evaluate questions that foster higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).
This comprehensive use of AI not only streamlines material creation and lesson planning but also enhances the learning experience, making education more engaging and personalized.
The teachers expressed concerns, however, highlighting that reliance on AI might reduce critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students, since quick solutions from AI could diminish the incentive for deeper engagement with learning materials. Moreover, increased usage of AI could decrease direct social interactions, which are crucial for developing interpersonal skills and supportive learning environments.
Theoretically, AI can serve as a catalyst for professional growth by providing real-time feedback in simulated classroom scenarios, thus allowing teachers to refine their teaching methods in a supportive environment.
Furthermore, AI has affordances to significantly boost pedagogical content knowledge (specialized knowledge needed to teach effectively) by offering customized content that aids teachers in understanding complex subjects and adopting innovative teaching strategies. This tailored approach not only meets diverse student needs, but also empowers teachers to overcome various educational challenges.
In Indonesia, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application remains a challenge. AI can help bridge this gap by offering a platform where teachers can explore teaching ideas and critically refine their strategies.
This melding of theory and practice can lead to a deeper understanding and practical application of educational concepts, thereby enhancing teaching effectiveness.
Just as independence symbolizes autonomy, integrating AI into education should allow teachers to independently enhance their professional development. This autonomy can lead to more personalized and effective teaching practices, mirroring broader national goals.
As we commemorate Independence Day, we reflect on our challenges, achievements and goals. Embracing AI should help prepare teachers and students for a technology-dominated future, ensuring that our educational programs evolve to meet these new challenges, thus maintaining our national independence and resilience.
Investing in AI research for education is crucial. It acknowledges our historical struggle for independence and lays the foundation for future generations to thrive in a competitive global economy. We must develop rigorous standards for AI in educational content, focusing on cultural relevance and pedagogical effectiveness.
A national framework supported by continuous professional development for teachers should be established to ensure that our educational independence keeps pace with technological advancements. It is crucial that we balance the benefits and risks of AI in education to enrich, rather than limit, engagement with learning materials.
This Independence Day should reconfirm our commitment to researching AI’s potential to enhance our educational system, ensuring that our legacy of independence continues to inspire innovation and quality across all aspects of Indonesian society.
It is time for policymakers, educators and academics to collaborate in exploring the integration of AI technologies for teacher professional development and for quality teaching in our schools. Through rigorous research and thoughtful implementation, we can position Indonesia as a vibrant hub of education, independence and technological innovation.