IDF 2019 Nominated Speaker: Ahmad Lutfi Karim Invites Students to Learn Programming through ProdEd Online Application

Efforts to improve the ability to apply technology, including programming, must start early to be able to prepare and facilitate the process of knowledge transfer. Such is the opinion of one the Nominated Speaker of the Indonesia Development Forum (IDF) 2019, Ahmad Lutfi Karim. According to Ahmad, the introduction and habituation of early programming will foster a problem solver (solution-oriented) mindset. The program material is adapted to the development of age. Ahmad said this in a presentation entitled Pro-Ed (Programming Education) as the Leading Program for Improvement of Human Capital Facing the Indonesian Demographic Bonus 2030.

"ProEd is a program to improve students' expertise in the field of vocational programming, emphasizing the implementation of coding in the school environment from elementary to high school," explained Ahmad.

This student majoring in Food Technology and Agricultural Products, Gadjah Mada University, admitted that he was very interested in exploring the issue of technology development and creative industries. Ahmad also paid attention to social issues, especially regarding nutrition and education. He won the Youth Leadership Connection Writing Competition 2019 and won first prize in the essay writing on Industrial Revolution 4.0 at UGM. In his presentation about ProdEd, Ahmad collaborated with another UGM student, Muhammad Fawwaz Mayda.

ProEd offered by Ahmad and Fawwaz Mayda is a web-based programming learning online application that can be accessed anywhere and anytime. Ahmad hopes that ProEd will be able to improve the quality of Human Resources (HR) in the field of technological readiness to support work efficiency while encouraging significant profit increases. According to Ahmad, this program will have an impact on increasing labor costs.

Learning Programming in Stages

As with general school material that has a level and level of difficulty, ProEd will also divide learning modules based on elementary to high school education based on ages 5-16 years.

"ProEd will be formulated in the applicable curriculum and adjusted to the level of education of students in elementary, junior high, and high school. However, this division is not limited so that students who have more abilities can try more difficult learning modules," Ahmad wrote in his presentation.

For the Primary School category, ProEd will use online tools such as Tynker.com. This online platform for students can experiment using simple programming languages, for example, to control a game character in completing its mission.

The Secondary School (SMP) and High School (SMA) categories can start mathematical or physics problem-solving experiments with the help of programming. Ahmad explained, middle and high school students could be taught how to apply Javascript and Python languages in basic programming, as well as web developing with HTML or CSS. Teachers also need to be given training to facilitate its application in other fields.

"From the curriculum side, it must be specifically and clearly reformulated; assigning the right competencies with the right level of education," Ahmad said again.

The implementation of ProEd is outlined in three broad phases. First, the Student-Centered Learning Concept which requires students to try directly the results of their work in a browser. The results of the work of these students will be given a direct assessment by the system that previously will test the results of their work.

Second, the application of JavaScript or Python languages. The language tools for programming are used to create innovations and solve problems because both languages are very multi-functional and do not require installation of big apps.

Third, the application of ProEd is prioritized for schools located in urban areas that have been supported by digital infrastructure and adequate technical resources.

Ahmad realizes that the application of ProEd will require great effort, especially when it is included in the education curriculum. In fact, to promote the importance of programming and to create a mindset that will support this, we have to try hard.

"It also needs digital infrastructure such as the provision of an easily accessible internet," he said.

But Ahmad is optimistic that the development of massive technology in Indonesia will highly likely help to develop ProEd.

Development of ProdEd in Various Fields

According to Ahmad, vocational knowledge and application of programming will support students to directly apply the ideas they have without having to go through many intermediaries who risk discarding ideas. The basic coding competencies that ProdEd brings must also be adjusted to the mindset of the problem solver. That is, it can be developed and used for the fields of health, food, fisheries, and others

"With the coding skills taught by ProEd, later they can apply them in programming in other fields such as programming in catfish feed through the Internet of Things," Ahmad pointed out.

Ahmad presented the results of his work on ProdEd in IDF 2019 Ideas and Innovation Marketplace Co-Creating and Collaborating session, on July 22. The presentation is in line with sub-theme 2, Reforming the Vocational Education and Training (TVET) System for Future Jobs. It is mostly related to designing TVET curriculum that will prepare the next generation to be ready to meet the needs of the future workforce. The discussion on vocational education to support the development of policy recommendations in IDF 2019 adopted the main theme "Mission Possible: Seizing the Opportunities of Future Work to Drive Inclusive Growth.”