When Social Networking Beats Out Online Learning
Alhamdulillah, essay ini terpilih sebagai juara I Writing Essay Competition yang digelar pada acara EDSA 31st Anniversary 2013.
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Nowadays,
social networking is one of a very popular issue among the majority in the
world, including Aceh. The social networking can be defined as an act of
engagement. It also can be defined as groups of people with common interests,
or like-minds, associate together on social networking sites and build
relationships through community.[1] The social networking becomes a necessity for
everyone. Social networking not only helps people to connect with everybody in
this world but also, somehow, become a lifestyle for them.
The
popularity of social networking together with availability of internet
connection around the world has been creating a new world in the real world.
This new world has a new way in gathering people because this world is not limited
to space and time. This world can provide and spread information faster. This world is
called cyber world. By the time, people move from the real world to cyber
world. Then, they become the cyber citizens. This condition forced them to
create, at least, an account, in social networking in order to tell the whole
world that they are “exist”. This phenomenon makes the Acehnese people want to
learn and to know more about the use of internet and some technological tools,
such as computer, laptop, smart phone, and tablet on the purpose of becoming
the cyber citizens.
Besides
the hot issue of social networking, today we commonly know about the issue of
online learning too. Ally defines that online learning as the use of the
Internet to access learning materials.[2] Usually, online learning
contained with some multimedia applications that can create flexible learning
environment for learners. Just like social networking, online learning needs high
technology tools and internet connection as well. However, unlike the
popularity of social networking around the majority of Aceh, the popularity of
online learning seems left behind.
A
research which was conducted by ‘Ulya in Banda Aceh, 2012 stated that from 81% of the
students who were participated in her research which understand in accesing
internet, 90% of them never use the internet for online
learning. The students argued that the information of online learning
was not as popular as social networking.[3]
In addition, a college student infers that Acehnese people’ tendency who love
playing rather than learning makes social networking which provides more
interesting features become more popular around Acehnese majority. [4]
In
addition, the magister
who
was graduated from information and society in National United University Taiwan argued that social
networking gives different psychological condition to the user. Feeling of
freedom, pleasure, happy and fun are several good feeling that majority find
when using the media in social networking.[5]
Similarly, the director of women
magazine in Aceh, POTRET magazine, conveyed that the environment and name that
carried by both of social networking media and online learning media are
different. Social networking is, usually, named by a unique name that easy to
read and remember. The name gives some psychological addicted to the user. The
user always want to use and say everything on social networking, twitter for
example, and they always want to come back soon in order to face the social
networking again such as facebook. Moreover, the social networking gives more
freedom to the user in accessing the media. The user is allowed to explore and
share everything for free in it, without any limitation, as long as their acts do not offend everything that
is related to
ethnic, religious, racial, and pornography issues.[6]
On
the other hand, Tabrani assumed that the name of online learning, which bring
along the word “learning”, created psychological block for the user. The word
learning create such a serious situation for the user. They will assume that
every single thing which is contained by online learning will look so
scientific and tense. Responding to the problem, he gave some solution to
overcome the psychological block from the online learning. He suggested in changing the word learning
with the other synonymous. So that, it will reduce the tense of the user.
Furthermore, creating the new image for online learning by containing several
interesting new features for supporting learning can be another good solution
too.
A programmer, who created one of alternative learning media for students
college, added that actually both of social networking and online learning have
different features and pleasure. At this time, social networking looks more
desirable because it produces the benefits that the majority need at this time.
However, it could be possible for online learning to become an interesting
media in the future too, if only it can provide the features that are needed by
consumers.[7]
Finally,
from those data, arguments and views, we can find the cause of why at this time
social networking can beat out online learning. Actually, social networking and
online learning, both of them, need such a modern and high technology tools to
use. However, some interesting features and psychological aspects have been giving the big influence for the
development of both media in society, especially for Acehnese people.
[1]Sarah Hartshorn, 5 Differences Between Social Media and Social Networking, from: http://socialmediatoday.com/SMC/194754 retrieved on April, 2013.
[2]M. Ally. “Foundations of Educational Theory for Online Learning,” in T. Anderson, & F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and Practice of Online Learning (pp. 3-32), (Canada: Athabasca University, 2004), p.4-5.
[3] Ayu ‘Ulya, Students’ Perception of Online Learning through ESL/EFL Websites, Banda Aceh: IAIN Ar-Raniry, 2012, p.45.
[4] Muhammad Zakwan, Personal Interview, April 2013.
[5] Ima Dwitawati, Personal Interview, April 2013
[6] Tabrani Yunis, Personal Interview, April 2013
[7] Rizqi Muharridha, Personal Interview, April 2013.
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REFERENCE
Ally, M., (2004), Foundations of Educational Theory for Online Learning, in T. Anderson, & F. Elloumi(Eds.), Theory and Practice of Online Learning (pp. 3-32), Athabasca: Athabasca University.
Hartshorn, S., 5 Differences Between Social Media and Social Networking, from: http://socialmediatoday.com/SMC/194754 retrieved on April, 2013.
‘Ulya, A., (2012), Students’ Perception of Online Learning Through ESL/EFL Websites, Banda Aceh: IAIN Ar-Raniry.
Written by: Ayu 'Ulya
I am really proud of you. Congratulation for the very important article you have written
BalasHapusBest Regards
Tabrani Yunis