COMPUTER AND MY STUDENTS

By Edi Suswanto,S.Pd

When I was a teenager, the name of computer is too difficult to imagine. One of my friends said that the computer is cleverer than human being. Why? It can do everything in our life, my friends said. So, where does it come from, I thought. These questions always come in my brain when I was watching TV, listening to the radio or reading newspapers. Finally, I could find the answer that the computer is developed by the experts. It can’t work without human beings! So, the computer is only one tool. The experts’ creation are really amazing and sophisticated!

For the western people, the computer is a part of their life. It can help them to make something easier and cheaper. As far as we know that computers use in many aspects of life; industries, financial, business, bureaucracy, harbor, airport, etc. It is very difficult to find a system without using computers in America or Europe and several countries in Asia.
What about computer users in Indonesia? I am not pessimistic. I believe that the users of computer will increase in 2020. Why I can say like that, some reports said that the sale of computers in Indonesia will be good next time. In 2009, we can see that most of all offices, national and regional governments use computers system, including educational institutions.
Now, let’s see what about computer users at schools in Indonesia. In big cities, the students have no problem about computers because their schools have computer laboratories completely. They can practice how to operate the computer at school or out of school. That way they will be easier to access the computer and internet. Now it depends on them. The students in the cities have many chances to increase and enrich their knowledge in high-tech.
Meanwhile, it is contrary with schools in rural areas. We know that they have no electric power so the computers are useless. In the meantime, we also have to admit that many schools in suburban or rural areas have had computers and the teachers have capabilities in teaching of ICT (information communication and technology). But the problem is when the government can see clearly that the education is important. If the government can realize the budget 20%, I believe that our education will change in short time.
I believe that “the wind of change” will come soon. Although we have not enough computers but the teaching-learning process must go on. Now I feel that behind the wall of our house they use computer and internet to study and search the answers. Several months ago I followed the training of MT (master teacher) in Palembang. It is held by Sriwijaya University and focused on how the teachers teach and use the computer and internet in the classroom. This method is arranged how the students can study together and use the internet in searching the answers.
I always tell to the students that this era is computer and internet era. So, starting this point we have to operate the computers and internet. This technology can help you. Now if we can’t take this chance, we will be late. Today all countries are moving to computer and internet era. And of course as a teacher, I can’t stop teaching you.