Joanna Tai finds a wonderful welcome for her Assessment for Inclusion Keynote
Recently Associate Professor Joanna Tai was invited to give a keynote at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia Faculty of Education 4th annual conference, which was about “Assessment and Equity in Education”. Here, she shares some of her reflections on the conference.
Members of Deakin and Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) have been partners and collaborators for several years, and I was excited to contribute to the growing relationship by accepting the invitation to be a keynote speaker at the UIII Faculty of Education 4th annual conference. UIII is a relatively new university and the Faculty of Education has so far accepted four cohorts of Masters and PhD students, who were all in enthusiastic attendance alongside their Faculty members. The Faculty are small in number but mighty in productivity: in addition to offering four theme streams across the Masters and PhD programmes, they also edit a journal, Muslim Education Review, host visiting scholars, run an annual conference, and are soon to be admitting undergraduate students.
It was my first time visiting Indonesia, despite it being one of our closest neighbours, and I’m glad I had such welcoming hosts. UIII is situated in Depok, about one hour from Jakarta airport, and I was collected and returned to the hotel each day by a pair of volunteer students. The roads and traffic were definitely something I wouldn’t have wanted to navigate on my own! On arrival, the campus seemed vast, and the buildings were impressive – including an eight-floor library! Being an international university, they are building a collection across many languages – Bahasa Indonesia, English, Arabic, and several others.
So now, to the conference itself. After a lovely opening ceremony with a traditional Indonesian dance performance representing the different regions (put on by students from the Faculty!), I had the honour of being the opening keynote speaker. With a topic like designing assessment for inclusion, it’s always hard to tell exactly which aspects will be most pertinent for a broad audience.
I focused my talk on considering how culture might be acknowledged and incorporated in inclusive ways
My work with our own CRADLE Indonesian students has helped me to understand how Indonesia is a place of many cultures and languages. This seemed to resonate with many of the attendees, and we had an excellent discussion session afterwards which demonstrated how attentive they’d been – even more impressive, since English (as I learned from some students with a linguistics background) is frequently a third, fourth, or even further down the list language for many people.
Professor Bahrul Hayat followed with his keynote immediately after, discussing the importance of large scale educational assessment and its potential impact on equity. It was great to hear the same underlying messages about the purposes of education from a different perspective. Professor Yan Zi from the Education University of Hong Kong (and CRADLE Honorary Professor) also gave his keynote to open the second day, highlighting the importance of student agency even within teacher-constructed systems, and offering implications for what we might do about learning and assessment in a digital world.
I had the opportunity to also attend some of the panel sessions, with presentations from scholars representing several institutions. Again, I was impressed by the quality of discussion and interaction amongst participants – and chuffed to see work by CRADLE colleagues and collaborators referenced in presentations.
Beyond the intellectual climate, the food was also delicious, with snacks in the morning, and a full cooked lunch showcasing typical Indonesian food. The conference dinner took place on the first day, and what started as a singing performance turned into karaoke for staff and students. Of course, I had to participate (thanks Dr Destina for being my duet partner!) too. One notable difference between Indonesia and Australia is the importance of photos: I was happy to pose with many students and now also have a great collection of memories from the conference. With the ongoing connection between institutions, I hope we’ll meet again in the future!
Assessment for All: Equity Takes Center Stage at FoE’s 4th International Conference
Assessment for All: Equity Takes Center Stage at FoE’s 4th International Conference
May 10, 2025
Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Achmad Jatnika
The two-day event brought together over a hundred participants, including scholars, educators, researchers, and students from Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and Hong Kong, who engaged in meaningful discussions on the intersection between assessment practices and equitable access to education.
In his opening remarks, UIII Rector Prof. Dr. Jamhari emphasized the university’s commitment to holistic education and its role in addressing global educational challenges. “As institutions of higher learning, our responsibilities reach far beyond the classroom. We must actively engage with society, build meaningful partnerships, and apply our academic strengths to help solve real-world issues and support national progress,” said Prof. Jamhari.
He also expressed gratitude to the keynote speakers, educational assessment experts Prof. Bahrul Hayat of UIII, Associate Professor Joanna Tai (Deakin University, Australia), and Prof. Yan Zi (The Education University of Hong Kong) for their valuable insights and contributions to the academic exchange.
Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Nina Nurmila, provided an overview of the conference’s background, aligning it with the faculty’s core areas of concentration. “Our annual conference rotates around four key concentrations of our study programs,” she explained. “This year, we focus on Educational Assessment and Evaluation. Next year, we will revisit the theme of Education and Society.” She also highlighted how the conference serves multiple goals beyond academic dialogue.
“Our aim is to provide a platform for senior and junior scholars to share research, foster networking for future collaborations, promote our growing campus, and enhance the visibility of our journal Muslim Education Review (MER)—which is now SINTA 3 accredited and striving toward Scopus indexing,” said Prof. Nurmila.
Chair of the organizing committee, Dr. Destina Wahyu Winarti, underscored the theme’s relevance in light of global educational trends. “Assessment plays a significant role in measuring students’ learning performance and guiding educational decisions,” Dr. Winarti noted. “But equity ensures that all students—regardless of background—have access to the resources they need to succeed.”
She reported that after a rigorous peer-review process involving two external reviewers per submission, 54 papers were accepted and presented over the course of the conference. These contributions will have the opportunity to be published in the Muslim Education Review.
The opening ceremony also featured an international cultural performance by UIII students, celebrating the university’s commitment to diversity, and concluded with the announcement of awards for best lecturer, best student writing, and best paper submission. With this, the Faculty of Education’s conference has clearly established itself not only as a site of rigorous academic exchange but also as a welcoming space for global collaboration, cultural dialogue, and educational innovation.
Teachers Teaching Themselves: Is It the End of Teacher’s Formal Development Program?
Teachers Teaching Themselves: Is It the End of Teachers' Formal Development Program?
April 24, 2025
Contributor: Virda Lalitya Umam | Editor: Supriyono | Photo: Afra Fahira
In a time when conventional professional development programs often fall out of sync with digital transformation, Indonesian teachers are finding a new way in improving their competencies—through their smartphones. This was the key insight imparted by Dr. Teguh Khaerudin at the 39th Lunch Talk hosted online by the UIII Faculty of Education on March 25, 2025.
Under the title "Empowering EFL Teachers: How Emerging Technologies Drive Informal Learning," the UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta lecturer gave insights into how informal learning is shifting and reshaping the professional development journey of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers in Indonesia.
The insight was drawn from a qualitative case study—part of his PhD research project, sampling eight Indonesian EFL teachers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, Dr. Khaerudin's research aimed to uncover how teachers utilize informal digital learning to integrate technology into their teaching practices.
However, the findings revealed a broader narrative: ‘digital content platforms, social media groups, and online webinars emerged as the primary sources of professional learning for these teachers’. These tools, he said, helped them overcome challenges posed by geography, lack of institutional support, and even poor internet access.
Among the platforms used, WhatsApp and YouTube stood out as some of the most impactful. WhatsApp facilitated peer consultations and brought together teaching communities—playing a pivotal role in building networks, especially in rural regions. Teachers connected through group chats to exchange lesson plans, troubleshoot technical problems, and share resources during lockdowns.
YouTube, on the other hand, was the go-to for step-by-step learning. Teachers didn't just to learn how to use educational software but also to explore new pedagogical techniques, design engaging materials, and even create their own instructional videos.
As such, these learning strategies cover a broad area, which Dr. Khaerudin categorized as collaborative and independent Informal Teacher Learning (ITL). However, a critical question emerged: Can such informal learning initiatives replace the formal professional development (PD) program? Despite their significance, Dr. Khaerudin argued that ITL is not a substitute for formal professional development (PD), but rather a valuable complement to it.
“While many formal PD programs are rigid, overly broad, and one-size-fits-all, Informal Teacher Learning (ITL) is self-paced, responsive to needs, and tailored to each teacher's environment,” Dr. Khaerudin said. “Informal learning fills the gap between training and practice, allowing educators to adapt quickly, explore new ideas, and reflect on what works.”
Hence, Dr. Khaerudin highlighted the significant implications of ITL, urging the stakeholders to integrate them into formal professional development frameworks, invest in adequate digital infrastructure, support teacher-led communities, and foster a learning culture for educators and learners alike. He also called for further research into how digital tools can be optimized for sustainable, high-quality learning.
He, though, warned that digital platforms are not absent from challenges. Issues such as misinformation and content overload can hinder the learning process, which in turn emphasizes the need for digital literacy and critical evaluation skills.
Dr. Khaerudin’s suggestions resonate deeply with UIII’s mission to foster educational advancement through cutting-edge research and technological innovation. By promoting adaptive, self-directed learning models and encouraging the use of emerging digital tools, his suggestions mirror UIII’s commitment to empowering educators and learners alike in navigating the evolving landscape of 21st-century education.
Kindergarten in Lockdown: How Do Leaders Kept Learning Alive?
Kindergarten in Lockdown: How Do Leaders Kept Learning Alive?
April 8, 2025
Contributor: Virda Lalitya Umam | Editor: Supriyono | Photo: Nurul Fatimah
Continuing its commitment to fostering scholarly discussions, the Faculty of Education at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) hosted its 38th LunchTalk on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. This session featured Yohan Rubiyantoro, Ph.D. from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, who presented his research on how kindergarten leaders adapted to the unprecedented challenges of distance learning during the COVID-19 crisis.
In his presentation, titled ‘Case Studies of School Resilience: Kindergarten Leadership During Crisis’, Dr. Rubiyantoro highlighted the pivotal role of early childhood education leaders in ensuring learning continuity amid disruptions. He began by outlining Indonesia’s education system, emphasizing the structured yet decentralized framework that places school principals at the forefront of crisis management.
Dr. Rubiyantoro’s study focused on four public kindergartens across different regions of Indonesia, examining how school leaders, teachers, and parents navigated the abrupt shift to remote learning from September to December 2021. The findings underscored significant challenges, including limited digital literacy among teachers and students, inadequate ICT infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities affecting access to online education.
The study revealed varied responses across regions. In eastern Indonesia, many kindergartens struggled with poor internet connectivity and teachers unfamiliar with digital tools, making distance learning nearly impossible. In contrast, some schools in western Indonesia discreetly continued in-person learning, citing concerns over young children’s ability to engage with virtual lessons.
In Jakarta, rapid adaptation was evident as teachers were trained to use digital platforms and create engaging video lessons. Meanwhile, in central Indonesia, schools leaned on strong community support, collaborating with parents to develop alternative learning strategies, including home-based activities and shared educational resources.
Dr. Rubiyantoro emphasized that the success of kindergarten leaders during this crisis hinged on their ability to adapt, communicate effectively with teachers and parents, and embrace digital learning. He advocated for improved crisis management training and investment in ICT infrastructure to better equip schools for future disruptions.
As Indonesia advances in digital transformation, Dr. Rubiyantoro’s insights underscore the importance of resilient and innovative leadership in early childhood education. Through this LunchTalk session, UIII’s Faculty of Education reaffirms its dedication to preparing future educational leaders to navigate uncertainties and shape a more inclusive and adaptable learning landscape.
Grit, Innovation, and Adaptation: Key Themes in FoE’s 3rd Graduate Forum for Education Future
Grit, Innovation, and Adaptation: Key Themes in FoE’s 3rd Graduate Forum for Education Future
March 24, 2025
Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Virda Lalitya Umam
The Faculty of Education (FoE) at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) has successfully hosted its 3rd Graduate Forum & Colloquium on March 18-19, 2025, at the UIII Campus in Depok, West Java. Themed "Education for the Future: Adaptation, Innovation, and Grit in a Globalized World," the event convenes graduate students to explore the dynamic evolution of education.
In her opening address, Assoc. Prof. Charyna Ayu Rizkyanti underscored the forum's relevance, stating, "talking about the future—who can truly predict it? We’re witnessing the world changing very fast. However, if there’s one thing that we know for sure, education will always be at the heart of how we navigate this uncertain future,” she said.
She emphasized the indispensable role of adaptation, innovation, and grit in modern education, explaining that adaptation ensures survival, innovation drives progress, and grit fortifies resilience in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, Prof. Nina Nurmila, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UIII, highlighted the forum's function in equipping the students for academic dissemination. She remarked, "This serves as a vital rehearsal for you—to present your research and articulate your ideas to a broader academic audience." Prof. Nurmila also emphasized the significance of timely study completion and scholarly productivity, urging students to remain diligent in their academic publications and maintain the tradition of graduating together onetime.
The forum featured two distinguished keynote speakers. On the first day, Prof. Corina D. Riantoputra, a psychology lecturer from the University of Indonesia, explored the primary theme, "Education for the Future: Adaptation, Innovation, and Grit in a Globalized World." On the second day, Aria Nakissa, Ph.D., from UIII's Faculty of Islamic Studies, presented "Study Completion and Productive Publication," aiming to inspire students and faculty members to achieve timely graduation and maintain a robust academic publication record.
Organized by the Education Student Association (ESTUDIA), the forum also marked the inauguration of ESTUDIA’s new leadership cabinet, with Mukhamad Imron Rosadi, an MA in Education student from batch 4, assuming the role of president.
The 3rd Graduate Forum & Colloquium serves as a dynamic platform for participants to engage in intellectual discourse, exchange insights, and challenge prevailing perspectives, embodying the ethos of shaping the future of education in an era of rapid transformation.
Revolutionizing Learning: Indonesia’s Bold Step Towards High-Order Thinking
Revolutionizing Learning: Indonesia’s Bold Step Towards High-Order Thinking
Contributor: Virda Lalitya Umam
In the recent aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia’s education system is once again put to the test. Findings in Indonesia’s 2022 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) result indicate that less than 1% of Indonesia’s students are capable of answering high-order thinking skill (HOTS) questions. Addressing these concerns, Gogot Suharwoto, M.Ed., Ph.D., Director General of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Secondary Education at the Ministry of Primary Education and Secondary Education asserts the need for a revolutionary approach to educational reform.
At a semester preparation workshop held by the UIII Faculty of Education on February 19, 2025, Dr. Suharwoto explores the concept of deep learning and its implementation in Indonesian education. Alongside the worrying literacy and numeracy levels of Indonesian students, persisting educational inequality exists that the looming 2045 demographic bonus could potentially worsen. In response to these dire issues, the government formulated an approach coined as Pembelajaran Mendalam (PM)—an Indonesian take on deep learning.
PM is an approach that aims to honor knowledge, students, and teachers. PM emphasizes a learning atmosphere and process that is mindful, meaningful, and joyful through holistic and integrated cultivating of ethics (olah hati), literacy (olah pikir), aesthetics (olah karsa), dan kinesthetics (olah raga). PM is not considered a standalone curriculum in itself—it complements educational approaches by adding characteristics of pedagogical practices. Moreover, although pembelajaran mendalam is a direct translation of the term “deep learning,” Dr. Suharwoto advises the audience not to use the two interchangeably, as PM is an official, technical term unique to Indonesia, as opposed to deep learning still being a concept with broad interpretations.
The PM framework is built on four pillars. Firstly, eight core characteristics that are instilled within students. Second, learning principles of PM, being mindful, meaningful, and joyful. Third, learning experiences that students should undergo, from understanding and applying to reflecting. Lastly, pedagogical practices, learning partnerships, learning environments, and digital utilization as a learning framework for instructional designs.
Dr. Suharwoto then explains that transforming educators’ roles would also be imperative to the projected implementation of PM. The current paradigm is still top-down, with the central government formulating policies to be adapted by local governments, adopted by school principals, and implemented by teachers. The stance taken by PM is that educational policies should be more centralized on the teachers since they observe the real-time implementation of such policies on a micro-scale. Recommendations from teachers would be submitted to the school principal and then forwarded to local and central governments, respectively. This format also places educators not just as mere educators but also as activators, collaborators, and cultivators of learning culture.
Although a structured learning approach might seem overly complicated for young children, Dr. Suharwoto states that with appropriate methods, PM can be implemented from an early age. For example, in early childhood education (i.e. PAUD in Indonesia), PM can take form in hands-on, play-based learning experiences, transitioning into various interdisciplinary connections that become increasingly advanced as students age. It is also worth noting that the implementation of PM is not exclusive to conventional schools, as it can be tailored for vocational studies as well as special needs education.
By creating dynamic and inclusive education, Pembelajaran Mendalam aims to equip students with the 21st-century skills necessary to traverse an uncertain future. The topic presented by Dr. Suharwoto also strikes a resemblance to a past seminar at the Faculty of Education, which featured Dr. Berry Juliandi, M.Si of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. Both speakers share the same sentiment—a transformational stance in Indonesia’s education is urgently needed for the future. Through this workshop, the Faculty of Education affirms its commitment to providing educators and students alike with innovative teaching strategies and inclusive learning environments.