Digital learning hubs
JOMSTUDI OFFERS BETTER ACCESS TO MATERIALS
IN the one-month pilot phase of the digital learning hub JomStudi at Bukit Payong Internet Centre in Kedah, Nurul Awathif Nordin, 11, diligently reads the notes provided on Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) exam topics and attempts the exercises found on the platform set up for underserved communities where access to tuition centres and learning resources may be limited.
JomStudi promotes self-learning and helps to develop students’ technological and digital skills. To motivate students to learn using the platform, JomStudi incorporates gamification elements to make the experience fun. This includes reward badges for completing an assignment as well as a personalised dashboard to track progress and development.
The online JomStudi platform is a joint effort by Media Prima Bhd, Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (Astro) and Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (Digi) and is supported by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Nurul Awathif said: “I find JomStudi fun and easy to use because I am able to study using the notes and do examination exercises available on the platform. It also helps me keep track of my studies. I only use JomStudi whenever I visit the Internet centre, since I do not have a laptop or Internet access at home.”
Thepilotphasealsosawsome1,400students of all levels from all over the country accessing the platform at select 1Malaysia Internet Centres operated by MCMC and equipped with desktop computers, printer, projector, screen, as well as basic Internet access.
Azuan Shaari who is the manager at Tendong Internet Centre in Melaka said: “I can see that students enjoy using the platform to study. Some of them told me that the content helped them to better understand the subjects.
“I strongly feel that learning digitally is a great way to revise lessons as the platform allows students to study in a fun and interactive way.
“It also allows parents to be aware of what their children are learning, enabling them to guide their offspring in the lessons as the resources are easily accessible regardless of location,” he added.
Hosted and managed by Digi, JomStudi provides easy access to quality education content that follows the syllabus format set by the Education Ministry. Resources include Astro Tutor TV interactive-rich video-based resources and Media Prima’s FullAMark, an online learning portal that enables students to access revision exercises based on the subjects for Year Five, UPSR, Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.
Siti Nur Syahirah Mohamad, 17, who frequents Tendong Internet Centre, said that she would recommend JomStudi to her friends.
“I like that it allows me to study anywhere using my phone or tablet. The videos also make the content easier to understand and the platform has helped me to learn more in addition to my lessons in school.
“I watch the lessons together with my friends and we discuss and exchange notes after that,” she added.
At Taman Sentosa Internet Centre in Negeri Sembilan, Muhammad Asyraf Amanaullah Safar, also 17, said: “I like JomStudi because digital learning allows me to keep up with the latest digital and technology trends. The video-based lessons help me to understand the content better and I have better focus. I like the additional content such as videos on robotics.”
He added that the subjects featured in JomStudi complement what he learns in school and he can revise his lessons wherever he goes.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo lauded the initiative at the launch of JomStudi at the Internet Centre in Kampung Kering, Labu, saying that it is important for the younger generation to start building digital skills and ensure that they have an appetite for lifelong learning to thrive in the future workforce.
“As mobile-first digital natives, schoolchildren and youths today seek out on-demand information and learn online on their mobile devices. However, not everyone has equal access to technology, leaving an inequality gap that we must address.
“JomStudi is a big step forward as it enables students to benefit from the power of the Internet through affordable, mobile-first access to information beyond the classroom anytime, anywhere,” he added.
Also present at the launch were Media Prima group managing director Datuk Kamal Khalid, MCMC chairman Al-Ishsal Ishak, Labu State Assemblyman Ismail Ahmad, Astro chief executive officer Henry Tan, Digi chief executive officer Albern Murty and MDEC vice-president of talent and digital entrepreneurship Sumitra Nair.
In addition to self-access learning material, students will have access to digital content from the #mydigitalmaker movement such as modules on coding, programming and other computational thinking competencies. An Internet safety and resilience module called Digi World will also be made available on JomStudi to ensure students are aware of the importance of staying safe online.
Other educational resources on technology, digital literacy as well as informal skills learning will also be made available on JomStudi through partnerships and other content providers in the near future.
Following the launch, Digi is offering its customers free access during the JomBelajar time period from 2pm to 8pm daily.
For details on the platform, visit www. jomstudi.com.my