Digital Learning Communication to Preserving Javanese: The Role of Digital Media in Education of Local Language in High Schools, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Article Number: e2025287 | Available Online: June 2025 | DOI: 10.22521/edupij.2025.16.287
Astri Wulandari , Deddy Mulyana , Purwanti Hadisiwi , Edwin Rizal
Full text PDF |
2760 |
1892
Abstract
|
Background/purpose. Indonesia has more than 1,300 ethnic groups and 652 active local languages. Javanese, the most widely spoken regional language, is experiencing a decline among younger generations who increasingly prefer using Indonesian for daily communication. While traditionally transmitted within families and local communities, educational institutions play a crucial role in preserving Javanese through formal curriculum integration. This paper aims to explore how digital learning communication platforms contribute to preserving Javanese language skills among students in Yogyakarta. Materials/methods. The study analyzed the integration and utilization of digital platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube, and Google Meet in the context of classroom interactions and extracurricular activities involving students and teachers in Yogyakarta. Data collection involved qualitative analysis through classroom observations and digital content analysis, focusing on interactions facilitated by digital media in learning Javanese as a heritage language. Results. The study found that incorporating digital applications significantly enhanced the learning and communication of the Javanese language. WhatsApp effectively supported both synchronous and asynchronous communication, allowing continuous language learning interactions beyond the formal classroom schedule. Meanwhile, YouTube provided a creative space where educational materials and collaborative learning resources could be developed, shared, and accessed flexibly by students. Additionally, Google Meet facilitated interactive virtual sessions that reduced physical communication barriers, enabling consistent engagement and practice of Javanese skills. |
Conclusion. The integration of digital media in Javanese language education positively impacts language preservation among younger generations. Digital platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube, and Google Meet effectively mitigate barriers to traditional communication, fostering enhanced student participation, interaction, and ongoing language acquisition. These platforms provide a promising approach for maintaining Javanese as a vibrant heritage language amidst shifts in youth linguistic behavior.
Keywords: Digital learning; Javanese; local language; mediated communication, social media
ReferencesAgustini, D. (2022). Effective Communication and Exemplary as Educational Tools for Inheritance Javanese “Tepa Slira” and “Empan Papan” Culture in Children. Titian; Jurnal Ilmu Humaniora, 06(2). https://doi.org/10.22437/titian.v6i2.22162
Ahmad, M. S., Nawaz, S., Khan, S., & Bukhari, Z. (2023). Digital Pakistan in COVID-19 : rethinking language use at social media platforms. Frontiers in Education, 8(May), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.967148
Androutsopoulos, J., & Lexander, K. V. (2021). Digital polycentricity and diasporic connectivity : A Norwegian-Senegalese case study. June, 720–736. https://doi.org/10.1111/josl.12518
Andriyanti, E. (2019). Language shift among Javanese youth and their perception of local and national identities. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 19(3), 309-324. https://doi.org/10.17576/gema-2019-1903-07
Anil Kumar, K., Natarajan, S., & Acharaya, B. (2017). Computer Mediated Communication: A Pathway to Analyze Social Media Communication Trajectories. Man in India, 97(4), 195–205. https://serialsjournals.com/index.php?route=product/product/volumearticle&issue_id=371&product_id=366
Annamalai, N., Alsalhi, N. R., Eltahir, M. E., Zakarneh, B. M., Yunus, K., & Zyoud, S. H. (2025). A Qualitative Investigation of WhatsApp Interaction for English Language Grammar Learning. SAGE Open, 15(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251315528
Astuti, F. (2021). Exploring Local Wisdom from Youtube: An Investigation On The Indonesian Higher Education Students’ Dance Performance Across Gender. Cakrawala Pendidikan, 40(1), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v40i1.32426
Barlis, J. M., Fajardo, J. D., & Manila, B. M. (2023). The Evolution of Science Education : You Don ’ t Know ? YouTube It. SAGE Open, June, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231168778
Bartholomew, S. R., & Reeve, E. (2018). Middle school student perceptions and actual use of mobile devices: Highlighting disconnects in student planned and actual usage of mobile devices in class. Educational Technology and Society, 21(1), 48–58. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30191/ETS.201801_21(1).0005
Bergmann, J., & Sams, A. (2012). Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day. International Society for Technology in Education.
Boerman, S. C., & van Reijmersdal, E. A. (2020). Disclosing Influencer Marketing on YouTube to Children : The Moderating Role of Para-Social Relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(January), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03042
Burston, J. (2014). MALL: The Pedagogical challenges techies just don’t get. CALICO Journal, 31(1), 2-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2014.914539
Chin, J. M. C., Ching, G. S., Del Castillo, F., Wen, T. H., Huang, Y. C., Del Castillo, C. D., Gungon, J. L., & Trajera, S. M. (2022). Perspectives on the Barriers to and Needs of Teachers’ Professional Development in the Philippines during COVID-19. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010470
Costa-Sánchez, C., & Guerrero-Pico, M. (2020). What Is WhatsApp for? Developing Transmedia Skills and Informal Learning Strategies Through the Use of WhatsApp—A Case Study With Teenagers From Spain. Social Media and Society, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305120942886
Costa, E., Esteve-Del-Valle, M., & Hagedoorn, B. (2022). Scalable Co-presence: WhatsApp and the Mediation of Personal Relationships during the COVID-19 Lockdown. Social Media and Society, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211069053
Creswell, J. W. (2016). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Aproaches. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849208956
Crystal, D. (2014). Language Death. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511622868
Dumitrescu, V. M. (2014). Effective Web 2.0 Technologies for Second Langauge Teaching and Learning. International Scientific Conference ELearning and Software for Education, 148–153. https://doi.org/10.12753/2066-026X-14-163
Elmhirst, R. (2000). A Javanese Diaspora? Gender and identity politics in Indonesia’s transmigration resettlement program. Women’s Studies International Forum, 23(4), 487–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5395(00)00108-4
Favotto, L., Michaelson, V., & Davison, C. (2017). Perceptions of the influence of computer-mediated communication on the health and well-being of early adolescents. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2017.1335575
Geertz, C. (2014). Agama Jawa; Abangan, Santri, Priyayi dalam Kebudayaan Jawa. Komunitas Bambu.
Glimäng, M. R., & Sauro, S. (2024). Fostering glocal intercultural awareness through virtual exchange in TESOL teacher education. TESOL Journal, 15(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.867
Greeves, S., & Oz, M. (2024). YouTube in higher education : comparing student and instructor perceptions and practices. Frontiers in Education, January, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1330405
Grek, S. (2008). From symbols to numbers: The shifting technologies of education governance in Europe. European Educational Research Journal, 7(2), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.2304/eerj.2008.7.2.208
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M. A., & Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review. Sustainable Operations and Computers, 3(February), 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.05.004
Huang, Y., Lin, M., & Liu, X. (2024). Digital media and interactive E-learning application in art teaching process based on big data platform. Entertainment Computing, 51, 100737. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2024.100737
Ismailov, M. (2021). Virtual exchanges in an inquiry-based learning environment: Effects on intra-cultural awareness and intercultural communicative competence. Cogent Education, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2021.1982601
Iwatani, S., & Watamura, E. (2021). Attribution and reputation estimation errors among mobile phone users regarding neglecting messages in computer-mediated communications. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 4, 100138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100138
Kibirige, I., & Odora, R. J. (2021). Exploring the effects of YouTube on technology education students’ cognitive achievement in a mechanical system module. Perspectives in Education, 39(3), 94–108. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/2519593X/pie.v39.i3.8
Ko, C. J. (2012). Can synchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC) help beginning-level foreign language learners speak? Computer Assisted Language Learning, 25(3), 217–236. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2011.649483
Kruse, N. B., & Veblen, K. K. (2012). Music teaching and learning online: Considering YouTube instructional videos. Journal of Music, Technology and Education, 5(1), 77–87. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1386/jmte.5.1.77_1
Lee, J., & Abidin, C. (2022). Oegugin Influencers and pop nationalism through government campaigns: Regulating foreign-nationals in the South Korean YouTube ecology. Policy and Internet, 14(3), 541–557. https://doi.org/10.1002/poi3.319
Liang, Y. J., & Walther, J. B. (2015). Computer Mediated Communication. In International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences: Second Edition. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.95090-6
Liaw, E. C. (2017). Application of computer-mediated communication on teacher efficacy during school-based field experience. Teaching and Teacher Education, 65, 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2017.03.002
Lindemann, G., & Schünemann, D. (2020). Presence in Digital Spaces. A Phenomenological Concept of Presence in Mediatized Communication. Human Studies, 43(4), 627–651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10746-020-09567-y
Ma, Q., Yuan, R., Cheung, L. M. E., & Yang, J. (2024). Teacher paths for developing corpus-based language pedagogy: a case study. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 37(3), 461–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2022.2040537
Mannahali, M., Angreany, F., & Rosmaladewi, R. (2024). Improving German Speaking through YouTube Media in Higher Education. International Journal of Language Education, 8(2), 407–418. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v8i2.65001
Mardiana, S., Suminar, J. R., Sugiana, D., & Suwatno, S. (2019). Measuring Digital Literacy of Students with Visual Impairments. DigitalCommons @ University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 43(12), 2–14. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/3807/
Mechlova, E., & Malcik, M. (2012). ICT in changes of learning theories. 2012 IEEE 10th International Conference on Emerging ELearning Technologies and Applications (ICETA), 253–262. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICETA.2012.6418326
Meier, A., & Reinecke, L. (2021). Computer-Mediated Communication, Social Media, and Mental Health: A Conceptual and Empirical Meta-Review. Communication Research, 48(8), 1182–1209. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650220958224
Milakovich, M., & Wise, J.-M. (2019). Digital Learning. Digital Learning. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788979467
Noveintine, D. K. (2024). Javanese language shift to Indonesian among young people in Sleman, Yogyakarta. ULIL ALBAB: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 4(2), 464-478. https://doi.org/10.56799/jim.v4i2.6729
Nugroho, C. (2020). Cyber Society ; Teknologi, Media Baru dan Disrupsi Informasi. Kencana Prenada Media Group.
Nugroho, C., & Nasionalita, K. (2020). Indeks Literasi Digital Remaja di Indonesia. Journal Pekommas, 5(2), 215. https://doi.org/10.30818/jpkm.2020.2050210
Nugroho, C., Nurhayati, I. K., Nasionalita, K., & Malau, R. M. U. (2020). Weaving and Cultural Identity of Batak Toba Women. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 1, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909620958032
Oztok, M., Zingaro, D., Brett, C., & Hewitt, J. (2013). Exploring asynchronous and synchronous tool use in online courses. Computers and Education, 60(1), 87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.08.007
Park, S. (2016). Chapter 10 - Virtual Avatar as an Emotional Scaffolding Strategy to Promote Interest in Online Learning Environment. In S. Y. Tettegah & M. B. T.-E. Gartmeier Technology, Design, and Learning (Eds.), Emotions and Technology (pp. 201–224). Academic Press. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801856-9.00010-4
Poedjosoedarmo, S., Kundjana, T., Soepomo, G., & Suharso, A. (2013). Tingkat Tutur Bahasa Jawa. Balai Bahasa Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.
Said, F. F. S. (2021). ‘Ba-SKY-aP with her each day at dinner’: technology as supporter in the learning and management of home languages. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 42(8), 747–762. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2021.1924755
Santoso, B. (2017). Bahasa Dan Identitas Budaya. Sabda : Jurnal Kajian Kebudayaan, 1(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.14710/sabda.v1i1.13266
Setiawan, A., Ma’arif, S., Haryatmi, D., & Silaban, R. S. (2025). Enhancing Javanese language proficiency in elementary students through video game-based learning platforms. AIP Conference Proceeding, 3142(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0262759
Smith-Hefner, N. J. (2009). Language shift, gender, and ideologies of modernity in Central Java, Indonesia. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology, 19(1), 57-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1548-1395.2009.01019.x
Spires, H. A. (2019). Critical perspectives on digital literacies: Creating a path forward. Media and Communication, 7(2 Critical Perspectives), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v7i2.2209
Spitzberg, B. H. (2006). Preliminary development of a model and measure of computer-mediated communication (CMC) competence. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11(2), 629–666. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00030.x
Suharyo, S., & Nurhayati, N. (2020). Pemilihan Dan Pemertahanan Bahasa Jawa Pada Kaum Perempuan Pesisir Rembang. Litera, 19(3), 397–413. https://doi.org/10.21831/ltr.v19i3.28699
Suparta, H. (2017). Pengikisan Bahasa Dalam Masyarakat Jawa; Catatan tentang Proses Kepunahan Bahasa Jawa. Sabda : Jurnal Kajian Kebudayaan, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.14710/sabda.v10i2.13284
Uludağ, O. (2024). Exploring the relationship between teachers’ beliefs and practices of oral corrective feedback in synchronous computer-mediated communication. Heliyon, 10(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29507
UNESCO. (2021). Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger (4th ed). United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
Yamada, M., & Akahori, K. (2007). Social presence in synchronous CMC-based language learning: How does it affect the productive performance and consciousness of learning objectives? Computer Assisted Language Learning, 20(1), 37–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588220601118503
Yang, Y. (2024). Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences Innovative Strategies for Language Education in the Context of Media Convergence -. 9(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.2478/amns-2024-2379
Yao, J., Han, X., Qiu, X., Pi, W., Wang, A., Meng, X., & Wei, L. (2023). “Keeping up with the times”. Core competencies of excellent primary and secondary school teachers in the internet plus era: a qualitative study on teacher education in China. Teaching and Teacher Education, 126, 104074. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104074
Yin, R. K. (2003). Case Study Research Design and Methods (pp. 1–181). Sage Publication.
Yousefikhah, S. (2017). Sociology of Innovation: Social Construction of Technology Perspective. AD-Minister, June, 31–43. https://doi.org/10.17230/ad-minister.30.2
Youssef, E., & Malek, M. A. (2024). Investigating The Impact Of Social Media Platforms Use Among Children On Formal and Informal Learning : From The Uses and Gratifications Theory Perspective. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development 8(2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i1.3026