Introduction
Kisi Cerita is a collaborative initiative aimed to address low literacy activity rates in Indonesia through involvement multiple societal stakeholders in creating an online library
My Role
For my master's thesis, I conducted a literature review, reviewed case studies, developed research questions, and brainstormed ideas. I managed the entire design process from beginning to end, created the design proposal, and validated it with experts in children's literature.
Timeline
Nov 23, 2023 - May 3, 2024
Tools
Figma, Miro
Problem
Literacy efforts in Indonesia are facing regional challenges, with notable deficiencies in certain provinces like Papua
Despite 82% of provinces
across Indonesia showing
medium literacy
activities, there
remains a significant
shortage of libraries,
with 56.39% more needed
to meet the
institutional count. The
National Alibaca Index
by Dimension reveals
that the average
National Alibaca Index
falls into the low
literacy activity
category at 37.32. Out
of the four dimensions,
the access dimension is
the lowest, at
23.09.
The
urgency of addressing
the literacy problem in
Indonesia is clear.
Limited access to books
and a lack of robust
literacy infrastructure
are significant barriers
to achieving national
goals.
Problem
Literacy efforts in Indonesia are facing regional challenges, with notable deficiencies in certain provinces like Papua
With an estimated 209.3
million active users in
2023, projected to reach
275.9 million by 2029, a
significant portion of
Indonesia's population
relies increasingly on
mobile phones for
communication, information
access, and entertainment.
Indonesians spend an average
of 6.05 hours daily on their
mobile devices, with
video-sharing social
platforms like Vidio and
TikTok leading the way,
generating $80 million in
revenue in 2023. This
underscores the widespread
popularity of social
interaction and on-the-go
entertainment.
Indonesia's
mobile internet landscape
reflects a nation embracing
the power and convenience of
smartphones, with a growing
user base deeply engaged
with their devices. As the
landscape evolves, the
future holds immense
potential, driven by a
population eager to embrace
the latest applications and
experiences.
Case Study
Various approaches have been attempted to improve literacy access in remote areas
Moving libraries bridge the gap in access for remote and rural areas lacking traditional facilities, such as custom trucks in Yogyakarta and boats (Perahu Pustaka) navigating Indonesia's rivers in West Sulawesi to reach even the most isolated communities.
Pojok Baca Digital (POCADI)
POCADI installs digital library kiosks with computers, tablets, or touchscreens loaded with digital books, educational materials, and multimedia resources in central village locations and community halls.
Rumah Dunia / Gola Gong
Rumah Dunia offers a variety of programs throughout the week for the children to attend like storytelling session, drawing classes, and creative writing workshop.
Key Takeaways
Multiple strategies have been undertaken to address limited access to remote areas, each with its own challenges. Initiatives like establishing kiosks require regular maintenance, while programs like Rumah Dunia involve dedicated staff and educators, adding operational complexities. Moving libraries face logistical hurdles such as transportation costs and infrastructure limitations. Centralizing these efforts through digital technologies enhances the efficiency and impact of existing initiatives, improving literacy access in even the most remote areas of Indonesia.
Hypothesis
By implementing a community-based online library platform, there will be enhanced community participation in literacy promotion initiatives that lead to increased literacy activities and greater access to educational resources for Indonesian children.
Target Groups
Who are the
Stakeholders?
Building literacy in Indonesia requires the participation of various stakeholders. Each role in society plays a crucial part in this mission. Understanding their importance and knowing how to contribute will empower everyone to collaboratively enhance literacy across the nation.
How can a community-based online library promote literacy and facilitate easier access to reading materials for Indonesian children?
Proposed Solution
Kisi Cerita Website connects people and makes the program more accessible
A clean, captivating site with comprehensive information for collaborators to promote literacy activities and engage communities, designed with these objectives in mind.
Extending the reachability of reading materials for underserved communities
Strengthening of community partnerships and collaborative efforts in education
Long-term benefits for educational equity and social development
Design Framework
A unified framework for cohesive execution across all project aspects
Examining the framework, it starts with identifying user needs and understanding platform functionality for accessing storybooks. Next, platform access ensures all materials are accessible online to everyone. Effective application ties to value creation by meeting user needs. The "Create" stage enables users to become contributors, fostering collaboration between organizations and creators. Participation involves diverse communication and engagement, including content sharing and event participation. Evaluation is crucial, using usability assessments to gauge platform effectiveness and understanding data collection and feedback management to assess literacy levels.
Project Lifecycle Stages
Ensuring an efficient workflow for stakeholders from start to finish
Given the cross-functional collaboration integral to this project, the flow below visualizes the interactions and tasks associated with each role throughout the project. This will guide a clear understanding of how different stakeholders contribute and interact with the platform at various stages, facilitating effective coordination and communication.
Sitemap
Structuring content layout and hierarchy to ensure all key information is included on the site
The site map was used to organize the website's content, facilitating a clearer hierarchy and showing overall navigation.
Visual Identity
Crafting a memorable brand presence
This vibrant visual identity ensures our brand is engaging, recognizable, and appropriate for diverse audiences.
Design Outcomes
Homepage
Initial landing page that captures user attention and guides first impressions
This page is designed to quickly capture the user's attention. An overview of the project provides users with a clear understanding of the project's purpose before they dive deeper. The most relevant content is prioritized first, guiding users to less critical information as they scroll down.
Collaborators
Comprehensive information on collaboration roles and regular events
We provides detailed information about how various roles can contribute to the project. Whether you are a creator, influencer, or parent, you will find specific guidelines on how to engage and support the initiative. Additionally, this page features regular giveaways and events that everyone can participate in, fostering a sense of community, encouraging active involvement, and building a robust network of collaborators.
About
Origin and mission of the project
This page explains the inception of the project, outlining the motivations and objectives that led to its creation. The mission of the project is clearly articulated, emphasizing the commitment to promoting literacy and fostering a love of reading among children.
Contact
Connect with us
We value every piece of feedback from our users as it helps us improve and tailor our program to better serve the community. This page invites individuals and organizations to reach out with their thoughts, suggestions, and inquiries. A provided form makes it easy for organizations to inquire about collaborations or support.
Project Feasibility
Four key themes generated as insights into the feasibility of Kisi Cerita
The qualitative descriptive study employed semi-structured online interviews to gather rich, detailed information about personal experiences, perspectives, emotions, and knowledge. Through these interviews, we aimed to assess the feasibility of the Kisi Cerita project by exploring various aspects of literacy promotion and identifying the key themes that emerged from the participants' responses. These themes offer valuable guidance for the project's implementation and highlight the challenges and opportunities present in the Indonesian literacy landscape.
01
Limited Library Access as an Issue for Indonesia
Participants admitted that access to reading materials is still limited and difficult to reach. They emphasized that the challenge goes beyond simply having access to also ensuring that access is sustainable. One expert explained:
“When we look at the bigger picture, promoting a healthy book industry in Indonesia while encouraging a love for reading requires addressing the issue of access. Although access options exist, the real challenge lies in encouraging people to use these resources consistently. Merely having access isn't enough; it's essential to utilize it to its fullest extent to ensure maximum benefit.”
The organization believes that providing access isn't enough; individuals must be taught to use it effectively. It's not just about offering digital books but also about teaching how to communicate those stories, starting with teachers. Since children spend most of their time at school, teachers play a crucial role in instilling a love for books by leading by example.
02
Positive Learning Environment
While describing the connection between the environment and the community, one expert pointed out:
“Creating a community that fosters a love for reading could positively impact the environment. Early exposure to reading, supported by the right environment, is important. From a young age, children are often pressured to study, equating learning with textbooks. Games are seen as entertainment, while reading is perceived as a chore. Peer pressure might influence children's reading habits if their friends share similar preferences.”
In addition to teachers, parents play a vital role in shaping children's education. As primary influences at home, parents significantly impact development. Experts note that parents often use videos to soothe tantrums instead of reading, likely due to a lack of awareness about the importance of reading for their children's growth.
03
Social Media and Partnerships Serve as a Boosting Mechanism for Outreach to Individuals
Strategic partnerships with established organizations are an integral part of the approach, leveraging their reputation to endorse initiatives seamlessly. An expert stated:
“You must select a reputable organization to partner with to enhance the credibility of your website. Collaborating with influencers serves as a potent tool for broadening the outreach of the literacy initiatives. Similarly, on social media, we employ the same approach. We always prioritize organic audience growth, avoiding the use of third-party methods or fake accounts to support our programs. If you observe our account with hundreds of thousands of followers, it's the result of organic growth through regular posts.”
In addition to real-world engagement, strategic utilization of social media platforms further amplifies reach and impact. Harnessing the power of social media extends digital footprints and builds meaningful connections and interactions, advancing the mission to promote literacy access and engagement.
04
Community-Based Online Library as a Solution
In discussing the solution, an expert commented:
“It’s a great idea; I think it’s a valuable addition to the diverse ways the literacy community can access information and reading materials. The most important aspect is how it can provide long-term value to the community through a purely non-profit model. There could be potential future funding opportunities through investors interested in this program. In terms of website navigation ease, I appreciate its simplicity.”
As the content library grows, it's important to organize information clearly. Implement clear labeling and state that contributions are voluntary to avoid misunderstandings. Additionally, diversify the creator pool to include copywriters, which could enable new features like forums and blogs to enhance user experience.