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Tech-Savvy Educators: UHW Perbanas Encourages Early Childhood Teachers in Surabaya to Embrace AI

Monday, 07 July 2025 View: 36

Dozens of Early Childhood Education (PAUD) teachers enthusiastically participated in a training session focused on developing learning materials using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media. They felt supported and gained new insights, as their learning activities at the Integrated PAUD Centers (PPT) became more effective with the aid of user-friendly technology.

One of the participants, Sri Wilujeng, shared that she learned many things related to social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Line, and Facebook. “In terms of learning tools, we gained knowledge on how to use Canva and how to operate ChatGPT,” said the teacher from PPT Kemuning, Kapasari Subdistrict, on Monday (July 7).

A similar sentiment was expressed by Ita Musayanah, Head of the Integrated PAUD Centers Working Group (K3PPT) in Genteng District. She noted that the training was especially valuable, considering many PAUD teachers are not very young. “This training enriches the skills of PAUD teachers, enabling them to better deliver learning materials to children and keep up with today’s digital era,” said the teacher from PPT Flamboyan.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Program Team from Hayam Wuruk Perbanas University, Sinaring Ari Laga, S.Kom., M.MT., explained that the initiative was specifically designed for PAUD teachers in Genteng District, Surabaya. A total of 22 PPTs participated in a series of training activities provided.

“The training covered the use of AI to develop Daily Learning Implementation Plans, Canva design for student worksheets, and digital marketing activities through social media. Many of the PAUD teachers have yet to fully leverage AI for designing social media content,” he explained during the training at Sahid Hotel Surabaya.

He added that the current promotion of PPT programs and facilities still largely relies on word of mouth. “We are also training them to create landing pages using Google Sites and how to set up and manage social media accounts—something that most PPTs don’t yet have,” he added.

He expressed hope that the training, organized by the UHW Perbanas lecturers, will significantly improve the quality of PAUD services in Genteng District. “With digital assistance, PAUD teachers will be able to attract students not only from their immediate surroundings but also from wider areas and neighboring subdistricts. Additionally, we hope this initiative helps teachers become more technologically literate,” he said.

It is worth noting that this program is supported by the government through the 2025 Community Empowerment Grant from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. The implementation team from UHW Perbanas includes Sinaring Ari Laga, S.Kom., M.MT., Ellen Theresia Sihotang, S.E., M.AB., and Denny Hermansyah, S.Kom., M.Kom. (eko/hms)