Meningkatkan Mutu Pendidikan Melalui E-Learning

A.     Abstrak

Sejalan dengan perkembangan ilmu dan teknologi terutama teknologi informasi, pemanfaatan internet dalam bidang pendidikan terus berkembang. Pemanfaatan internet ini tidak hanya untuk pendidikan jarak jauh, akan tetapi juga dikembangkan dalam sistem pendidikan konvensional. E-learning adalah suatu model pembelajaran yang dibuat dalam format digital melalui perangkat elektronik. Tujuan digunakannya e-learning dalam sistem pembelajaran adalah untuk memperluas akses pendidikan ke masyarakat luas.

B.     Pendahuluan

Ilmu dan teknologi terutama teknologi informasi berkembang sangat pesat yang berdampak pada berbagai perubahan sosial budaya. Contohnya ecommerce merupakan salah satu perubahan radikal dalam aspek ekonomi masyarakat modern saat ini. Di sektor pemerintahan ada e-government dan di sektor pendidikan sudah berkembang apa yang disebut e-learning.

Di Indonesia pemanfaatan teknologi internet dimulai sekitar tahun 1995 ketika IndoInternet membuka jasa layanan internet dan tahun 1997-an mulai berkembang pesat. Namun kini pemanfaatan teknologi ini masih didominasi oleh lembaga seperti perbankan, perdagangan, media massa, atau kalangan industri. Bila dilihat potensinya, dalam waktu mendatang mungkin saja lembaga pendidikan akan mendominasinya. Pemanfatan teknologi internet untuk pendidikan di Indonesia secara resmi dimulai sejak dibentuknya telematika tahun 1996.

Seiring perkembangan zaman, pemanfaatan internet untuk pendidikan di Indonesia khususnya di perguruan tinggi terus berkembang yang dipelopori oleh Institut Teknologi Bandung. Pemanfaatan internet untuk pendidikan ini tidak hanya untuk pendidikan jarak jauh, akan tetapi juga dikembangkan dalam sistem pendidikan konvensional. Kini sudah banyak lembaga pendidikan terutama perguruan tinggi yang sudah mulai merintis dan mengembangkan model pembelajaran berbasis internet dalam mendukung sistem pendidikan konvensional. Internet sebagai media baru belum memasyarakat. Demikian pula orang-orang yang terlibat dalam lembaga pendidikan belum terbiasa menggunakan internet.

Penyelenggaraan pendidikan nasional yang bersifat konvensional, mengalami banyak kendala ketika dituntut untuk memberikan pelayanannya bagi masyarakat luas yang tersebar di seluruh Nusantara. Kendala tersebut antara lain keterbatasan finansial, jauhnya lokasi, dan keterbatasan jumlah institusi. Saat ini telah berkembang teknologi informasi yang dapat dimanfaatan untuk mengatasi kendala tersebut. Sudah saatnya teknologi informasi dimanfaatkan secara optimal dalam penyelenggaraan pendidikan di Indonesia. Terlebih di masa depan pendidikan akan mengahadapi persaingan global yang sangat ketat. Agar dapat memenangkan ataupun dapat ikut bermain dalam dinamika global membutuhkan prasyarat kekuatan kepercayaan diri dan kemandirian.

Oleh karena itu artikel ini akan membahas tentang kemungkinan pengembangan mutu pendidikan melalui e-learning.

C.     Pengertian

Electronic learning kini semakin dikenal sebagai salah satu cara untuk mengatasi masalah pendidikan, baik di negara-negara maju maupun di negara yang sedang berkembang. Banyak orang menggunakan istilah yang berbeda-beda dengan e-learning, namun pada prinsipnya e-learning adalah pembelajaran yang menggunakan jasa elektronika sebagai alat bantunya. E-learning memang merupakan suatu teknologi pembelajaran yang yang relatif baru di Indonesia.

Untuk menyederhanakan istilah, maka electronic learning disingkat menjadi e-learning. Kata ini terdiri dari dua bagian, yaitu ‘e’ yang merupakan singkatan dari ‘electronica’ dan ‘learning’ yang berarti ‘pembelajaran’. Jadi e-learning berarti pembelajaran dengan menggunakan jasa bantuan perangkat elektronika. Jadi dalam pelaksanaannya e-learning menggunakan jasa audio, video atau perangkat komputer atau kombinasi dari ketiganya. Dengan kata lain e-learning adalah pembelajaran yang pelaksanaannya didukung oleh jasa teknologi seperti telepon, audio, vidiotape, transmisi satelite atau komputer. Banyak hal yang mendorong mengapa e-learning menjadi salah satu pilihan untuk peningkatan mutu pendidikan, antara lain pesatnya fasilitas teknologi informasi, dan perkembangan pengguna internet di dunia saat ini berkembang dengan cepat. Penggunaan internet menjadi suatu kebutuhan dalam mendukung pekerjaan atau tugas sehari-hari. Apalagi dengan tersedianya fasilitas jaringan (Internet infrastructure) dan koneksi internet (Internet Connections). Serta tersedianya piranti lunak pembelajaran (management course tools). Juga orang yang terampil mengoperasikan atau menggunakan internet semakin meningkat jumlahnya (Soekartawi, 2002).

D.     Pembahasan

1.      Internet Sebagai Media Pendidikan

Internet adalah jaringan komputer. Tetapi jaringan komputer belum tentu internet. Jaringan sekelompok komputer yang sifatnya terbatas disebut sebagai jaringan lokal (Local Area Network). Internet merupakan jaringan yang terdiri atas ribuan bahkan jutaan komputer, termasuk di dalamnya jaringan lokal, yang terhubungkan melalui saluran (satelit, telepon, kabel) dan jangkauanya mencakup seluruh dunia (Kamarga, 2002). Jaringan ini bukan merupakan suatu organisasi atau institusi, sifatnya bebas, karena itu tidak ada pihak yang mengatur dan memilikinya.

Internet memiliki banyak fasilitas yang telah digunakan dalam berbagai bidang, seperti militer, media massa, bisnis, dan juga untuk pendidikan. Fasilitas tersebut antara lain: e-mail, Telnet, Internet Relay Chat, Newsgroup, Mailing List (Milis), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), atau World Wide Web (WWW). Di antara banyak fasilitas tersebut menurut Onno W. Purbo (1997), “ada lima aplikasi standar internet yang dapat digunakan untuk keperluan pendidikan, yaitu e-mail, Mailing List (milis), News group, File Transfer Protocol (FTC), dan World Wide Web (WWW)”.

Teknologi internet pada hakikatnya merupakan perkembangan dari teknologi komunikasi generasi sebelumnya. Media seperti radio, televisi, video, multi media, dan media lainnya telah digunakan dan dapat membantu meningkatkan mutu pendidikan. Apalagi media internet yang memiliki sifat interaktif, bisa sebagai media massa dan interpersonal, gudangnya sumber informasi dari berbagai penjuru dunia, sangat dimungkinkan menjadi media pendidikan lebih unggul dari generasi sebelumnya. Dengan fasilitas yang dimilikinya. Menurut Onno W. Purbo (1998) paling tidak ada tiga hal dampak positif penggunaan internet dalam pendidikan yaitu:

a)      Peserta didik dapat dengan mudah mengambil mata kuliah di mana pun di seluruh dunia tanpa batas institusi atau batas negara.

b)    Peserta didik dapat dengan mudah berguru pada para ahli di bidang yang diminatinya.

c)      Kuliah/belajar dapat dengan mudah diambil di berbagai penjuru dunia tanpa bergantung pada universitas/sekolah tempat si mahasiswa belajar. Di samping itu kini hadir perpustakan internet yang lebih dinamis dan bisa digunakan di seluruh jagat raya.

2.      Metode Pembelajaran

Pada dasarnya cara penyampaian atau cara pemberian (delivery system) dari e-learning, dapat digolongkan menjadi dua, yaitu: komunikasi satu arah dan komunikasi dua arah. Komunikasi atau interaksi antara guru dan murid memang sebaiknya melalui sistem dua arah. Dalam e-learning, sistem dua arah ini juga bisa diklasifikasikan menjadi dua, yaitu:

a)      Dilaksanakan melalui cara langsung artinya pada saat instruktur memberikan pelajaran, murid dapat langsung mendengarkan.

b)      Dilaksanakan melalui cara tidak langsung misalnya pesan dari instruktur direkam dahulu sebelum digunakan.

Karakteristik e-learning antara lain:

a)      Memanfaatkan jasa teknologi elektronik. Guru dan siswa, siswa dan sesama siswa atau guru dan sesama guru dapat berkomunikasi dengan relatif mudah tanpa dibatasi oleh hal-hal yang bersifat protokoler.

b)      Memanfaatkan keunggulan komputer (digital media dan computer networks).

c)      Menggunakan bahan ajar bersifat mandiri (self learning materials) disimpan di komputer sehingga dapat diakses oleh guru dan siswa kapan saja dan di  mana saja bila yang bersangkutan memerlukannya.

d)      Memanfaatkan jadwal pembelajaran, kurikulum, hasil kemajuan belajar dan hal-hal yang berkaitan dengan administrasi pendidikan dapat dilihat setiap saat di komputer.

Pengembangan e-learning tidak semata-mata hanya menyajikan materi pelajaran secara on-line saja, namun harus komunikatif dan menarik. Materi pelajaran didesain seolah peserta didik belajar di hadapan pengajar melalui layar komputer yang dihubungkan melalui jaringan internet. Untuk dapat menghasilkan e-learning yang menarik dan diminati, Onno W. Purbo (2002) mensyaratkan tiga hal yang wajib dipenuhi dalam merancang e-learning, yaitu “sederhana, personal, dan cepat”. Sistem yang sederhana akan memudahkan peserta didik dalam memanfaatkan teknologi dan menu yang ada , dengan kemudahan pada panel yang disediakan, akan mengurangi pengenalan system e-learning itu sendiri, sehingga waktu belajar peserta dapat diefisienkan untuk proses belajar itu sendiri dan bukan pada belajar menggunakan sistem e-learning nya.

Secara ringkas, e-learning perlu diciptakan seolah-olah peserta didik belajar secara konvensional, hanya saja dipindahkan ke dalam sistem digital melalui internet. Karena itu e-leraning perlu mengadaptasi unsur-unsur yang biasa dilakukan dalam sistem pembelajaran konvensional. Misalnya dimulai dari perumusan tujuan yang operasional dan dapat diukur, ada apersepsi atau pre tes, membangkitkan motivasi, menggunakan bahasa yang komunikatif, uraian materi yang jelas, contoh-contoh konkrit, problem solving, tanya jawab, diskusi, post test, sampai penugasan dan kegiatan tindak lanjutnya. Oleh karena itu merancang e-learning perlu melibatkan pihak terkait, antara lain: pengajar, ahli materi, ahli komunikasi, programmer, seniman, dan lain-lain.

3.      Faktor-Faktor Dalam Pemanfaatan E-Learning

Ahli-ahli pendidikan dan ahli internet menyarankan beberapa hal yang perlu diperhatikan sebelum seseorang memilih internet untuk kegiatan pembelajaran (Hartanto dan Purbo, 2002) antara lain:

a)      Analisis Kebutuhan (Need Analysis). Setiap lembaga menentukan teknologi pembelajaran sendiri yang berbeda satu sama lain. Untuk itu perlu diadakan analisis kebutuhan atau need analysis yang mencakup studi kelayakan baik secara teknis, ekonomis, maupun social.

b)      Rancangan Instruksional yang berisi tentang isi pelajaran, topik, satuan kredit, bahan ajar/kurikulum.

c)     Evaluasi yaitu sebelum program dimulai, ada baiknya dicobakan dengan mengambil beberapa sampel orang yang dimintai tolong untuk ikut mengevaluasi.

Oleh karena itu perlu diciptakan bagaimana semuanya mempunyai sikap yang positif terhadap media internet dan perangkatnya sehingga penggunaan teknologi baru bisa mempercepat pembangunan.

4.      Kelebihan dan Kekurangan E-Learning

Dari berbagai pengalaman dan juga dari berbagai informasi yang tersedia di literatur, memberikan penjelasan tentang manfaat penggunaan internet, khususnya dalam pendidikan terbuka dan jarak jauh (Soekartawi, 2002), antara lain dapat disebutkan sbb:

a)      Tersedianya fasilitas e-moderating. Guru dan siswa dapat berkomunikasi secara mudah melalui fasilitas internet secara regular atau kapan saja kegiatan berkomunikasi itu dilakukan tanpa dibatasi oleh jarak, tempat dan waktu.

b)      Guru dan siswa dapat menggunakan bahan ajar atau petunjuk belajar yang terstruktur dan terjadwal melalui internet, sehingga keduanya bisa saling menilai sampai berapa jauh bahan ajar dipelajari.

c)      Siswa dapat belajar atau me-review bahan ajar setiap saat dan di mana saja kalau diperlukan mengingat bahan ajar tersimpan di komputer.

d)      Bila siswamemerlukan tambahan informasi berkaitan dengan bahan yang dipelajarinya, ia dapat melakukan akses di internet secara lebih mudah.

e)      Baik guru maupun siswa dapat melakukan diskusi melalui internet yang dapat diikuti dengan jumlah peserta yang banyak, sehingga menambah ilmu pengetahuan dan wawasan yang lebih luas.

f)       Berubahnya peran siswa dari yang biasanya pasif menjadi aktif.

g)      Relatif lebih efisien. Misalnya bagi mereka yang tinggal jauh dari perguruan tinggi atau sekolah konvensional, bagi mereka yang sibuk bekerja, bagi mereka yang bertugas di kapal, di luar negeri, dsb-nya.

Walaupun demikian pemanfaatan internet untuk pembelajaran atau elearning juga tidak terlepas dari berbagai kekurangan antara lain:

a)      Kurangnya interaksi antara guru dan siswa atau bahkan antar siswa itu sendiri. Kurangnya interaksi ini bisa memperlambat terbentuknya values dalam proses belajar dan mengajar.

b)      Kecenderungan mengabaikan aspek akademik atau aspek sosial dan sebaliknya mendorong tumbuhnya aspek bisnis

c)      Proses belajar dan mengajarnya cenderung ke arah pelatihan bukan pendidikan.

d)      Berubahnya peran guru dari yang semula menguasai teknik pembelajaran konvensional, kini juga dituntut menguasai teknik pembelajaran yang menggunakan internet.

e)      Siswa yang tidak mempunyai motivasi belajar tinggi cenderung gagal

f)       Tidak semua tempat tersedia fasilitas internet (mungkin hal ini berkaitan dengan masalah tersedianya listrik, telepon ataupun komputer).

g)      Kurangnya tenaga yang mengetahui dan memiliki keterampilan bidang internet dan kurangnya penguasaan bahasa komputer.

Kini pemerintah telah berupaya untuk memanfaatkan dan memaksimalkan tersedianya informasi teknologi dengan membentuk Kantor Menteri Negara Informasi dan Teknologi. Di tiap departemen bahkan ada unit yang menangani teknologi informasi. Di Depdiknas misalnya ada Pustekkom atau Pusat Teknologi Komunikasi dan Informasi untuk Pendidikan; di tiap Universitas ada Pusat Komputer, dan masih banyak contoh lain. Sayangnya cyberlaws di Indonesia yang juga pernah dibahas dan disiapkan, belum juga selesai hingga kini. E-learning kini banyak digunakan oleh para penyelenggara pendidikan terbuka dan jarak jauh. Kalau dahulu hanya Universitas Terbuka yang diijinkan menyelenggarakan pendidikan jarak jauh, maka kini dengan terbitnya Surat Keputusan Menteri Pendidikan Nasional No.107/U/2001 (2 Juli 2001) tentang  ‘Penyelenggaraan Program Pendidikan Tinggi Jarak Jauh’, maka perguruan tinggi tertentu yang mempunyai kapasitas menyelenggarakan pendidikan terbuka dan jarak jauh menggunakan e-learning, juga telah diijinkan menyelenggarakannya. Lembaga-lembaga pendidikan non-formal seperti kursus-kursus, juga telah memafaatkan keunggulan e-learning ini untuk program-programnya. Begitu pula halnya dengan Undang-Undang Pendidikan yang baru nanti, yang segera akan disahkan oleh DPR, juga akan mengatur penyelenggaraan pendidika terbuka dan jarak jauh di Indonesia dengan menggunakan teknologi e-learning.

5.      Bahan Ajar Melalui E-Learning

Melalui pemanfaatkan teknologi informasi, diharapkan materi ajar dapat diakses oleh siapa saja dan kapan saja. Akses terhadap materi ajar sebenarnya dapat diatur bila dikehendaki karena tersedia fasilitas pengaman. Hanya orang yang telah mendaftar saja yang bisa mengakses materi ajar tersebut. Karena mahalnya pembuatan bahan ajar maka negara sebagai penanggung jawab mencerdaskan kehidupan bangsa perlu menyiapkan bahan tersebut sehingga dapat dipakai di seluruh Indonesia. Persoalan mendasar berkenaan dengan model ajar ini, adalah keterbatasan pihak sekolah untuk menyediakan komputer termasuk internet dalam proses pengajaran. Oleh karena itu perlu ada aksi untuk menyiapkan institusi pendidikan (ready for learning), yaitu dengan cara melibatkan para guru dan departemen terkait, misalnya depdiknas, dan departemen ristek yang ada di wilayah masing-masing. Mereka ini harus menyiapkan termasuk mengetahui materi ajar yang tersedia dan cara akses atau mendapatkannya. Mereka bertanggungjawab membantu institusi pendidikan termasuk mengkomunikasikan materi ajar yang tidak dipahami sehingga dapat mempelajarinya dalam waktu tertentu. Saat ini telah banyak sekali sumber belajar yang berbasis komputer bahkan berbasis multmedia (buatan dalam dan luar negeri) baik yang berfungsi sebagai materi pokok, maupun sebagai materi pengayaan. Namun penelitian tentang dampak dari penggunaan sumber belajar tersebut belum banyak dilakukan, terutama dalam hal kemungkinan adanya miskonsepsi yang ditimbulkan oleh sumber belajar itu. Oleh karena itu, studi tentang pengembangan, uji coba dan standardisasi perangkat lunak komputer kependidikan harus segera dilakukan oleh departemen atau pihak yang berkepentingan dan kita semua.

6.      Kesimpulan

Kebijakan institusi pendidikan dalam memanfaatkan teknologi internet menuju e-learning perlu kajian dan rancangan mendalam. E-learning bukan semata-mata hanya memindahkan semua pembelajaran pada internet. Hakikat e-learning adalah proses pembelajaran yang dituangkan melalui teknologi internet. Di samping itu prinsip sederhana, personal, dan cepat perlu dipertimbangkan. Untuk menambah daya tarik dapat pula menggunakan teori games Oleh karena itu prinsip dan komunikasi pembelajaran perlu didesain seperti layaknya pembelajaran konvensional. Di sini perlunya pengembangan model e-learning yang tepat sesuai dengan kebutuhan. Ada pendapat yang mengatakan bahwa media pembelajaran secanggih apapun tidak akan bisa menggantikan sepenuhnya peran guru/dosen. Penanaman nila-nilai dan sentuhan kepribadian sulit dilakukan. Di sini tantangan bagi para pengambil kebijakan dan perancang e-learning. Oleh karena itu penulis sependapat bahwa dalam sistem pendidikan konvensional, fungsi e-learning adalah untuk memperkaya wawasan dan pemahaman peserta didik, serta proses pembiasaan agar melek sumber belajar khususnya teknologi internet.

Daftar Pustaka

Anwas, Oos M. (2000). Internet: Peluang dan tantangan pendidikan nasional. Jakarta: Jurnal Teknodik Depdiknas

Hartanto, A.A. dan Purbo, O.W. (2002). Teknologi e-learning berbasis php dan mysql. Jakarta: Elex Media Komputindo

Kamarga, Hanny. (2002). Belajar sejarah melalui e-learning; Alternatif mengakses sumber informasi kesejarahan. Jakarta: Inti Media

Purbo, Onno W. (2001). Masyarakat pengguna internet di Indonesia. Available, http://www.geocities.com/inrecent/project.html. (4 November 2002).

Rahardjo, Budi. (2001). Pergolakan informasi di Indonesia akan sia-sia?. Artikel Majalah Tempo. Jakarta: November 2001

Suwarno dan Alvin Y. (2000). Perubahan sosial dan pembangunan. Jakarta:LP3ES

Soekartawi (2002). Prospek pembelajaran melalui internet. Makalah disampaikan pada Seminar Nasional ‘Teknologi Kependidikan’ yang diselenggarakan oleh UT-Pustekkom dan IPTPI, Jakarta, 18-19 Juli 2002

Tafiardi (2005). Meningkatkan mutu pendidikan melalui E-Learning. Jurnal pendidikan penabur. Jakarta: Juli 2005

Tung, Khoe Yao. (2000). Pendidikan dan riset di internet. Jakarta: Dinastindo

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, on the north coast of Sumatra lived a poor woman and his son. The boy was called Malin Kundang. They didn’t earn much as fishing was their only source of income. Malin Kundang grew up as a skillful young boy. He always helps his mother to earn some money. However, as they were only fisherman’s helper, they still lived in poverty. “Mother, what if I sail overseas?” asked Malin Kundang one day to his mother. Her mother didn’t agree but Malin Kundang had made up his mind. “Mother, if I stay here, I’ll always be a poor man. I want to be a successful person,” urged Malin kundang. His mother wiped her tears, “If you really want to go, I can’t stop you. I could only pray to God for you to gain success in life,” said his mother wisely. “But, promise me, you’ll come home.”
In the next morning, Malin Kundang was ready to go. Three days ago, he met one of the successful ship’s crew. Malin was offered to join him. “Take a good care of yourself, son,” said Malin Kundang’s mother as she gave him some food supplies. “Yes, Mother,” Malin Kundang said. “You too have to take a good care of yourself. I’ll keep in touch with you,” he continued before kissing his mother’s hand. Before Malin stepped onto the ship, Malin’s mother hugged him tight as if she didn’t want to let him go.
It had been three months since Malin Kundang left his mother. As his mother had predicted before, he hadn’t contacted her yet. Every morning, she stood on the pier. She wished to see the ship that brought Malin kundang home. Every day and night, she prayed to the God for her son’s safety. There was so much prayer that had been said due to her deep love for Malin Kundang. Even though it’s been a year she had not heard any news from Malin Kundang, she kept waiting and praying for him.
After several years waiting without any news, Malin Kundang’s mother was suddenly surprised by the arrival of a big ship in the pier where she usually stood to wait for her son. When the ship finally pulled over, Malin Kundang’s mother saw a man who looked wealthy stepping down a ladder along with a beautiful woman. She could not be wrong. Her blurry eyes still easily recognized him. The man was Malin Kundang, her son.
Malin Kundang’s mother quickly went to see her beloved son. “Malin, you’re back, son!” said Malin Kundang’s mother and without hesitation, she came running to hug Malin Kundang, “I miss you so much.” But, Malin Kundang didn’t show any respond. He was ashamed to admit his own mother in front of his beautiful wife. “You’re not my Mother. I don’t know you. My mother would never wear such ragged and ugly clothes,” said Malin Kundang as he release his mother embrace.
Malin Kundang’s mother take a step back, “Malin…You don’t recognize me? I’m your mother!” she said sadly. Malin Kundang’s face was as cold as ice. “Guard, take this old women out of here,” Malin Kundang ordered his bodyguard. “Give her some money so she won’t disturb me again!” Malin Kundang’s mother cried as she was dragged by the bodyguard, ”Malin… my son. Why do you treat your own mother like this?”
Malin Kundang ignored his mother and ordered the ship crews to set sail. Malin Kundang’s mother sat alone in the pier. Her heart was so hurt, she cried and cried. “Dear God, if he isn’t my son, please let him have a save journey. But if he is, I cursed him to become a stone,” she prayed to the God.
In the quiet sea, suddenly the wind blew so hard and a thunderstorm came. Malin Kundang’s huge ship was wrecked. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship, and fell on a small island. Suddenly, his whole body turned into stone. He was punished for not admitting his own mother.

Media Pembelajaran Kelas V Semester Ganjil

Media Pembelajaran kelas V Semester Ganjil dengan pokok bahasan Times silakan download di sini

“The Greek Sea Sight”

Martina Lourdez, usually on call Lourdes this woman is a beautiful woman from England. However, she was not young anymore she was 42 years. She lives in Liverpool, the city where he was born.

One summer, his best friend, Mary-shen invited him to go to a vacation in Greece. He never went to Greece, he wanted to know about the country, so he decided to join the-shane Marry in Holiday.

In Greece they were staying at a hotel near the beach. There, they were greeted by a man named Aaeroniz friendly. He is the manager of the hotel. One night Martina Lourdes went to the bar to drink some, he found Aeroniz stand there and they start a conversation.

“You know, I have a boat located near the beach. Actually it belongs to my brother, but if you prefer, we can go for a trip tomorrow. What do you think?” The man said to him.

“Wow, it would be nice,” he accepted the invitation and she went with him the next day. They enjoyed their trip very much, especially Lourdes who had sailed with the boat.

Actually, Lourdes like Greek scenery, so after the first trip, he came out with the manager of the hotel every day. As usual they swim, sunbathe and spend more time together at sea. They really enjoyed it.

End holidays come, Lourdes had to go back. He was in the airport already but, suddenly, he decided not to return to Liverpool, his home town. He thought, he wanted to stay in Greece. Then, this girl left the airport and directly back to the hotel where Aroniz as manager.

When he arrived he saw Aeronis at the bar with a woman and she decided to hear their conversation.

“Do you want to go for a boat ride my brother?” The word Aeronis invite her. But Lourdes is not concerned about it and he came close to them.

Aeronis Lourdes was surprised when he found standing beside him and the woman. He was very surprised, she smiled at him he gets. Aeronis think Lourdes will be angry with him but, he just said that the purpose that he was looking for a job at the hotel.

Lourdes was not angry when he knew the fact that it Aeronis playboy, because he does not fall in love with him but, he fell in love with Greece and sea views.

THE REAL STORY OF PINOCCHIO

Once upon a time, Gepetto, an old woodsman, living in the great Italian pine forest, was lonely. He always dreamed about having a son.

Each day, he went cutting woods for the town’s people. One day, an idea illuminated his mind, the idea of crafting a puppet, which he will call it Pinocchio. He crafted that puppet and during the night, the puppet becomes alive!

One year of happiness and thriller passed, on a Sunday morning, Gepetto told Pinocchio:

‘’It’s my birthday soon, my little son! I hope you didn’t forget it!’’

‘’Euh, sure, I didn’t!’’

Pinocchio felt awkward. He didn’t thought about that. Gepetto’s birthday was coming in only three days, and he hadn’t even a present.

After a long night of reflecting, Pinocchio finally decided to offer a homemade chocolate cake to him as a present.

When the sun rose, Pinocchio was already ready to go outside find the ingredients. The main problem was he didn’t even known the in and the recipe.

So after school, he decided to go ask someone for the ingredients to bake a cake. During his walk, Pinocchio, the wooden puppet, met the town’s sorcerer.
‘’Hey, little boy, do you need some help for your chocolate cake?’’

‘’Hum…You can help me?’’, asked Pinocchio.

‘’Sure, I can.A Follow me!’’

After walking few minutes so, Pinocchio saw a big, big, big candy house. They entered together and Pinocchio got caught by a big cage.

‘’Mouahahaha!!! I finally caught you! You’ll be mine, you’re gonna work for me!’’, said the evil sorcerer.

Pinocchio was so scared. When the guards came and took him out of the cage, he immediately ran away very fast and he succeeded to escape.

At the same time, the evil sorcerer, calling all his troops with him, ran after him and he took out his magic wand. The evil devil changed the little wooden puppet into a chocolate cake!

When he came back home, he told the entire story to his father and they went to find the god fairy.

After a long trip, they finally find the god fairy and they got the magical potion for Pinocchio.

LUTUNG KASARUNG

Prabu Tapa Agung had led a kingdom in West Java for a long time. He was getting old and therefore wanted to choose a successor. But unfortunately, he had no son. He thought of choosing one of his daughters, Purbararang and Purbasari. But it wasn’t an easy choice. They were both very pretty and smart. The only difference was their temperament. Purbararang was rude and dishonest, while Purbasari was kind and caring. With those considerations, Prabu Tapa Agung finally chose Purbasari to be his successor.

Purbararang didn’t agree with her father’s decision. “It’s supposed to be me, Father. I’m the eldest daughter!” Purbararang said. Prabu Tapa Agung smiled. “Purbararang, to be a queen takes more than age. There are many other qualities that one must possess,” explained Prabu Tapa Agung wisely. “What does Purbasari have that I don’t?” Purbararang pouted. “You’ll find out when Purbasari has replaced me,” Prabu Tapa Agung answered.

After the discussion, Purbararang went back to her room. “Is there something wrong?” asked Indrajaya. Indrajaya is Purbararang’s future husband. “I’m upset! Father chose Purbasari as his successor and not me! I have to do something!” Purbararang said. Driven mad by her anger, she came to a witch and asked her to send rash all over Purbasari’s body. Before going to bed, Purbasari started to feel itch all over her body. She tried applying powder to her body, but it’s no use. Instead, the itching grew even worse. She didn’t want to scratch it, but she just couldn’t help it. In the next morning, there were scratch mark all over Purbasari’s body. “What happened to you?” asked Purbararang, pretending to be concerned. “I don’t know, sis. Last night, my body suddenly felt very itchy. I scratched and scratched, and this is what happened,” Purbasari answered. Purbararang shook her head. “You must have done something really awful. You’ve been punished by the gods!”

That day, the whole kingdom was scandalized. “What have you done, Purbasari?” demanded Prabu Tapa Agung. Purbasari shook her head. “I didn’t do anything that would upset the gods, Father,” she answered. “Then how can you explain what happened to your body?” Prabu Tapa Agung asked again. “If you don’t confess, I’ll banish you to the woods.” Purbasari took a deep breath. “Like I said before, I didn’t do anything wrong. And I’d rather be thrown into the woods than to confess to a deed I didn’t commit.”

After a short discussion with his advisor, Prabu Tapa Agung ordered Purbasari to be moved to the woods. Purbasari was very sad, but she couldn’t do anything to defy her father’s order. She was accompanied to the woods by a messenger. He built a simple hut for Purbasari. After the messenger left, suddenly a black monkey came to Purbasari’s hut. He carried a bunch of bananas. From behind him, some animals looked on. “Are the bananas for me?’ Purbasari asked. The black monkey nodded, as if he understood what Purbasari said. Purbasari took the bananas with pleasure. She also said thanks. The other animals that were looking on also seemed to smile. “Are you willing to be my friend?” Purbasari asked them. All the animals nodded happily. Although she was living by herself in the woods, Purbasari never lacked of supplies. Everyday, there were always animals bringing her fruits and fish to eat.

A long time had passed since Purbasari was banished to the woods, but her body still itched. At some places, her skin was even ulcerating. What am I supposed to do?” Purbasari sighed. The monkey who was sitting next to her stayed still, there were tears in his eyes. He hoped Purbasari would remain patient and strong.

One night, on a full moon, the monkey took Purbasari to a valley. There is a pond with hot spring water. The monkey suddenly spoke, “The water of this pond will heal your skin,” he said. Purbasari was surprised, ”You can talk? Who are you?” she asked. “You’ll find out, in time,” the monkey said. Purbasari didn’t want to force the monkey. She then walked to the pond. She bathed there. After a few hours, Purbasari walked out of the pond. She was shocked to see her face reflected on the clear pond water. Her face was beautiful again, with smooth and clean skin. Purbasari observed her entire body. There were no traces of any skin ailments. “I’m cured! I’m cured!” Purbasari shouted in joy. She quickly offered thanks to the gods and also to the monkey.

The news of Purbasari’s condition quickly spread to the kingdom, irritating Purbararang. She then accompanied by Indrajaya go to the woods to see Purbasari. Purbasari asked if she would be allowed to go home. Purbararang said she would let Purbasari return to the palace if Purbasari’s hair were longer than hers. Purbararang then let her hair down. It was so long, it almost touched the ground. But it turned out that Purbasari’s hair was twice longer than Purbararang’s hair.

“Fine, so your hair is longer than mine.” Purbararang admitted. “But there is one more condition you must fulfill, do you have a future husband who is handsomer than mine?” said Purbararang as she walked toward Indrajaya. Purbasari felt miserable. She didn’t have a future husband yet. So, without much thought, she pulled the black monkey beside her.

Purbararang and Indrajaya burst out, but their laughter didn’t last long. The monkey meditates and suddenly transformed into a very handsome young man, a lot more handsome than Indrajaya. “I’m a prince from a kingdom far away. I was cursed to be a monkey because of a mistake I committed. I could regain my true form only if there’s a girl who would be willing to be my wife,”  said the young man.

Finally, Purbararang gave up. She accepted Purbasari as the queen, and also confessed everything she had done. “Please forgive me. Please don’t punish me,” Purbararang said, asking for forgiveness. Instead of being angry, Purbasari smiled. “I forgive you, sis,” she said. Soon after, Purbasari become queen. Beside her was the handsome prince, the former monkey known as Lutung Kasarung.

SANGKURIANG

On one day, as usual Sangkuriang go into the woods to hunt. Once when he got in the woods, Sangkuriang start looking for prey. He saw there was a bird that was perched on the branch, and then without thinking Sangkuriang shot, and right on target. Sangkuriang then ordered to chase quarry Tumang earlier, but the Tumang silent and refused to follow orders Sangkuriang. Because very annoyed at Tumang, and then drove Tumang Sangkuriang and not allowed to go home with him again.

At home, Sangkuriang told the incident to her mother. Upon hearing the story of her son, Dayang Sumbi very angry. She took a spoon of rice, and struck to the head Sangkuriang. Because the treatment was disappointed with his mother, then Sangkuriang decided to go wandering, and left the house.

After the incident, Dayang Sumbi deeply regretted his actions. He prayed every day, and ask that one day could see her son again. Because of the seriousness of these Sumbi Dayang prayer, then God gave him a gift of eternal beauty and youth forever. After many years Sangkuriang wandering, he eventually intends to return to his hometown. When I got there, he was very surprised at all, because his hometown had changed completely. Sangkuriang excitement grows as the time in the middle of the road met a woman who is very beautiful, which is none other than Dayang Sumbi.

Since the enchanted by her beauty, then direct Sangkuriang proposed. Finally an application is received by Dayang Sangkuriang Sumbi, and agreed to be married in the near future. On one day, Sangkuriang his future wife for permission to hunt on health. Before leaving, he asked Dayang Sumbi to tighten and straighten kapalanya tie.

Dayang Sumbi surprise, because when she smoothed Sangkuriang headband, he saw a scar. The scar is a scar similar to his son. When asked about the cause of the wound Sangkuriang it, Dayang Sumbi tekejut increases, because it is true that her husband was her own.

Dayang Sumbi very distraught, because he can not marry his own son. After Sangkuriang home hunting, Dayang Sumbi Sangkuriang tried totalkto,soSangkuriangcancel their wedding plans. Dayang Sumbi request is not approved Sangkuriang, and only considered the wind and just.

Dayang Sumbi every day thinking about how to order their wedding never happened. After thinking hard, Dayang Sumbi finally found the best way. He proposed two conditions to Sangkuriang.

If Sangkuriang can meet both these requirements, it would be Dayang Sumbi wife, but rather if the marriage fails then it will be canceled. The first requirement Dayang Sumbi wants Citarum river dammed. And the second is, ask Sangkuriang to make a very large boat to cross a river. Both conditions must be resolved before dawn. Sangkuriang second undertakes such request Sumbi Dayang, and pledged to finish before dawn. With the magic he has, and mobilize Sangkuriang friends from the jinn to help solve these tasks. Secretly, Dayang Sumbi peeking from Sangkuriang work. Surprise him, because Sangkuriang almost all conditions menyelesaiklan given Dayang Sumbi before dawn.

Dayang Sumbi then ask for help communities to spread out a red silk cloth in the east of the city. When he saw the color red in the east of the city, Sangkuriang thought that it was late morning. Sangkuriang immediately stopped work and was not able to meet the requirements that have been proposed by Dayang Sumbi. With a sense of annoyance and disappointment, and then break down the dam Sangkuriang who has made himself.

Because of it, the flood occurred and the whole city under water. Sangkuriang also kicked a big boat that has been made. The canoe was floated and fell face down, then became a mountain named Tangkuban Perahu.

A ROSE FROM HOMER’S GRAVE

All the songs of the east speak of the love of the nightingale for the rose in the silent starlight night. The winged

songster serenades the fragrant flowers.

Not far from Smyrna, where the merchant drives his loaded camels, proudly arching their long necks as they journey beneath the lofty pines over holy ground, I saw a hedge of roses. The turtle-dove flew among the branches of the tall trees, and as the sunbeams fell upon her wings, they glistened as if they were mother-of-pearl. On the rose-bush grew a flower, more beautiful than them all, and to her the nightingale sung of his woes; but the rose remained silent, not even a dewdrop lay like a tear of sympathy on her leaves. At last she bowed her head over a heap of stones, and said, “Here rests the greatest singer in the world; over his tomb will I spread my fragrance, and on it I will let my leaves fall when the storm scatters them. He who sung of Troy became earth, and from that earth I have sprung. I, a rose from the grave of Homer, am too lofty to bloom for a nightingale.” Then the nightingale sung himself to death. A camel-driver came by, with his loaded camels and his black slaves; his little son found the dead bird, and buried the lovely songster in the grave of the great Homer, while the rose trembled in the wind.

 

The evening came, and the rose wrapped her leaves more closely round her, and dreamed: and this was her

dream.

It was a fair sunshiny day; a crowd of strangers drew near who had undertaken a pilgrimage to the grave of Homer. Among the strangers was a minstrel from the north, the home of the clouds and the brilliant lights of the aurora borealis. He plucked the rose and placed it in a book, and carried it away into a distant part of the world, his fatherland. The rose faded with grief, and lay between the leaves of the book, which he opened in his own home, saying, “Here is a rose from the grave of Homer.”

 

Then the flower awoke from her dream, and trembled in the wind. A drop of dew fell from the leaves upon the singer’s grave. The sun rose, and the flower bloomed more beautiful than ever. The day was hot, and she was still in her own warm Asia. Then footsteps approached, strangers, such as the rose had seen in her dream, came by, and among them was a poet from the north; he plucked the rose, pressed a kiss upon her fresh mouth, and carried her away to the home of the clouds and the northern lights. Like a mummy, the flower now rests in his “Iliad,” and, as in her dream, she hears him say, as he opens the book, “Here is a rose from the grave of Homer.”

The Peasant in Heaven

Once upon a time a poor pious peasant died, and arrived before the gate of heaven. At the same time a very rich, rich lord came there who also wanted to get into heaven.

Then saint peter came with the key, and opened the door, and let the great man in, but apparently did not see the peasant, and shut the door again.

And now the peasant outside heard how the great man was received in heaven with all kinds of rejoicing, and how they were making music, and singing within.

At length all became quiet again, and saint peter came and opened the gate of heaven, and let the peasant in.

The peasant, however, expected that they would make music and sing when he went in also, but all remained quite quiet. He was received with great affection, it is true, and the angels came to meet him, but no one sang.

Then the peasant asked saint peter how it was that they did not sing for him as they had done when the rich man went in, and said that it seemed to him that there in heaven things were done with just as much partiality as on earth.

Then said saint peter, by no means, you are just as dear to us as anyone else, and will enjoy every heavenly delight that the rich man enjoys, but poor fellows like you come to heaven every day, but a rich man like this does not come more than once in a hundred years.

The Princess and The Pea

Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but she would have to be a real princess. He travelled all over the world to find one, but nowhere could he get what he wanted. There were princesses enough, but it was difficult to find out whether they were real ones. There was always something about them that was not as it should be. So he came home again and was sad, for he would have liked very much to have a real princess.

One evening a terrible storm came on; there was thunder and lightning, and the rain poured down in torrents. Suddenly a knocking was heard at the city gate, and the old king went to open it.

It was a princess standing out there in front of the gate. But, good gracious! what a sight the rain and the wind had made her look. The water ran down from her hair and clothes; it ran down into the toes of her shoes and out again at the heels. And yet she said that she was a real princess.

Well, we'll soon find that out, thought the old queen. But she said nothing, went into the bed-room, took all the bedding off the bedstead, and laid a pea on the bottom; then she took twenty mattresses and laid them on the pea, and then twenty eider-down beds on top of the mattresses.

On this the princess had to lie all night. In the morning she was asked how she had slept.

"Oh, very badly!" said she. "I have scarcely closed my eyes all night. Heaven only knows what was in the bed, but I was lying on something hard, so that I am black and blue all over my body. It's horrible!"

Now they knew that she was a real princess because she had felt the pea right through the twenty mattresses and the twenty eider-down beds.

Nobody but a real princess could be as sensitive as that.

So the prince took her for his wife, for now he knew that he had a real princess; and the pea was put in the museum, where it may still be seen, if no one has stolen it.

THE GINGERBREAD MAN

Once upon a time, an old woman and her husband lived alone in a little old house. The couple had no children, and being lonely, the woman decided to make a boy of gingerbread. She carefully mixed the batter, rolled out the dough, and cut out out a very nice gingerbread man. She added sugar icing for his hair, mouth, and clothes, and she used candy chips for buttons and eyes. What a fine looking gingerbread man he was! The old woman put him in the oven to bake. After he was fully done, she slowly opened the oven door. Up jumped the gingerbread man, and he ran out the door saying,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The old woman and the old man ran after him, but they could not catch him.




And so the Gingerbread Man ran and ran. While he running, he met a cow.
"Moo," said the cow. "You look very fine! Fine enough to eat!" And the cow started to chase to little man.
But the Gingerbread Man ran faster, saying,
"I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"

And he laughed,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The cow ran after the Gingerbread Man, but she could not catch him.




The Gingerbread Man kept running, and soon he met a horse.
"Neigh," said the horse, "You look mighty tasty. I think that I would like to eat you."
"But you can't!" said the Gingerbread Man.
"I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
I ran away from a cow,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"

And so he ran singing,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The horse ran after the Gingerbread Man, but he could not catch him.





The Gingerbread Man ran and ran, laughing and singing. While he ran, he met a chicken.
"Cackle, cackle," said the chicken, "You look fine enough to peck for dinner. I'm going to eat you, Mr. Gingerbread Man."
But the Gingerbread Man just laughed.
"I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
I ran away from a cow,
I ran away from a horse,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"

And so he ran singing,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The chicken ran after the Gingerbread Man, but she could not catch him.


The Gingerbread Man was proud that he could run so fast.
"Nobody can catch me," he thought. So he kept on running until he met a fox.
He just had to tell the fox how he ran faster than all the others.


"Mr. Fox," he said,
"As tasty as I appear to be,
I cannot let you catch and eat me.
I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
I ran away from a cow,
I ran away from a horse,
I ran away from a chicken,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"
But Mr. Fox did not seem to care.

"Why would I want to bother you?" asked Mr. Fox. "You don't even look that tasty. No, young man, I don't want to eat you at all."
The Gingerbread Man was so relieved.

"Well, indeed, Mr. Fox," said the Gingerbread Man. "If you don't mind, I think I'll take a little rest here." And the Gingerbread Man stopped running and stood still.
And right when he stood still. Snap! went Mr. Fox's jaws right into the Gingerbread Man until he was gone.
"He was very tasty after all," thought the fox.