DIGITIZING ORAL TRADITIONS AS CULTURAL HERITAGE: FOSTERING ORAL HISTORICAL AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS IN THE KEPULAUAN SERIBU

Abstract

Preserving oral traditions among younger generations has become a challenge in the digital era. At SMPN 133 Kepulauan Seribu, students’ low awareness of local culture—such as folktales, pantun, and traditional regional foods—has emerged as a major issue. The lack of engaging teaching materials and the limited number of educators with expertise in oral traditions further exacerbate this condition. Meanwhile, students show greater interest in digital media than in conventional learning methods. Therefore, innovation in local cultural education is needed to make it more relevant to contemporary developments. This study aims to enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of oral traditions through the development of digital-based infographics. Infographics were chosen because they effectively combine text and visuals in an engaging manner and are easily accessible across various digital platforms. The program involved student outreach activities and training on creating infographics using Canva to document local cultural information in the Kepulauan Seribu. An evaluation was conducted to measure the effectiveness of infographics in increasing cultural awareness among students. The targeted outcomes include improved awareness and skills of students related to oral traditions in the Kepulauan Seribu. Through this program, it is expected that oral traditions will become better known, understood, and sustainably passed on to younger generations.