VR Paradise: Virtual Reality Based English Language Training Concept For Banyuwangi

Tourism Awareness Group as an Effort to Create Superior HR Towards Era Society 5.0

Nurotul Wafiroh1, Afifah Nurliana2, Deva Firdia3

Community Education / Educational Sciences, Jember University
Community Education / Educational Sciences, Jember University
Community Education / Educational Sciences, Jember University
E-mail: nur.wafiroh22@gmail.com

Abstract
VR Paradise is a Virtual Reality based English language Training concept aimed at Banyuwangi
tourism awareness groups which includes several tour management groups, sellers at tourist sites,
and tour guides at tourist attractions in the Banyuwangi area. The material contained in this
training is tailored to the needs of the trainees. Training schedule is flexible and uses smartphone
media so that it is easily accessed by trainees. The method of tracing ideas up to implementation is
carried out by means of Research and Development by adopting 4 D model or The Four-D Model
which consists of four stages namely define, design, develope, and disseminate. With the
development of the concept of training the target is tourism awareness groups are expected to
create superior human resources through the concept of education and training so that it can be
used as an effort to empower people who are be able to improve the quality of tourism in the
Banyuwangi area to ensure friendly service for local and foreign tourists towards the era of society
5.0

Keywords: English Language Training, Pokdarwis, Virtual Reality

Introduction
People-based tourism grows in villages in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. Tourism
developed by tourism-aware communities in the local area and assisted by tourism tips and
government agencies is expected to become one of the economic backers of the Banyuwangi
Regency. The management of tourism is carried out by residents by utilizing local wisdom,
culture, and local natural resources to be managed as a new tourist attraction. They also manages
the area with a sustainable system. New growing tourist areas, including pine forest tourism in
Songgon; mangrove ecotourism in Bengkak Village, Wongsorejo; coffee tourism in the village of
Gombeng, Kalipuro; and Using Tourism Village, Glagah (Banyuwangikab.go.id).
The role of the community and government in the development of tourism is in accordance
with the formulation of policies and the launching of an area as a Tourist Destination (DTW)
indicates the concern, commitment, and role of the government as an effort to advance tourism
which is regulated and contained in Law No. 10 of 2009 in lieu of Law No. 9 of 1990 concerning
tourism. This regulation states that the development of tourism can have a positive impact on
society, among others in the form of improving people's welfare, reducing poverty and
unemployment, and environment preservation.
In the development of tourism, education and training for development actors are needed,
in this case pokdarwis who have a major role in tourism development. Inside the pokdarwis shelter
there are a number of components both from the manager, seller, and tour guide. So that education
and training to improve English language skills are needed to provide the best service for visitors
both from local and foreign. And with the language skills for the tourism area pokdarwis it will
provide additional value to increase the existence of the tourism.
Tourism activists and tourism awareness groups in Banyuwangi Regency are given English
language courses that can support language skills. In English language skills this is more
emphasized in daily conversation. Chaer (2009: 37) sugges a theory related to a foreign language,
the existence of a target language term in the form of a language that is being learned to master.
The embodiment of the target language in the form of mother language / first language (B1),
second language (B2) or second language or foreign language (BA) or foreign language. The
definition of a second language (B2) is not the same as a foreign language (BA). Reported in the
Banyuwangi news portal that the district government supports this people-based tourism. The last
two years, the district government has provided various training to residents. The training that has
been done, including English, Chinese and Arabic courses in each village for three months. As
many 2,000 residents took part in the training and final examination of foreign language skills
(transformation.org)
There are several reasons why increased communication in English is needed for
Banyuwangi tourism awareness groups as follows; The experience of learning English in the
Banyuwangi tourism-conscious group still low because their educational background still low.
Most residents are High School graduates so their English language skills are limited to what they
can in school and on average are old so it is difficult to remember new vocabularies. And many
foreign tourists visiting tourist destinations scattered in Banyuwangi Regency, so to improve
services need to be conducted English language training to provide provisions for managers,
sellers, and tour guides to improve the quality of service satisfly and friendly to tourists from
abroad.
English language Training is usually organized with a traditional model where participants
are only given material, little field practice, and improvised learning media make the effectiveness
of the training lacking. So that many trainees are less interested and feel bored. To improve the
quality of training, various kinds of innovation need to be developed. And in this era of society 5.0
all human activities are assisted with technology, problem solving in society also technology
based. The need for research related to the development of English language training innovations
that are fun, effective, and flexible for tourism activist, in Michael Garcia opinion are very urgent
because tourism is a reflection of the success of a nation in utilizing existing resources. So it will
be highlighted by global, then there are need for promotional efforts that can certainly be
understood by the global community so that there needs to be improvement in language and
communication. In addition to ensuring the quality of tourist-friendly services (foreign tourists), it
is necessary to have training to sharpen English language skills.
However, the concept of education and training will be given to trainees in which business
actors in tourism must be packaged with a simple and flexible concept. With this conditions of the
digital era and based on IoT and big data, it is necessary to have a practical and effective
technology-based training concept. According to Hobri, the Jember Regency education council in
the seminar on the use of technology in the era of society 5.0 was the best solution for the world of
education. For this reason, the writers have created innovations in the development of the concept
of education and training to improve English language skills using Virtual Reality-based
technology in an effort to improve the quality of human resources towards the era of society 5.0
where every problem and need of the community is displayed and assisted using technology.
Virtual reality (Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that provides direct graphical
interaction (realtime) with three-dimensional models combined with screen technology that is able
to give the impression of immersive (as if in the real world) to the user. Virtual reality basically
refers to the impression of an immersive, interactive, multi-sensor, computer processing that
produces a three-dimensional environment and a combination of technologies needed to build that
environment. Virtual reality makes it possible to simulate the real world into a three-dimensional
visualization system and allows user interaction with the model due to the ability to track motion
and the ability to act with products in real time. (R.Perez Vernandes, 2015)
Our English language training for Pokdarwis based on VR technology is packed with the
VR Paradise concept with the theme The Paradise From Banyuwangi. As we know that
Banyuwangi is a 'Sunrise of Java' a nickname given to Banyuwangi Regency and has won the
Winner of Re-Inventing Government in Tourism award in the category of Innovation in Public
Policy Governance. The Banyuwangi district government has been appointed by the central
government as the representative of Indonesia who managed to get the best award at the twelfth
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Awards held in Madrid, Spain
(Unwto.2011).
So, with the concept of virtual reality-based training where all training activities use virtual
technology and can seem more real. With this practical and flexible training concept, it will make
it easier to accelerate the understanding and skills of trainees. Flexible and easy time to do with
trainees who tend to be busy. This education and training can be done at home and anywhere
according to the agreement of learning citizens. In addition, the material provided is tailored to the
needs of the trainees and uses their own smartphones and headsets.
For the manager and tour guide, the material provided about tourism in the area includes
history, origins, developments, and every corner of the tourist destinations there. So that in
learning and application in the real world is not much different. And for sellers of goods and
services that trade in tourist areas are also given training in accordance with their needs. Where all
material is not far from the discussion related to merchandises, services, sales, prices, and
bargains. So it will make it easier for trainees to accelerate understanding and language skills.
The purpose of writing this article is to increase the number of national and international
articles related to learning innovation in non-formal education, which is an English language
training program for tourism conscious groups in the Banyuwangi area to prepare superior human
resources towards the era of society 5.0. It is also hoped that the existence of this article can
provide an illustration and become a consideration for improving the quality of education as an
effort to empower the community towards an independent, skilled and competitive community in
the national and international area.
Practically, the benefit of developing the concept of English language skills training for this
tourism-aware group is that it can improve the quality of life of trainees which the participants or
target of the training are Banyuwangi tourism awareness groups, increasing the existence of
Banyuwangi tourism, so that it is better known to the world with guaranteed and friendly services
for local and foreign tourists. So that it is able to increase regional income and make empowered
communities and the Banyuwangi area more advanced.

Method
In the process of finding ideas related to the development of the concept of English
language training based on Virtual pack with the VR Paradise concept, the researchers used
research and development design (Research & Development). By adopting 4 D model or The
Four-D Model. The Four-D Model is a development model that consists of four stages namely
define, design, develop, and disseminate (Thiagrajan, 1974).
The define phase is carried out by gathering information needed to produce material
instruments and the training process. Information collected includes the condition of the trainees
and the activities of the trainees in which these activities will be used as a platform for producing
material. Because the material will be adjusted to the needs of the trainees. Data needed in the
operation of the software that includes activities of managers, sellers, and tour guides in the tourist
sites and also photos, videos, and audio names or conversations that are usually done in every
corner of the tourist destination. In addition, specifically for the training of merchant sellers at the
tourist sites, they also list the names of goods and services in the tourist sites to later be used as
material in English language training.
In addition, the course and training institutions that we are targeting to work together in
organizing this training also conduct an assessment of prospective trainees. The ability and time of
the trainees to be the main focus. Because with this concept it must be adjusted to the busyness of
the citizens of learning so as not to burden. In addition, at this defining stage, researchers began to
design and target stakeholders who were perceived to be able to help expedite the training process.
Such as IT experts from Jember University's computer science faculty, Course and Training
Institutions in the Banyuwangi area, foreign linguists, and the government or related agencies to
help support funding. Because this program requires a lot of funds to make material instruments,
but for the media headset can be tricked with used goods.
The design phase is carried out with the aim of making application prototypes and training
implementation designs. This stage is carried out in three stages namely compiling training
material, determining the format of training activities ranging from simple introduction to the
testing phase, and transforming it in the form of applications and learning modules. The
preparation of training material is based on the results obtained at the define stage. The results are
then arranged according to certain sequences in accordance with aspects of the level of language
skills required. After arranged in such a way then transform it in the form of applications and
learning modules. In addition, in the design phase, a learning module was also developed and the
stages of the training implementation process. Where to start designing training programs,
implementing,

Results and Discussion

Virtual reality is one of the latest technology-based computer applications. This media can
visualize places in the real world into 3-dimensional (3D) views. ElementVirtual World/ Virtual
World is the content of a given medium. Can be a screen play / script. Actors who demonstrate the
game allow us to experience virtual world (Moura. 2017). Immersionthat is the sensation of being
in an environment. In the codepolitan.com article by Kresna G. immersion, it is divided into
several types, namely physical immersion, mentally immersed, Sensory Feedback and
Interactivity.
a. physical immersion : physically / physically entering the media. The trainees can feel
themselves as if entering into a world created in the VR Paradise concept, where there will
be a real feel like entering the tourist site and meeting tourists who are there.
b. mentally immersed : user sensation is in a virtual environment
c. Sensory Feedback is information about the virtual world is displayed to the senses of users
or trainees. Can be visual (most common), audio, or touch.
d. Interactivity: Virtual World responds to user or trainee actions. Computers make this
possible and real time. So if the trainees experience interaction with tourists with English
the user can respond and the animation in VR Paradise can also respond back. So that this
training feels like real and claimed to be more effective in the English language skills
training process.

In a previous study that had been developed by the SLD group (Susila Lan Dharma) from
Singaraja, Bali who had successfully developed the concept of learning English using virtual
reality to elementary students in Singaraja district (nusabali.com). In his research virtual reality
technology is very helpful in learning English elementary school students by carrying the theme of
Animals of the Archipelago. According to Agus, one of the SLDF teams, the effectiveness that
they get using this application is more pronounced and able to compete with other learning media
applications with proof that their VR has been ordered by lecturers, private and state school
teachers, and some students who used for teaching practices because it is interesting and gives a
new impression in teaching and learning activities.
As reported in smarteye.id news that discusses VR in the world of education by the use of
virtual reality technology can increase students' interest in learning because it is a model of
developing new learning media and has not been widely used in general. In addition, an English
language training program needs to be carried out and is able to have a good impact on tourism
operators in Banyuwangi. According to Sandi from the Banyuwangi culture and tourism service,
English language training was effective enough to be a bridge to introduce tourism destinations in
Banyuwangi which had an impact on the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting
Banyuwangi within a few months after there was a program from the government related to
English language courses at the village level.
Based on interviews with Sandi and Ainur Rofiq from the Banyuwangi Culture and
Tourism Office, data were obtained that in the past few years, starting from 2010 to 2017, tourist
visits to Banyuwangi continued to increase. Noted in 2010 Banyuwangi tourist visits around 497
thousand local tourists and 5,205 foreign tourists. In the calculations carried out by the
Banyuwangi District Tourism Office from 2010 to 2016, tourist visits experienced a jump to 2.7
million local tourists and 75 thousand foreign tourists. "For 2017 domestic tourist arrivals reached
4.6 million tourists," said the Head of Marketing of the Culture and Tourism Office of Mr Sandi
(darussalam journal. 2018).
1. Training Planning
In pre training activities there needs to be some planning that must be done including analysis
of training needs and objectives, selection of training participants, determination of training
materials, selection of instructors, and provision of training facilities and infrastructure (Hasan,
2018)
The planning phase of English language training for Pokdarwis in Banyuwangi based on Virtual
Reality technology is divided into four parts, namely:
a. Determine stakeholders who will assist in the implementation of the program. Which
consists of IT experts, foreign linguists, LKP managers, and related agencies.
b. Conduct an assessment of the training objectives in this case pokdarwis which consists of
tour managers, sellers at tourist attractions, and tour guides in tourist attractions. The
assessment is carried out as stated in the method stage. The assessment obtained will be
the material for making training material which will later be included in the application
prototype.
c. Next start designing prototypes and modules for learning. It also carried out the design of
the implementation and made an evaluation instrument. By using Google Cardboard. In
the design of the implementation of the scheduling section and training venue adjusted to
the agreement with the training participants.
 d. The trainees who did not understand the use and mechanism of VR Paradise-based
training were given regular socialization and assistance until they were truly independent
in learning activities. And to save money on virtual reality headsets can be made using
used items such as cardboard and mica.

2. Training Process
At the training process stage includes the two things namely the presentation of training
material by the instructor and the provision of facilities and infrastructure for the training process
(Hasan, 2018). For this reason, at this stage of the training process, the LKP who is appointed as
the organizer must have a record of the results of the assessment of the target participants
Divided according to criteria because for the distribution of material tailored to the needs of
training participants. Tour operators, sellers of goods and services, and tour guides have different
training materials. As for the activities of providing facilities and infrastructure, all required
media such as smartphones use the property of private participants who will later download the
material. For participants who do not understand how to use it will be given guidance and
assistance specifically from the instructor. And for media headsets since the price is not cheap, to
save the funds needed, you can make it yourself with cardboard material.

3. Training Evaluation
At this stage the type of evaluation used is process evaluation, outcome evaluation,
formative evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, and summative evaluation.
a. Process evaluation is an assessment during the process of training activities taking place
by taking into account the condition of the trainees when using virtual reality-based
learning media.
b. Evaluation of results is marked by the emphasis of assessment on the results obtained,
related to the success of the training in improving English language skills.
c. Formative evaluation is carried out with the intention of knowing the effectiveness of
English language training using virtual reality, is it the same as traditional training or has
a significant difference in results.
d. Diagnostic evaluation aims to determine the level of difficulty of trainees with new
learning methods with virtual reality, whether with this technology provides good
effectiveness or not.
e. And summative evaluation is the assessment of training participants whether they meet
the indicators of proficient and skilled in English or not.

Conclusion
The concept of education and training for Banyuwangi tourism awareness groups in
improving English language skills to support tourist destination services using the VR Paradise
concept with a training concept that carries the theme of paradise where the material used is
tailored to the needs and activities of trainees. In this case the tourism actors start from the tour
manager, the seller in the tourist attractions, and the tour guide in the tourist attractions. Virtual
reality-based training is very effective to be used to accelerate understanding and ability because it
is equipped with the ability of real situations and uses mobile / smartphone so that it is claimed to
be able to improve the quality of service in tourist attractions and form superior resources and
empowered communities in the field of tourism through English education and training with the
VR Paradise concept. The concept of English language training for tourism-conscious groups still
requires further research and is also expected to be realized in collaboration with relevant agencies
and experts in IT and English.

Thank-you note
Thank you to the SLD who first gave us a reference in compiling this article, to Mr. Fuad
Hasan as a guide in writing articles, to parents who endlessly support both morally and materially
to the author, and the target plan party that is the tourism awareness group Banyuwangi hopefully
this concept can be realized and able to improve the quality of human resources through non-
formal education in this case with English language training so that tourist destinations are able to
compete globally and provide quality services both in the national and international area in this era
of society 5.0.
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