EXPLORING LEARNING COMMUNITIES: CASE STUDIES FROM INDONESIA TO IBASHO IN JAPAN

Abstract

Individuals are knowledgeable beings who are well aware of their actions. The desire for knowledge acquisition and sharing is distributed through communities. A community forms due to shared goals, perspectives, and knowledge, establishing rules and deep-seated beliefs among its members. Learning communities in Indonesia are typically formed by individuals or groups with similar interests in a specific field or topic, including formal education, skills, arts, technology, or other relevant subjects. These communities are driven by the desire to share knowledge, enhance skills, or even build social networks. In Japan, "Ibasho" shares a similar concept with learning communities, focusing more on personal development in mental and emotional aspects by raising awareness of an individual's value within society. This research aims to explore and further understand learning communities in Indonesia and "Ibasho" in Japan. The study employs a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, using literature review as the data collection method. The data utilized are secondary data from experimental research findings in various literature sources obtained through the internet, including books, theses, and national or international journals. The results indicate that the nature of learning communities is highly dependent on the uniqueness of the local communities in which they exist. Therefore, the similarities and differences highlight the adaptation of learning communities to the needs and local contexts of each country. The existence of learning communities within society brings significant benefits, serving not only as a place to enhance individual skills and knowledge but also playing a key role in building social networks, addressing mental health issues, social problems, educational inequalities, and creating an inclusive environment.