A group of UGM students has successfully created an innovative product, a Monopoly-based game learning tool for local government accounting called “POTANDA.”
With POTANDA, they hope to assist students in better understanding the subject of local government accounting.
With this tool, learning about local government accounting can be more enjoyable. They aim for it to become a pioneer of creative educational games that enhance intellectual intelligence.
This tool received funding in 2023 as part of the Student Creativity Program in entrepreneurship. The POTANDA team comprises four Vocational College students: M. Davit Rivaldo, Dai Malik Haryoko, Elizabeth Jessica Benedicta, and Farhan Hanif.
Davit Rivaldo explained that the idea for creating this game was driven by the increasing demand for local financial management due to the growth and complexity of various regions in Indonesia, including provinces and regencies.
Data from the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia in 2021 revealed that during the 2016-2020 period, not all local governments received an unqualified opinion on their financial reports.
This indicates that local government financial reporting quality is still low, and the presentation does not meet the applicable government accounting standards.
One reason for this is the human resources’ lack of competence in the field. Educational institutions must improve the abilities, knowledge, and skills of those who prepare financial reports.
Unfortunately, a market survey among public sector accounting students at UGM showed that 60% found local government accounting challenging. 90% of students desired a combination of learning methods, such as modules and games.
Rivaldo stated that POTANDA is a modification of the traditional Monopoly game. However, it incorporates new designs, content, and technological aspects.
“With this approach, students and learners will find it easy to play the game without complex adaptations,” he explained.
POTANDA is supported by Augmented Reality (AR) technology, which displays three-dimensional regional icons that can be scanned using a device and Quick Response Codes that provide detailed answers to each question on Monopoly component cards.
One student, Brillianto, mentioned that POTANDA had been a helpful tool in preparing for midterm exams. He found it enjoyable, interactive, and more varied than classroom learning.
Rumiyati, a lecturer teaching local government accounting at the UGM Vocational College, expressed that POTANDA could be an interactive teaching aid for practical classes.
She noted that their teaching methods had been based on conventional practical modules and government accounting journals.
She hopes that POTANDA can create a new atmosphere in the classroom and make it easier for students to understand accounting.
Author: Agung Nugroho