ANALYSIS OF THE UTILIZATION OF MAIN MATERIAL BOOKS AND VIRTUAL READING ROOMS TO ENHANCE THE ACADEMIC LITERACY OF NONPENDAS STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITAS TERBUKA

Abstract

Previous studies on distance education at open universities have generally examined the role of Main Material Books (Buku Materi Pokok/BMP) and the Virtual Reading Room (Ruang Baca Virtual/RBV) separately, without analyzing their integrative potential. This study addresses that gap by investigating how the combined use of BMP and RBV can systematically strengthen the academic literacy of non-education program (NonPendas) students at Universitas Terbuka (UT). Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the research synthesizes 28 secondary documents published between 2018 and 2024, including peer-reviewed journal articles, institutional reports, and digital education publications. Thematic content analysis, guided by academic literacy theory, reveals that BMP provides a structured and curriculum-based foundation for systematic reading and writing, while RBV enhances digital literacy, information evaluation, and collaborative learning through diverse scholarly resources. Their integration not only supports self-directed learning but also cultivates critical and reflective skills essential for success in online higher education. Conceptually, this study contributes a blended academic literacy model that bridges print-based structure and digital exploration. Practically, it offers recommendations for embedding RBV resources within BMP modules, enhancing tutors’ roles as digital literacy facilitators, and strengthening digital literacy training. However, as the study relies exclusively on secondary sources, the findings remain conceptual. Future empirical research is needed to validate the effectiveness of the BMP–RBV integration in diverse distance education contexts.