Nyastra: A Digital Tool for Learning and Preserving Balinese Script

Abstract

The declining interest among Bali’s youth in learning Balinese script, juxtaposed with a local mandate for its public use (Governor Regulation No. 80 of 2018), presents a critical challenge for cultural preservation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the Nyastra web-based application (https://nyastra.co.id/) as a digital tool to support the learning and accurate transliteration of Balinese script. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined a quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest design with qualitative case-study observations at State Junior High School (SMP N) 1 Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Grounded in theories of digital learning and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), the intervention involved 22 8th-grade students using the application over a structured period. Quantitative analysis revealed a substantial improvement in transliteration accuracy, with the class average score increasing from 42.35% to 74.12%. Qualitative data indicated high user satisfaction (rated 10/10), increased classroom engagement, and ancillary benefits in English pronunciation. However, findings also identified technical limitations in handling complex script rules, underscoring the application's role as a complementary pedagogical tool rather than a standalone solution. The study concludes that the Nyastra application is an effective digital medium that can bridge policy goals with educational practice, offering a viable model for technology-enhanced cultural preservation in the digital era.