Independent Learning at Home

Face-to-face lectures in at least 58 colleges have been replaced by online learning methods. A number of regions have instructed schools to ask their students to conduct independent learning at home.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Syiah Kuala University Banda Aceh implemented online learning methods for students to anticipate the corona virus on Monday (16/3/2020).

As reported, dozens of universities in Indonesia have issued an advisory to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The Alliance of Indonesian Higher Education Organizers reported that as of March 14, 58 tertiary institutions had implemented online learning methods. The measure was taken to reduce the potency of crowds to spread COVID-19, which has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic (Kompas, 3/16/2020).

In addition, a number of regional heads have also issued policies limit face-to-face teaching and learning activities in primary and secondary schools in line with the central government’s appeals. The home learning policy was adopted because the government wanted to limit crowds. The period of limitation of face-to-face teaching and learning activities also varies, between a week to two weeks.

Also read : Stop the Spread of Covid-19 Immediately

The policy has not been followed by a clear system and procedure for learning at home. Teaching materials that students must study at home are unclear or cannot be immediately distributed by the teachers to students because the policy was issued suddenly.

For universities, it is not difficult to force students to learn independently at home, either through the online network or not. University students are more independent than students in primary and secondary schools. University students are also accustomed to accepting assignments to study at home and complete the learning process at the campus face-to-face with their teachers.

Also read : The Fast Handling of COVID-19

KOMPAS/ERIKA KURNIA

A junior high school student learns the lesson materials that his teacher shares through online documents at his home on Monday (16/3/2020).

Even if the method of learning on campus is changed with the online learning method, there is a model that has been implemented for more than 35 years by the Open University. Many private and state tertiary institutions, including those from abroad, have developed online learning systems. The acting director general of the Higher Education Department at the Education and Culture Ministry Nizam believes the number of universities implementing the online learning will increase.The problem is related to the clarity of the learning policy at home for students of elementary and secondary education levels, whose authority is in the hands of local governments. Moreover, if the spread of the Covid-19 continues to grow. There are indeed digital technology-based learning websites where students can visit to study at home, including those established by the Education and Culture Ministry. However, does the learning material on the page fit into the curriculum?

Learning strategies need to be prepared if the situation caused the Covid-19 gets worse. Teachers and schools must intensify communication with their students too so that teaching-learning activities are not stopped. This is not a holiday.