E-learning: “Solution or Just Escape?”

 

My first words

Online lectures are not a new thing in the line of education, but a system that 

develops amid technological advances. We may say that all areas of life have been 

colored and must adapt to technology. However, it is different from the facts. As 

with the use of digital media in the recommended education system, it is still very 

minimalist in Indonesia. Online lectures are not just about virtualizing teaching 

materials, but also about facilities and internet network penetration. In addition, the 

ability of the lecturers to convey the material and the ability to catch students 

online.

Online lectures are an alternative that is increasingly biased in the midst of 

the outbreak of the corona virus. The pandemic has demanded that all institutions 

use digital media in their learning activities. Until universities compete in 

transmitting their teaching system to be effective. Increasingly sophisticated 

technology accommodates this lecture system. However, there are weaknesses in 

implementing the existing emergency lecture system. The uneven penetration of 

the internet network to all regions.

The minimum internet facility is a problem in Indonesia. Based on data from 

the Central Bureau of Statistics in 2019, the internet penetration rate in rural areas 

averages 51.91 percent, while in urban areas it is 78.08 percent. This penetration 

rate is certainly an obstacle. use of the internet across the country. Therefore, of 

course there are many people who are not prosperous in penetrating the internet 

network. Especially if online lectures are followed from villages that are far from 

the city center. This shows that low quality network processing will have an impact 

on the slow learning process. The effectiveness and quality of lectures being low is 

also difficult to understand quickly.

Standard social media ownership with online adoption. Distance learning 

media ownership is also very lacking. Of course the media or the means are the 

determinants If it is still lacking, not even there will not reach the online system. 

The media can be a measure of the extent to which online lectures are still minimal or  maximal. In addition, the lecturers and students are stuttering in accessing online. 

Because it could be complete network and facilities, but stuttering one or both of 

them will also affect. These weaknesses have led to various feelings of 

dissatisfaction and ineffectiveness of the emergency online system during the 

Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, online lectures in the midst of this pandemic are a 

solution or just an escape?

E-learning: “Solution or just escape?”

Educational institutions are considered a responsive sector in the midst of a 

pandemic, this is because they have the potential to increase the spread of Covid-19. 

Not only that, schools with a large number of students also have an effect. So that 

both schools and campuses must close. The Minister of Education and Culture has 

implemented a home learning system policy. Learning takes place from home.

Learning from home makes the slogan of independent learning more visible. 

What does independence mean in the context of learning from home? From the 

visible phenomenon and general impression, the learning process is out of control. 

Learning from home for the context of elementary-high school students is a 

vacation. It is undeniable that the effectiveness of learning in remote observation 

from educators and directly guided by parents only takes place in the early weeks. It 

is hoped that staying at home during the pandemic will remain productive in 

learning. However, sometimes people actually feel free from learning. In this case, 

he applies the principle ‘Up to me’. Learning from home is considered a policy used 

to contain accusations of an empty education system during Covid-19.

At a level such as lectures, the learning from home policy is strongly 

supported by the optimization of the use of communication technology facilities. 

From this, then we get to know the term ‘e-learning’. The mechanism is entirely 

given to technology. Online lectures with the application of video conferencing, 

assessments and submissions of assignments using the online system, to attendance 

are also carried out using a virtual system. In this online-based learning system, it 

assumes that all students and educators understand the technology and features it 

operates. If not, new problems arise because of internal ignorance. learning process.

During the pandemic, education felt a leap starting at the end of February 

2020. After the government's instructions to study from home, work from home, or 

worship from home, etc., made the situation in Indonesia different. This also has an 

impact on the educational process. How could I not, almost 100% of school 

activities are carried out from (at) home. With this phenomenon technology has 

become dominant in society. The whole life is filled with the online world. 

Attendance, study materials, assignments, quizzes, and various exams are 

conducted from (at) home with a variety of existing applications. With this system, 

it is as if everyone is clever with the online system. However, the phenomenon in 

society shows a big obstacle. We need to realize that not all students come from 

upper middle class families. Not all students and teachers in Indonesia enjoy this 

‘millennial’ process. Not all of them have devices and laptops. Some have but it is 

difficult to get internet access. Even in certain areas there is no internet network. On 

the other hand, the capabilities and creativity of the lecturers are a big demand in 

the online lecture system. Besides that, the student's persistence and seriousness 

have an effect. The two became related. This is certainly a determining factor in 

implementing online lectures.

This system is actually a transition from the face to face method (short 

distance) to the screen to screen method (long distance). The basis is the real-time 

availability of all relevant information through the network by connecting people, 

objects and systems optimized, independently organized and cross-network value 

creation that can fit various criteria, such as cost, availability and resources. Of 

course, this system has a very important goal of helping students and teachers in 

any situation and anywhere still be able to carry out lectures.

Then, how effective is this online learning model in influencing the learning 

process of students? From the visible phenomenon, the intensity of student interest 

in taking online lectures is very small. In fact, most of them create boredom in the 

learning process. Some students feel that they miss the moment of direct encounter 

with their favorite lecturers. Like nothing was learned during this semester. These 

were the spontaneous reactions given by students regarding the virtual learning 

system.

The intensity of interest in online learning systems certainly makes someone 

unproductive and chooses to be absent. In fact, presence is one of the benchmarks 

in helping the process of internalizing education in learning activities. Of the many 

students, most have chosen to return to their hometowns and have a vacation. No 

lectures. Lectures are burdensome because they require data and have to find a good 

place to connect. Online lectures in other words add to the burden of lectures 

because you have to buy data so you can enter video conference classes and 

download and upload lecture assignments.

It can be concluded that the online lecture system in the midst of a pandemic 

is a solution as well as an escape. Why is that? It can be said that the solution is if 

the university has provided input and practical skills in penetrating various 

e-learning facilities. Consolidation in terms of facilities and skills of teachers is an 

important standard in online lectures. Meanwhile, on the other hand, it can be said 

to be an escape if the lecture process is confused, either because of the minimal 

means or skills of the lecturers. This is confirmed by the many complaints from 

students. Online lectures are just titles. Many lecturers were confused, in a short 

time they had to learn various online learning tools. Due to demands to immediately 

continue the learning process, the method of error and error was forced applied. 

Then what happens is the teachers only and always give online assignments every 

time of study.

The main responsibility of educators is that they are not only aware of the 

general principles of shaping the present experience by creating certain 

environmental conditions, but they also accept in concrete terms the things around 

them which are very conducive to the acquisition of experiences that lead to growth 

and development. the attainment of knowledge obtained by students. However, the 

current situation puts a lot of burden on students and makes the lecture experience 

boring, even to the point of saturation and has an impact on the unqualified 

education obtained. Students gasping for breath following the learning process. In 

an instant the tasks piled up. They are required to transform into independent 

learners overnight. This is based on the stuttering of teachers who do not have 

special skills in this field or the lack of seriousness from the university or faculty in 

responding and maximizing development technology in education. This is real when the world of education is faced with a pandemic situation. There are so many 

educational institutions that are not ready to implement their learning systems 

online. If this happens, then it could follow and be forced. It feels like the old style 

education is still very dominant.

My final word

Online lectures in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic are often said to be an 

emergency curriculum. This curriculum can be said to be a new chapter in the 

education system in Indonesia. The availability of software, internet access, 

electricity, gadgets and computers is the hallmark of the implementation of this 

model. The characteristics of the 21st century education process always meet 

challenges and also bring new opportunities. This comes as a consequence of the 

development of Science and Technology.

Educational changes stemming from the development of a virtual curriculum 

model will have an impact on the creation of a new style of education system. 

Education itself must be democratic, education for everyone. This is in line with 

Article 31 paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution, “All citizens have the right to 

education”, so all students and teachers should receive equal treatment, providing 

skills and skills that are in accordance with the latest technological advances, global 

communication capabilities.

Hopefully this Covid-19 outbreak will not only bring panic in the public 

sphere, but this will become one of the starting points for the Indonesian nation, 

especially the government and related ministries to fully concentrate on mobilizing 

the entire education budget this year to create a virtual curriculum; teaching and 

learning process via online technology, while preparing supporting infrastructure, 

availability of internet network, competitive democratic managerial, and 

sustainable community involvement. Equitable quality and quantity of education in

Indonesia is an obligation that must be prioritized, in accordance with the mandate 

of the 5th principle of Pancasila; social justice for all the people of Indonesia. Fair 

Indonesia; the same feeling-one feeling, the educational process must provide 

comfort for all students and educators.

Daftar Pustaka 

G. Elena, Popkova, V. Yulia Aleksei, Ragulina Bogoviz, V (Ed)., Industry 4.0: 

Industrial Revolution of the 21st Century, Poland: Polish Academy of 

Sciences, 2019. 

Kompas, Edisi Senin, 13 April 2020. 

Kompas, Edisi Kamis, 30 April 2020. 

Indraswara, Angga., Opini Kompas, Jumat, 15 Mei 2020. 

Sendler, Ulrich (Ed), The Internet of Things: Industrie 4.0 Unleashed, Regensburg,

Germany: Zweigniederlassung, 2016. 

JUARA 2 | ESSAY BIG COMPETITION EASA 2020

By: Lilis Anggraini (STAI Al-Anwar Sarang Rembang)