UNS – For almost two months, the distance learning policy or learning from home has been implemented by students in various regions in Indonesia. On Saturday (9/5/2020), the Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho attended as a speaker in an online discussion conducted by Mulawarman Education Student Alliance (Aliansi Mahasiswa Pendidikan Mulawarman). Besides Prof. Jamal there was another speaker from the host; Harry Setya Nugraha, S.H., M.H as a faculty member of Faculty of Law Universitas Mulawarman. The theme of the agenda was Is Online Lecture Challenge or Opportunity?
Online learning system has been planned since Prof. Mohamad Nasir held a position as the Minister of Research and Higher Education (Menristekdikti). According to the initial plan, online learning is expected to reach 30% level in each university. However, with the current condition, the plan has been 100% implemented by almost all universities in Indonesia. In UNS, at least since 16 March 2020, the learning process has conducted online.
On this occasion, Prof. Jamal explained that the disruption in Higher Education Tridarma services took place in this Covid-19 crisis. UNS took a policy to continue implementing Higher Education Tridharma by rescheduling university’s activities. Most of the activities are conducted online, starting from learning process to the graduation ceremony.
The head of the Council of Rector of Indonesian Stated University (CRISU) explained that online lecture can be synchronous, for example, through zoom cloud meeting and asynchronous for example through WAG, Spada, open courseware, email, text broadcast and other means of communication.
“Online lectures with this system can provide three benefits; it works effectively, efficiently, well documented, while still fulfilling the required learning hours,” explained Prof. Jamal.
On the implementation of research and development, UNS developed the university hospital as a center for COVID-19 research. The community service function is implemented through COVID-19 thematic KKN conducted online by UNS students. The program is rescheduled from August to April-May 2020.
Prof. Jamal added that online lectures are not as perfect as a direct classroom lecture. The implementation of this type of learning requires a good combination of the facilities and human resource aptitude. The adaptability with the current condition is important to be noted. For example, lecturer or student are expected to adapt to the development of the technology system used in an online class.
“If compared, it is not nearly as good as classroom learning, but in this circumstance, the Higher Education tri dharma must go on,” conveyed Prof. Jamal. Humas UNS/Ratri