BLENDED LEARNING SHALL TURN INTO A TREND DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC (By: Muchlas Samani)

Every time I present a discussion about learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, I always assume, could it be that this pandemic is one of The Almighty God’s plans to give us educators a lesson? Haven’t we experienced the same thing in the use of digital technology (IT)? We almost never withdraw cash at the bank because it is easier for us to use the ATM. Even we are benefitted from the function of mobile banking if we want to pay or transfer some amount of money to our family or relatives. When we are traveling somewhere by train, we purchase the ticket online and check into the platform using a machine. E-magazines, e-journals, or e-books have also become trendS where we can download and read them online. The question is, why haven’t we tried online learning (e-instruction)?

For six months, we have been forced to conduct online learning and it seems that teachers, lecturers, school students, and college students are already accustomed to it. Online meetings are generally held as well. We have to admit that there are still plenty of obstacles and disadvantages. Nevertheless, there also exist a lot of benefits of the implementation above.

Not all topics or competencies can be held online. Some are easy, some are not, and some are impossible to execute online. Our fellow teachers and lecturers are surely aware of that. Teachers can guide the students in browsing informative cognitive-related aspects online. Google acts as the guide. However, if they do an analysis of the information, they seemingly still need intensive assistance. One of which is formula application which seems difficult to do it online and when it is related to skills. The simple and undangerous ones can be held though not easily. However, if the movement or competence is too complex, thus it requires real assistance.

Some character aspects and those which are related to “sense” require exemplary hence physical interaction is necessary. Of course, it can be exemplified through video but only in a particular stage. Especially when we have been aware that character growth needs long-term attention and consistency on daily basis.

On the other hand, online learning also gives us positive impacts. The students who are usually passive in class suddenly turn active or often deliver questions. Students are trained to seek information. During face-to-face learning, teachers tend to give information with the lecturing method, while during online learning students are used to looking for sources on the internet. Online meetings are also effective because the participants can join from anywhere else. They become active in discussions as well. Even recently there are plenty of webinars and most of them are free.

The question may arise, if during the pandemic the schools are ‘reopen’, will online learning stop, and we be back to how it used to be? Before analyzing, let me tell you a story. A few weeks ago, I met a friend who is active in the marketing field, and then we talked. The explanation given is that malls shall function differently. Not for a trading setting but for a place where people can go sightseeing as well as becoming showrooms. Then, where can we do the transaction? In an online setting. People will visit malls to check on the goods or even try them but they do not purchase them directly. After finding the goods and being done sightseeing, they will go home and buy them online. Why? Because the price is relatively lower. The entrepreneurs have realized that prediction, thus in addition to opening outlets at the mall, they establish online shops as well.

Are all those goods bought online safe? Apparently not. If some particular ones such as standard products, let’s say a specific clothing or footwear brand, it is allegedly safe to purchase online. However, if it occurs to typical goods, e.g. batik shirts, and gold jewelry without any specific standard, it would be better to buy in conventional stores.

What about online food delivery? Will restaurants be stricken by the absence of visitors? According to my friend, they won’t be but there will be changes. People who visit restaurants and stalls are those who want to relax with their friends. In addition, the food’s taste likely will ‘change’ if they do takeaways. Therefore, restaurants will not be much eroded like those outlets at the mall which sell raw food. Will the online delivery stop? It won’t. Hungry people do not always want to relax, thus they will likely use this service. Thus, both of which shall go on side-by-side.
Well, how about the learning process? I am convinced that if the pandemic has reached an end, online learning will still be held and conducted side-by-side with ‘traditional learning’. That is what we call blended learning, or simply a mixture of both. It does not mean that students come to school. They can be in the classroom but they study the materials online. It does not mean that teachers are absent. They are present but will aid the students if they encounter difficulties. After students attend online learning, they can continue doing exercises with direct interaction with the teachers it used to be.

Now, we need to think about and prepare for which methods should be carried out online and by face-to-face interaction with teachers. In regard to online or face-to-face learning, probably the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects do not exactly need a similar method. The approaches used for elementary, middle, and high schools, and higher education are probably different. All of these are relatively new and none of us are experienced in this. It might be better if all teachers, lecturers, and especially those learning experts try out innovation to welcome the new era that is blended learning. Hopefully.