The Practice of Digital Learning (D-Learning) in the Study from Home (SFH) Policy: Teachers' Perceptions

Abstract

This article investigates the efficacy of Digital Learning implementation in SFH policy from teachers' viewpoints. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia in mid-March 2020 required the Government to take a decisive step in the form of Study from Home (SFH). The policy was aimed at preserving the quality of students' mental and psychological learning while socially and physically distancing. In this descriptive qualitative study, the interviews were conducted online with four teachers in various high schools in Bulukumba Regency, Indonesia. It was also supported by documents. This research found that teachers prefer to use WhatsApp and Google Classroom as the platforms to organize D-Learning. These applications are more comfortable to use, easy to access, and more familiar in their environment. Teachers perceive that D-Learning modifies the learning process so that it becomes more flexible. It also results in more autonomous learners. However, teachers are aware they are not yet ready to provide good technology-based material. They face difficulties in assessing students' progress from home. Students were also found to lack enthusiasm in responding to the learning content. Besides, inadequate facilities and infrastructure limit the students' access to D-Learning. As a result, D-Learning in SFH policy has not been effective for the students' cognitive and affective development and learning goals cannot be maximally achieved. Thus, it is suggested that the government support all efforts to adjust quickly to the D-Learning system's practice, such as by broadcasting more educational content through electronic media and publishing materials of pedagogical specialists for working in D-Learning environments.