Challenges in Implementing Blended Learning During Pandemic

By Adi Permana

Editor Vera Citra Utami

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id—Moving with the times, technology continues to develop according to human needs and demands. One of them is in the field of education. Technology is the main weapon in optimizing the learning process.

Yusep Rosmansyah, Ph.D. from the Information Technology Research Group has a view about learning technology. He briefly explained teaching methods and the impact of using technology on education in the Public Lecture "Future Learning Technology" on Friday (19/03/2021).

According to Yusep, technology is needed to create fun, experience-based, effective, and interactive learning. Not eliminating the essence of education but complementing conventional learning methods.

“Here, educators do not play an absolute role. They only explain the learning material from an essential and philosophical point of view,” said Yusep. For this reason, constructivism, behaviorism, cognitivism, and so on need to be put on top through blended learning.

Furthermore, Yusep said that activities in blended learning are carried out through learning in a certain context, interaction with teachers and teaching content, as well as collaboration between students. This learning is actualized through integration between offline and online, development of computer competence and social skills simultaneously, as well as combining experimental and conceptual concepts.

However, Yosep discovers that in fact, education organizations are still facing some challenges. "These include demand for technology that exceeds availability, the need for regular provision of teachers and teaching students, and the lack of support from the technological aspect," he said.

Learners also face obstacles while doing blended learning, such as self-awareness, technological literacy and competence, self-isolation, ineffectiveness of technology, and many more.

Ultimately, technology has become a necessity in the field of education, as evidenced by the existence of blended learning. Although this learning method still faces several challenges, all stakeholders can benefit from it. It remains to be realized through collaboration to advance education and learning.

Reporter: Zahra Annisa Fitri (Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota, 2019)
Translator: Aghisna Syifa Rahmani (Biologi, 2020)