Challenges in online learning during Covid-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from universities in Indonesia

Higher education faces alarming challenges due to the global Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Learning activities are transferred into online environment. Higher education institutions must adapt from conventional face-to-face learning (direct learning) to fully digitalized learning. This study aims to examine how the Covid-19 phenomenon changes the learning experience of higher education in Indonesia. In particular, this study reveals the preferences of online learning platforms that are often used by lecturers in Indonesia, the conceptions of online teaching and learning, and the challenges faced during the teaching and learning process. This research involved 57 lecturers from various universities in Aceh, Indonesia. The data were analyzed using a qualitative approach. The results showed the preferences of using online learning platform that 77.2% of 57 participants often used WhatsApp Group, 56.1% used Zoom, and 29.8% used Google Classroom. The second finding is related to the conception of online teaching and learning during Covid-19. Broadly speaking, the participants had a teaching pattern of delivering material, asking questions, and having question-and-answer session or discussion. This pattern indicates that the concept of learning is more oriented towards teaching-focused than learning-focused. Finally, we found two categories of challenges faced by lecturers during the teaching and learning, which are related to: (1) facilities or infrastructure, and (2) human resources. This study indicates that online learning practices that are different from conventional learning require special skills and knowledge at the learning planning, implementation, and learning evaluation stages. Continuous development of lecturer professionalism needs serious attention.

Higher education faces alarming challenges due to the global Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Learning activities are transferred into online environment. Higher education institutions must adapt from conventional face-to-face learning (direct learning) to fully digitalized learning. This study aims to examine how the Covid-19 phenomenon changes the learning experience of higher education in Indonesia. In particular, this study reveals the preferences of online learning platforms that are often used by lecturers in Indonesia, the conceptions of online teaching and learning, and the challenges faced during the teaching and learning process. This research involved 57 lecturers from various universities in Aceh, Indonesia. The data were analyzed using a qualitative approach. The results showed the preferences of using online learning platform that 77.2% of 57 participants often used WhatsApp Group, 56.1% used Zoom, and 29.8% used Google Classroom. The second finding is related to the conception of online teaching and learning during Covid-19. Broadly speaking, the participants had a teaching pattern of delivering material, asking questions, and having question-and-answer session or discussion. This pattern indicates that the concept of learning is more oriented towards teaching-focused than learning-focused. Finally, we found two categories of challenges faced by lecturers during the teaching and learning, which are related to: (1) facilities or infrastructure, and (2) human resources. This study indicates that online learning practices that are different from conventional learning require special skills and knowledge at the learning planning, implementation, and learning evaluation stages. Continuous development of lecturer professionalism needs serious attention.