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that they only used F-learn in a few or even just one activity. This will be elaborated in the next point of discussion.
B. Experience – Activities in F-Learn
The idea of distance learning is to facilitate its users to conduct teaching and learning process without requiring to physically attending a certain place
Broadfield, 2004. Even so, there are many activities that can be done through distance learning applications. There are two primary types of distance learning
activities, synchronous and asynchronous Hines Pearl, 2004. Synchronous learning can be effectively used for explaining difficult concepts, introducing new
topics, delivering lectures via web conference or teleconference, hosting guest speakers, and question and answer sessions. While asynchronous learning can be
effectively used for in-depth discussions that take place over time, role playing, application activities based on case study scenarios, one-to-one interactions
among students and activities that require more independent thinking time Johns Hopkins University School of Education, Center for Technology in Education,
2010 Most of participants experience the use of F-learn at least in two different
courses with different teachers, so it is expected that they can give various experiences Table 2.
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Table 2 : Participants‘ experience in using F-learn
Get information Checking class description, checking syllabus,
checking grades, checking teacher‘s accouncement, downloading materials
Submit assignments Submit upload assignments
Discuss in a discussion forum
Discuss in a discussion forum
Some teachers post their class description on F-learn and let the students check it by themselves online. It usually contains an overview about the goal of
the class, the activities that students are going to have, some information like for example the class is a prerequisite class for other class. This became favorite
answer of participants since Yayuk and Cipluk and most of the other participants mentioned this activity. Here is what Yayuk said,
―To inform the students about class description….‖Yayuk also mentioned the same thing ―To see class
description, ….― –Cipluk Students can check syllabus of the class on F-learn which usually covers
detail information about description of course content, student learning outcomes, required textbook and prerequisites, assignments, due dates, and grading policy,
time requirements for the course, exams and late work policy, attendance, drop, and grade grievance policies. Here, participants found it beneficially because they
cannot lose the syllabus in anyway.
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“To inform the students about the syllabus….. And if I could choose, I prefer that teacher distribute the syllabus via F-learn
rather than printed in papers since it could easily lose”–Watik.
In addition to syllabus, Teachers post the grades on F-learn so students
can check it online. Some teachers even made in the order from the highest to the lowest grade. Participants said that this strategy gives them a challenge to get
good grades. “…and to see grades. And I think showing grades on F-learn this
gives a challenge because you do not want your friends seeing your name in the bottom of the order”–Kodir.
Students receive the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester which contain time table, but when there is a sudden change of the date or the
activity for the following meeting, teacher posts the announcement on F-learn. Atik states,
“Teachers used F-learn to to inform the students about the schedule, and to announce students if there is a change of the schedule..
.” The announcement is also sometime only a reminder for students of deadline, quizzes
or tests, like what Lastri said, “as a reminder of tasks and tests…”
Sometime, teachers use electronic book e-book instead of printed
textbook. Teachers then store the e-book on F-learn which can be downloaded by
students who are enrolled in the course. Endang said, “Teachers use it to
distribute materials for students to download them ….”
Submitting assignment is another favorite feature that teachers use on F- learn. Students are asked to go to certain link and they are directed to an upload
button where they can submit their assignment through it. This fact is supported
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by Marni
who mentions,
“To submit assignments….” and Diah, “….uploadsubmit assignments.”
In discussion forum, non-real-time, teachers post an issue in form of
statement and or question which students are required to solve or discuss by commenting on it. Aminah said,
“…and to discuss a certain topic in a discussion forum
”
Participants ‘ answers indicate that the participants are experiencing
narrow activities of using F-learn, most of the activities tend to be more like the teacher posts something and the students check them in later time. It is clear that
F-learn is only used for asynchronous activities. All of the participants did not have any experience in using F-learn as synchronous system, so it leaves a huge
opportunity for F-learn to be explored more or to be maximized of its use.
C. Experience – The effectiveness of F-Learn
