Weaving Edu Tapestry

Blended learning, a system that combines online learning and face-to-face instruction is the most inventive learning method in the 21st century, and the best option to facilitate learning in the new normal era. Our entry to the new normal is the best opportunity to build Blended Learning . Introduction Since last March, COVID 19 has suddenly moved students to learn from the classroom to their living room or bedroom. UNESCO estimates that around 1.6 billion (90%) students in 191 countries, including 68.2 million students from all levels of education in Indonesia have been learning from home. The majority of students learn online, and some others learn offline through television or radio or books and worksheets. In Indonesia, it soon turned out that online learning does not work. It even emerged problems for many students. Although it has consumed many students’ energy and internet quota, it does not help them achieve their learning objectives. The 213 complaints received by KPA...

Blended Leraning (BL) atau hybrid learning, pembelajaran yang mengombinasikan pembelajaran daring ( online learning ) dengan pembelajaran tatap muka, merupakan metode pembelajaran terbaik di Abad 21 dan sangat sesuai diterapkan di era Normal Baru. Momentum memasuki era Normal Baru saat ini adalah kesempatan terbaik untuk membangun BL.  Image Credit:  https://elearningindustry.com/blended-learning-experiences-building-deliver Pendahuluan Sejak Maret 2020 hingga saat ini, Covid 19 telah secara paksa memindahkan    pembelajaran dari ruang kelas ke ruang keluarga atau kamar tidur siswa. Agar pembelajaran tetap berlangsung selama pandemi itu,  UNESCO  memperkirakan sekitar 1,6 miliar (90%) siswa di 191 negara, termasuk 68.2 juta siswa dari seluruh jenjang pendidikan di Indonesia belajar dari rumah. Mayoritas siswa mengikuti  online learning  atau pembelajaran daring (dalam jaringan) melalui internet, dan sebagian lagi mengikuti  off line...

In addition to the skills suggested by World Economic Forum (2016) , i.e. complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, coordinating with others, English proficiency is also crucial to master by the millennials if they want to thrive and contribute to their nation-building in the Industrial Revolution 4.0. English today is not only the first global language in a general sense but also a crucial factor for both individual and national development. To an individual, English proficiency is not only necessary for face-to-face speaking, phone conversation, or email with clients and colleagues but also for professional growth and advancement. To a country, the population’s English proficiency will ease international trade, and international trade is ‘the engine of economic growth’.   The huge benefits of English proficiency at an individual level was reported by British Council ’s ( 2013 ) . It revealed that “Improving English skills (drive) up ...

Eager to know their real reading practice, I recently conducted an informal conversation focusing on what, how much, and how long they read per week with three students on my campus. Here are their responses. When asked about their view of the essence of reading, they unanimously agreed that reading is not only important but also crucial in learning. For them, the essence of reading for mastering the course content, enlarging knowledge, building vocabulary, promoting thinking skills, and improving writing skills cannot be replaced by other skills or tools. When asked what and how much they read, and how long it takes to read it, the first student, majoring in Biology education, stated that she regularly read textbooks and articles assigned by her lecturers. ‘Now I’m taking 5 classes, and each class necessitates me to read at a chapter of the textbook. Sometimes additional texts like articles and lab reports are added. I estimate I read 110 pages per week, and I need about 2 hou...

Nobody doubts the essence of reading in education. In addition to its role as the main way to enrich one’s experiences for constructing knowledge, reading is also the most effective tool for sharpening analytical and critical thinking, developing creativity, enhancing concentration, enriching vocabulary, improving writing skills, and so on. Without appropriate reading skills, a student will likely fail in learning. However, Gen Zers, the generation cohort which begins to flood higher learning today, seem to suffer from a crisis in reading. I identified this through my daily interactions with them. Since the end of the 1990s, realizing my students’ keenness of using technology in their daily lives, I have implemented a blended learning approach. I expect this approach can combine face-to-face instruction good educational aspects with the accessibility and convenience offered by technology to improve the students’ learning experience. After several years’ experimentation, the fl...