THE USE OF E-LEARNING FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS

One of facilities that should be applied in formal education e.g. university is called E-learning. It is necessary to be understood that e-learning is able to be defined as a learning system with the use of electronics. Usually this learning uses computers. Learning system by using e-learning system can be provided as part or all of the materials being taught. For the whole materials, e-learning system is initially given in an open university. As for formal education, e-learning system is given only as a supplement outside the teaching and learning process in the classroom. E-learning is a media electronic to support the students’ facility of study. E-learning is equipped as a forum of discussion, to collect the task, and giving materials. E-learning can be an innovation to provide students’ means of learning. In addition e-learning can make the students easy to study everywhere.

A university has to have an official site that all the students are able to sign and log in if the process of teaching and learning uses e-learning system. Based on that site some of the lecturers can communicate with their students. The lecturers also use e-learning in different ways of teaching. Some of them use e-learning as a supplement of their teaching materials. Others use e-learning as a substitute way if the lecturers could not come to the class, then the process of teaching and learning is replaced by the tasks given to the students. Some other lecturers use e-learning system in the way that students have to read the materials, perform the exercises based on the materials, and submit the results to the lecturer. The lecturer checks the students’ works, returns the works, and discuss the works. Based on the students’ works, the lecturer could give the score. The process of e-learning system will be discussed in paragraphs below.

In e-learning usually lecturers give the students some introduction about the lesson that will be studied in the class. The students discuss the materials or problem that are requested by lecturers. The students can write something that relate to the topic on the discussion. In addition the students can give some explanation about the lesson. Then, the students can post it in e-learning. All of the members can read that posting. In addition the reader must give take an opinion on the other students’ explanation.

E-learning as the facility, in some cases, can make the students easy to study. Most of the students appreciate this system. Students can submit their assignment easier. This method can be faster than if they write down on paper. E-learning is also provided by due date. It makes the students be more discipline to submit their task. In addition e-learning will minimalize the use of paper. In Indonesia situation, Open University of Univeritas Terbuka has been providing e-learning facilities for its students.

The Indonesia Government allows universities to use e-learning system. Republic Act no. 20 of 2003 on National Education System, article 31 states that the distance education is able to be hold on all lines, levels and types of education. Moreover, distance education organized in various forms, modes and coverage hold facilities and services supported by learning and assessment system which ensures the quality of graduates in accordance with national education standards. The form of distance education includes educational programs in writing (correspondence), radio, audio / video, TV and / or network-based computer. So e-learning system in Indonesia is a part of distance learning programs that the government has established. In its initial formation, e-learning is used as one of the systems applied by open university. It is stated that e-learning system in Indonesia can also substitute the position of a lecturer in front of the class.

Many lecturers in Perbanas Institute use this system to teach their students. Some of them because of their jobs outside or their needs can not attend the class to teach their students. The students can study the material by e-learning. In fact, this method makes the lecturers leave more than 50% of the class. In average most of the students become lazier to come to the class if their lecturers are used to study using e-learning in the class. E-learning in this idea gives a bad influence to students. One lecturer who has also a position used this e-learning system when he left his class for five times. He also provides materials for students to do as homework, in fact, when the students ask for feedback, this lecturer could not give the feedback because of his job he never checked the students’ works. In Perbanas Institute the implementation of e-learning for this type of lecturer is not effective as a study method.

Perbanas Institute must be active and proactive to socialize to their students and lecturers the purpose of e-learning system. In reality both most of the lecturers and the students still do not understand the purpose of e-learning system and how to use e-learning well. A team that is responsible with the e-learning system and training must be formed. It is not just a fun idea it should be done seriously. Harvard University and MIT University are examples of universities which put e-learning system is just a complementary of the teaching and learning materials in the curriculum. However, finally e-leaning is simply a tool for students easier to study outside the class and it is not only as a substitute way if the lecturer cannot teach in front of the class. Hopefully the idea of e-learning system either in western universities or Indonesian universities will not be confused anymore.