Reduction and Cancellation of Teaching and Learning Activities (KBM) on campus is considered as the precise decision to reduce contact as well as crowds (Social and Physical Distancing) during the Covid-19 pandemic. All teaching and learning activities such as lectures, discussions, and other similar activities are necessary to keep going by making various adjustments.
The activities undertake online methods using the synchronous method, such as Webex, Zoom, Skype, Microsoft teams, Google Talk, and others. Besides, there are also asynchronous, such as eLisa, Elok, Elearning Farmasetika, Whatsapp Group, and others, yet still paying attention to the continuation of the teaching and learning process and the achievement of purposed learning quality.
From March 16, 2020, the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM also implemented online lectures to anticipate the spread of Covid-19. This appeal is in accordance with Circular issued by the Dean number 1.15.03 / UN1 / FFA / SETPIM / OT / 2020 concerning Lecture Policy and Practicum.
Nazulanita Rahma, a student of the 2019 Clinical Pharmacy Masters Program, believes learning in networks is an ideal method to be applied in this current pandemic situation. Although sometimes there are problems with the network, she can still feel the comfort and just engaged in this method.
"Even though those applications are accessible. There are still obstacles that exist within the system, the most often obstacle found in the network. Unluckily, sometimes it lessens the focus on discussion. However, we can understand the condition; this is a drawback from online lectures different from face to face," Nazulanita said on Tuesday (5/19).
Ulfah Laily Azizah as a student of the 2019 Pharmacist Professional Study Program admitted that although the work practice program (PKPA) had to be ended faster because of the Covid-19 Outbreak. Nonetheless, this technology helped keep waging the learning and discussing material from hospital practitioners, puskesmas, and pharmacies from each other's homes.
According to her, learning remains interactive with questions and answers run smoothly. Moreover, UGM works closely with internet providers to avoid troubling that they will run out of quota.
"It is only the sound which sometimes intervened because the signal in some areas is not good. Thus, it is able to disrupt the discussion, but is still enjoyable," said Ulfah.
Gratitude was expressed by Yohana Disa Amelinda, a Bachelor of Pharmacy student class of 2018. Even though online, she was still able to attend lectures, practical work, and submit reports.
"I used to be less thankful and lazy to do practical reports. However, after online class undertook, I even kept taking advantage of this because I was aware of the knowledge. I got at the lab was very valuable and would not necessarily be obtained in the following semester," Yohama said.
Yohana is increasingly grateful because she is domiciled not too far from the city so that the signal is always in good condition. The biggest obstacle found is in the quota because online requires quite a lot of quota of internet package. However, she is also grateful because some providers have contributed free quota.
The ups and downs of online college experience were also experienced by Muhammad Qowiyul Amin, a Bachelor of Pharmacy student class of 2018. As an overseas student, he felt happy because he could study at home and close to his family. The problem is more on the internet network and quota.
"Even though there is difficulty, but it's quite fun. Amin likes the way the process of online class undertaking because, for especially overseas children, they can carry out academic activities at home and be close enough to the family," he said.
Even so, he hopes that the Covid-19 outbreak will end soon because he has missed campus activities. He hopes the activities will go back to normal again so that he can be prepared to study on campus, face-to-face activities, practice in person, and meet campus friends.
Agus supriadi, M.Pd as a parent of Nabila Syahida Prajna Paramita, a student of the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM class of 2019, believes that online learning models can be done at home. It feels more relaxed, fun, flexible, efficient, concise, practical, fast, precise, safe, secure, time-saving, and energy-efficient.
On the other hand, the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. rer nat. Triana Hahamani said that the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy used the momentum of online learning activities to build an academic atmosphere conducive for academicians to be more resilient, adaptive, and become leaders in the digital society. While for the problem of internet quota burden which some students had complained about, the faculty, with the support of alumni, provided internet quota assistance for 142 undergraduate students and 78 PSPA students for phase I, and for phase II it was scheduled to be given before the Final Examination was implemented.
"For the administrator of Pharmacy S1 Study Program hopes that lectures in this network will be the best and appropriate solution for the implementation of academic activities, and hope students and lecturers can still enjoy lectures in this network," he said.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Translator: Natasa A