Online learning has become a trend amidst the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). This method of learning was chosen as a preventive measure against the outbreak. In regard to its application, some schools are not ready for this change. These past few months, a lot of people in social media is talking about teachers who can?t handle the amount of teaching from home and in preparing the unusual materials, parents who are stressed because of assisting their children?s learning, students who are stressed because their teachers had made them learn a lot more, or even teachers who don?t know what to teach during this home learning period, and many more.

Before the mass practice of online learning in Indonesia, the Master of Educational Technology of Universitas Pelita Harapan (MET UPH) has actively socialized the purposes and benefits of online learning to educators. Therefore, as a response to the current educational situation due to COVID-19, Dr. Niko Sudibjo, S. Psi., MA., Head of Master of Education of Universitas Pelita Harapan said that online learning is the best solution amidst this pandemic. However, it will only be effective if all teachers and school leaders can truly understand the gist of online learning.

?Unfortunately, we can still find a lot of errors in the implementation, such as teachers who keep adding the task load of their students to replace face-to-face learning, causing students to get tired and overwhelmed. The most important thing about online learning is independent learning. This can be manifested through assignments, but not a constant one. Teachers can also imply synchronous learning which includes activities such as virtual teaching, providing a guide to independent learning, reading hand out, watching videos, reflection, discussion, and many more,? said Dr. Niko.

Certainly, in order for a full transition to this method of learning, there is a complex set of preparation. It starts with the preparation of the infrastructure facilities, then the educators, students, and lastly, parents. The infrastructure facilities should be prepared carefully and adequately; this includes computers, the internet, e-resources, and many more. Secondly, teachers as users of this system should also be well prepared because they will have to face students directly. Teachers should also be given a regular training to get use to this method. Thirdly, students should also be well-prepared because the goal of education is to prepare them. This preparation should be done comprehensively and covers their cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects. This means that students have to learn to be independent leaners who manage themselves in learning, behaving, acting based on the positive values that have been taught to them without having their teachers to assist them directly. Fourthly, parents should also be prepared for this system. It would not be good to have parents stressing over their children who are learning online. Parents should be given a clear explanation about the implication of the online learning. Parents should be advised to assist their children while learning at home and reminded that they hold the main responsibility of teaching their own children. Lastly, school administrator should also prepare clear regulations about the learning process, assessment, attendance, and many more. This should also be delivered clearly to students and their parents.

Infrastructure and the other elements of education should run consecutively. It takes a joint effort from all parties, including teachers, students, and parents, to make learning effective and efficient.

?Right now, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, ideal learning might seem a bit impossible. Lots of teachers and students has to make an effort to own the device needed to undergo online learning. Therefore, everyone should use their own devices and data plan. During this situation, this is pretty much understandable. Despite all the pros and cons, the most important thing that everyone has to remember is that technology is the tool, not the principal. The primary need that everyone has to fulfil is learning itself,? Dr. Niko explained.

For a better implication of online learning, Dr. Nico suggests four things. First, for the government, through the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Research and Technology, should prepare a distinct set of regulation, starting from the learning process, assessment, and other things related to online learning. Secondly, schools should have a clear regulation for implementation, starting from the learning process, assessment, and etc. Then, teachers and students should receive training regarding the implementation of online learning. Lastly, parents should be informed thoroughly so that they may be directly involved in assisting and supporting their children?s online learning activities.

This notion about the significance of online learning was also delivered by Dr. Niko to the educator supervisors under the Department of Education and Culture of Ciruas, Tangerang, Banten during a Community Service (or Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat) back on February 17, 2020.

UPH Master of Educational Technology actively supports the government of Indonesia to achieve the goal of online learning. One of the ways is through the launching of a program called ?Hybrid Learning? which is specifically designed for a 50% face-to-face and 50% of online learning method. The program aims to create skilled leaders and educators who are capable of developing technology-based learning. This program is self-paced-study and is very suitable for educators, education program planners, and professionals in information and technology, as well as professional Human Resource (HR) in companies or educational institutions who have tight schedule. More information about Hybrid Learning UPH is accessible through https://bit.ly/2UlICJl.