How Blended Learning Schools Support Distance Learning
How does a blended learning school handle distance learning? See student freedom, teacher and parent teamwork, common challenges and a real example.
Blended learning is a learning model that combines conventional, face-to-face learning with online learning. The online part uses technology such as Google Meet, Zoom, Google Classroom and other apps. Here are the efforts made by blended learning schools in distance learning, along with one example.
Efforts Made by Blended Learning Schools
1. Student Freedom to Learn
Applying freedom to learn (merdeka belajar) lets students learn as they wish and puts students first. Students are also free to submit assignments in any form that suits the learning topic. This creates learning in which students can study at no fixed time, anytime and anywhere.
2. Collaboration Between Teachers and Parents
A student's education cannot succeed if only one party, such as the homeroom teacher, is involved. Education succeeds when subject teachers, homeroom teachers and parents collaborate and build good relationships. All three roles are needed to find solutions together so that teaching and learning run well.
3. Challenges in Implementation
Blended learning efforts also come with obstacles for students. One is that online assignments cannot be collected 100%: the rate averages between 80% and 90% because students get burned out. Another obstacle is that parents supervise online learning at home too little, because of heavy household burdens.
Sekolah Murid Merdeka and Its Blended Learning Approach
One school that uses the blended learning method is Sekolah Murid Merdeka. This leading school combines interactive online and offline learning to make it more effective and enjoyable. It also lets students choose to attend class online or offline, depending on their needs.
Students need not worry if they are not yet familiar with technology, because the school combines conventional education with digital, or online, education. As a result, students get to know technology better because they use it often and become used to it.
Combining conventional and digital education at this school also produces effective, efficient learning. The teachers are experienced in creating engaging materials, so students will not get bored during lessons.
In its face-to-face classes, SMM provides safe, comfortable classrooms so students can focus on learning. There, students learn directly alongside facilitators and their friends. Face-to-face classes are available in various cities across Indonesia with complete facilities.
The pandemic has had a major impact on society, including educational institutions that had to move student learning online. Schools need to make an effort to make that work. One school that applies blended learning is Sekolah Murid Merdeka.
