Identification of biological learning challenges and strategies during the emergency response of the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Quality education will be achieved if it is supported by a quality learning process. Therefore, teachers must understand teaching and learning strategies by implementing different teaching and learning strategies in different situations and conditions. During the Covid-19 pandemic period, it directly impacted the education system in Indonesia so that the learning process had to be done online (school from home), face-to-face classes had to turn into online classes with indirect interaction between teachers and students. This study aims to determine the challenges faced by the teachers and the learning strategies taken by the Biology / Science teachers in conducting online learning. The research was conducted through an online survey with SMP and SMA teachers in various provinces in Indonesia as respondents.The results showed that the challenges (difficulties) faced by science / biology teachers in science / biology learning in the emergency response situation of Covid-19 were different for each region and school, but were generally related to the availability of a stable internet network signal, resources for internet access (mobile phones and or laptops), the ability to use information and communication technology facilities (ICT, hardware and software), and school support (WiFi, trainings, and online learning facilities). Difficulties especially faced by teachers who have not fulfilled the availability of internet network access and the ability to use ICT facilities are relatively low, and lack of school support. Meanwhile teachers who could access the internet network well and had the ability to use ICT facilities and also received school support did not experience difficulties.The learning strategies applied by science / biology teachers in teaching science / biology material in the Covid-19 emergency response situation were to modify the form of learning synchronously using video conferencing (Zoom, Google meet), WAG, discussion forums at LMS, Google Classroom and asyncronus with assignment submission via WAG, email, LMS, Google Classroom. In the learning process, the teacher used various media such as PPT, video, virtual lab and independent practicum with the equipment and materials around the students. In the evaluation process, many teachers used written test techniques using google forms, email, or online quizzes such as Quizziz. The things that were considered by the teacher in determining strategies for teaching science / biology in the emergency response situation of Covid-19 were the condition of students, ease of access, practicality, flexibility, effectiveness and conditions of internet connection as well as data / quota usage capacity.