Phenomonological Study on Online Learning in Chemistry

in Grade VII of SMP Advent 3 Ranotana

Introduction

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, community activities have

been restricted and closed. No one is allowed to go outside and almost all countries

around the world are practicing lockdowns that prohibit all citizens from spending

time outdoors. Schools are no exception. This condition has encouraged the

emergence of new practices in people's lives, including in Education. In the pandemic

arena, schools in Indonesia are shifting face-to-face learning to online learning to

reach students.

Online learning can be the most difficult to define. Some prefer to distinguish

variance by describing online learning as "fully" online learning (Oblinger &

Oblinger, 2005), while others only refer to the technological medium or context used

(Lowenthal, Wilson, & Parrish, 2009). The other displays the direct relationship

between the previously described modes and online learning by stating that one uses

the technology used in the other (Rekkedal et al., 2003; Volery & God, 2000). Online

learning is described by most authors as access to learning experiences through the

use of some technology (Benson, 2002; Carliner, 2004; Conrad, 2002). Both Benson

(2002) and Conrad (2002) identified online learning as a newer version of distance

learning that increased access to educational opportunities for learners described as

nontraditional and disenfranchised. Other authors not only discuss the accessibility of

online learning but also its connectivity, flexibility, and ability to promotevaried

interactions (Ally, 2004; Hiltz & Turoff, 2005; Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005). Hiltz and

Turoff (2005) in particular not only avoided the relationship of online learning to

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distance learning and traditional delivery systems but later, as Benson (2002) made a

clear statement that online learning is a newer version or, and an improved version of

distance learning.

Learning science can be very complicated because sometimes there are things

that will be better understood if students "experience" the case being taught. That is

why a science laboratory should be in school. Student involvement in science

learning is somehow very important because many of the things taught in science

classes are "heavy" that require full concentration to understand. One of the reasons

why student engagement in schools should be a concern is because engagement is an

important factor of the success of the student's learning and academic processes in

schools (Wang & Holcombe, 2010; Fredricks, Filsecker &Lawson, 2016). This is

embodied in the components of student engagement in schools that are multidirectory

while student engagement consists of three components - cognitive, behavioral, and

emotional (Fredricks et. al, 2004; Jimerson, et al. al, 2003). To get students involved

in the learning process, science teachers are required to make the lesson more

interesting for students. However, when the pandemic hit and learning shifted from

face-to-face learning to online learning, it brought a new learning experience for

students.

Based on this description, this study will present information about learning

experiences and challenges felt by students to online learning in science subjects at

the junior high school education level. Students face a different learning atmosphere

when face-to-face learning changes to online learning and this results in a different

learning experience because it has not been fully implemented as it happened during

the Covid-19 pandemic.

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 It is interesting to know the experience of students in learning online for the

subject of science. This concerns preparation, learning engagement, and perceived

challenges in online learning. This research wants to explore and add insights from

students' experiences in learning Science through online learning. The experiences

and perceptions of students that can be taken from this research can be the basis for

improving the teaching and learning process of science by using online platforms.

Statement of the Problem

Based on the limitation of the problem above, this study aims to find the

experience of students in online learning on science subjects among selected students

at SMP Advent Ranotana. There are a number of difficulties faced by the students

during online learning in chemistry. They had a hard time understanding such and

abstract material with only the explanation of the teacher since there might be some

connectivity problems that sometimes interrupted the teacher’s explanation.

Chemistry needs students’ full attention since the subject is talking about more of the

abstract side of science which most of the time can not be seen through bare eye.

However, the distraction during online class are preventing them to pour their full

attention to the learning. Moreover, the experience of directly experiment in the

laboratory is different than just seeing it.

Research Questions

1. What experiences do you have when learning online for chemistry?

2. What difficulties do you encounter when studying online for chemistry?

3. What advantages do there are from online learning for chemistry?

4. What are the various difficulties in online learning in chemistry?

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The Significance of The Study

The significance of the study will be useful for the teacher, the result of this study

is expected to provide an overview them about instructional strategy, to motivate

teachers to be more creative so that there are more students enthusiastic with online

learning in science subject. For the researcher, the results of this research can develop

her experience related to her knowledge in research about education and the point of

view of being a teacher. Finally for the students, this will help them to understand the

situation they face and improve their learning.

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 Method

Research Design

This research uses qualitative research with design Descriptive Phenomenological

Research. Phenomenological design is a type of qualitative research that deals with the

similarity of life experiences in a particular group. The purpose of this design is to arrive

at a description of a particular phenomenon (Creswell, 2013).

The informants of this study were (7) seven Junior High School Students who

allowed the researcher to have rich data to analyze. They were chosen purposively

because this study is specifically for certain phenomena only (Violeta and Whitehead,

2013), and the selection criteria is that students are grade 9 students, because they are the

ones who experienced the online learning phase in the pandemic era.

Instrumentation

Interviewing is one of the most common methods for collecting data in qualitative

research that allows participants to provide rich, contextual descriptions of events.

However, the process of interviewing is time-consuming, and the quality of data

often is dependent on the aptitude of the interviewer (Byrne, 2001). So, it is

important to match the questions to the level of junior high school student. The

Interview itself will be and open ended interview, so there will be no limitation to the

number of question.

Data Collection

Experts in educational management, curriculum and assessment in this case the

supervisor validates the interview guide in depth. Then the researcher will write a letter

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to the principal of the target school to ask for permission to conduct the study. Another

letter will also be sent to the informant to inform them that they were invited to

participate in the study. After receiving confirmation from the informant, a letter of

consent will be signed prior to the interview to ensure that their participation in the

study is voluntary and they agree to state their experience during the interview process

and will be used in the study. After the signing of the letter of approval, the informant

will then be briefed on the mechanism and purpose of the interview. The audio recorder

will be used to record the interview and will be used in transcribing the entire

interview process that will be used in the data analysis.To ensure the trust of data and

results, the validity and thoroughness of the research is important. Therefore,

researchers need to pay attention to credibility, transferability, reliability, and

confirmation (Guba and Lincoln, 1989). Credibility establishes the research's ability to

measure what is intended and is a true or correct reflection of the social reality of the

participants. There are many strategies to address credibility such as prolonged

engagement, bracketing and examination of existing members in this study.

Transferability on the other hand has to do with the ability of the findings to be

transferred or relate to other contexts or settings. In conducting qualitative research,

one must bear in mind that it is specific to a specific context, so it is important to have a

"thick description" of a particular phenomenon and allow the reader to assess whether the

findings can be transferred to their situation or not. Another criterion is reliability, this

ensures that the process or method is described in sufficient detail to facilitate other

researchers to repeat the work. Finally, confirmation is proportional to objectivity in

quantitative studies. The goal is to minimize researcher bias by acknowledging

researchers' tendencies and bracketing. By following the following criteria , researchers

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believe that this study was carried out strictly (Holloway, 2008; Korsteins and Moser

2017 and Shenton, 2004)

Data Analysis

The data obtained in this study will be analyzed using the Colaizzi Strategy

(1978). Colaizzi's seven procedural steps from the Duquesne school that follow the

Husserlian tradition is a powerful method for researchers to discover, understand and

describe the life experiences of informants. The following steps to perform are: (1)

reading and rereading transcripts, (2) Extracting significant statements, (3) formulating

meanings, (4) categorizing into theme groups and validating with the original text, (5)

describing, (6) returning to participants, and (7) combining any changes based on

informant feedback.

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