The Social Media WhatsApp to Support Physics Learning Problem Solving on Tutorial Online Activities in Distance Education
Widiasih, A. Permanasari, Riandi, and T. Damayanti

1Department of Physics Education, Universitas Terbuka, Jl. Raya Pondok Cabe, Kota Tangerang Selatan 15418, Indonesia
2Department of Chemistry Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
3Department of Biology Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
4Department of Political and Social Science, Universitas Terbuka, Jl. Raya Pondok Cabe, Kota Tangerang Selatan 15418, Indonesia

Abstract

One of the subjects that must be taken by distance education students of Physics of Open University is PEFI4201 Physics Learning Strategy. The average score obtained by students in PEFI4201 courses is low. To master the concept of this course students are given learning assistance services in the form of online tutorials in addition to studying the module as the main teaching material. However, the students activity in the tuton is less encouraging. Thus the social media WhatsApp (WA) is required to enable students to follow the online tutorials. The purpose of this research is to describe WA communication process in support of online tutorials implementation. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative to analyze WA communication process in support of online tutorials implementation. The results of this study obtained that WA strongly supports student activeness in online tutorials. Communication occurring from 28 August to 29 October 2017 consists of academic administration 6.67%; reminder 22.42%; explanation of material 62,42%; and technical explanation elearning 8.48%.Two-way communication can work well through WA, because WA is more familiar to be accessed anywhere, anytime. If the student is late to access every step of the weekly learning activity on the online tutorials, be reminded through WA. Progress of individual progress in completing discussions and online tutorials assignments informed through WA with the intent to motivate students to immediately follow the discussion and complete the online tutorials task. Thus it can be concluded that social media WA can support online tutorials activities.

Keywords: WA, problem solving, online tutorials activities, distance education

Topic: 3. Physics Education