#Educational Notes: Journey of a Lifetime
As I go back in
times, I realized that I have experienced several test methods in the
journey of my educational life. Three years ago I
graduated from high school and now I am pursuing my last year of college life
for my undergraduate study
(bachelor degree) in Food Technology. This final year
always be a moment to rethink and re-plan again for further step of life that we
want to approach. On Monday morning (4 January 2021), I suddenly found an answer
sheet paper test of my high school test. It was an LJK answer sheet paper test (Lembar
Jawab Komputer or Computerized Answer Sheet). This little finding just
suddenly brought me to look back
on my lifetime journey.
Back then, it was so familiar to use 2B pencil for Computerized Answer
Sheet or Lembar Jawab Komputer
(LJK) in 2011 to 2014. Essay and short answer written in answer sheet paper seemed
to be the longest and most widely used method. Until I finally experienced the Computer-Based
National Test or Ujian Nasional Berbasis Komputer (UNBK) in my final
year of high school in 2017. It just feels different from how it used to be. Many
adjustments were done including infrastructures, software, hardware, many
supporting tools and systems were prepared well to embrace this new approach.
As I come into college life to pursue my undergraduate study in Food
Technology, I realize how broader the learning methods can actually be implemented
in the way we learn and study. There are so much more various way to learn and more
various method that can be approach: Interview test method, group discussion, idea presentation in groups, take-home
paper assignment, study case, online quiz, and many other
various methods and approaches. Even nowadays, this physically limited
situation does not stop us from creating something new and keep learning. Similar
situation also happened in my course. As teaching assistants, we had to arrange
new method for group assignment and approach of possible way to do it. There were
several possible options: Online survey method, home-based
scientific experiments, online test, and any other following possible methods of learning. At first, it seemed to be doubtful (I doubt it
a little whether this method would work properly since it felt unfamiliar to me).
However, we should keep moving on, should not we? After passed through the
uncertainty, later on, I realized and learned that this method and approach was
runned well and executed successfully.
2020
2020 had been a precious and
unforgettable year for all of us. It has taught a lot of meaningful things. Even though life
actually has always taught us about changes, challenges, and courage for adaptation, this year
just feels so much different since we were facing the same situation globally in the pandemic of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease
2019).
Many adaptations are pursued in various ways following the new normal
situation. This adaptation also happens in the educational
system. It does also happen
in my college and moreover in each individual
learning process. Study from home encourages
us to find new ways of learning method that best suit our own unique circumstances.
I used to think that college study means to go to a place
(campus or library) and learn together with
friends in a physical classroom, but
it seemed that the way I used to think will need to be totally change. This situation has taught me that what does matter is not just about
the place, but rather a situation of
enthusiasm and excitement to always embrace something
in learning new things: Courage, curiosity and eagerness to embrace new
things. It has taught me a lot to be more open-minded to see more possibilities that
may come and suite for our future needs.
Virtual or online
approach of learning methods has been done. A lot of persons involved in this
learning system are trying hard to adapt, struggle and giving their best. We try to see all
of the possibilities and decide what the most fit to our needs and conditions.
As this year I also worked as teaching
assistant in Computer Application for
Food Technology course, I learned a lot from my partners
and my lecturer in managing the online
lecture and managing the most suitable way to deliver to course. The college’s cyber web system are upgraded to provide an adequate learning process.
We managed the online quiz and the home-based
experiments for group assignment. Lecturing, final presentation,
practical learning of computer application and group discussions were also conducted
virtually. At first, it might be irritating or uncomfortable. But we have finally made it together and successfully made this
communication. Congratulation! We engage and encourage each other as an academic community to survive
and face this challenge together. Try to make humanistic and comfortable
feedback and communication while delivering
course in virtual classes.
While we learn to embrace something new and adapt to this challenging situation,
I realize that some people even learn something harder. They learn to have courage to make decisions in this uncertain condition. Some approaches maybe successful
and some maybe failed; it does not
matter, it does teach us good experiences anyway. We have learned to take courage in making decision on this
uncertain condition and living the way that we have decided. Whatever happens, just dare to try. Afterwards,
proceed with evaluation and improve what is still not optimal. The barrier does not define us; the struggle and spirit does define who
we are!
Education Never Stops
As a final year student’s note, I would like to say that the journey of
education does not stop here; it still continues even after I graduated from this
stage of life. Education is a deep learning process of life. Therefore, the study and
human development will always be interrelated.
The education never stops; I just get started. I learned that self-learning is
the most important skill to develop which will be so much matters and useful
for our future life. Many approaches of learning methods have been conducted in
this new adaptation in order to be better. It always teach us that it does take
courage to start something; it does take courage to finish what we have
started.
There are so many learning methods that we have been through. The most
important thing is to realize that these all are methods
and approach to achieve the goal: the learning process; to know, to understand, to learn, and to master something that we curious about. Whatever the methods, those are the
tools to reach the goal thus need to be continually evaluated. We struggle
and survive,
and we all know
that our struggle is real. This
struggle deserves to be acknowledged and therefore
we must be thankful and congratulate ourselves.
Finally, I realize
that the driving force of learning process does not come from external but from
within. The
situation of this joyful learning atmosphere does come from inside ourselves, our
mind and visions for further steps, and from the community we made virtually. Those are what essentials.
Congratulation to
all of us! We have made it and been through it together. I hope that you always blessed with health, peace, enthusiasm, happiness and excitement in facing wonderful challenges ahead.
Live and Love.
Embrace. Celebrate. Cheers! Welcome 2021!
Bernardine Agatha
Adi Konstantia
