Communication Challenges in Distance Learning

Abstract

Communication ethic is one of the most important interaction aspects. how to respect and give strength to the interaction process. In face-to-face communication we can see each other's non verbal or gesture. The problem that arises is how these social or non-verbal signs will appear in online communication or in media interactions. This article analyzes the communication process in distance learning interaction between tutors and students in several online tutorial cases. This article will show how the face-to-face learning material is transformed into digital learning material and how competencies and ethics becomes a crucial component for a digital learning material. Focusing on several online tutorial programs in 2019 as the base for the study, the analysis is performed using on the communication ethics theory, which gives an idea of how to communicate and respect each other on each interaction. Then the open distance learning process, which describes the learning process through the media, there is a separation between lecturers and students, and a social presence theory that emphasizes the presence of someone in every interaction, giving many meanings and the important thing is how they understand the media itself. This article presents challenges for experts and practitioners to pay attention to the ethics of communication in interacting through online media.