Challenges of Vocational Teachers in Student-Teacher Interaction in Synchronous Online Learning in Indonesia

Abstract

—The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world, and it has made learning to switch to distance learning. One type of distance learning is online learning. Indeed, when students and teachers conduct learning connected via the internet, it becomes difficult to interact, especially synchronously. The interaction of students and teachers is inevitable in learning. Therefore, this paper investigates the challenges confronted by vocational high school teachers when interacting with students through synchronous online learning. A qualitative approach and In-depth interview techniques were used on five teachers in the Agribusiness Processing Agricultural Products program. One of the challenges confronted by teachers in interacting synchronously is when students close their video cameras. There are various arguments and attitudes of teachers regarding this phenomenon. Teachers were astonished, concerned, and miffed. It is a form of disrespect for the teachers. Generally, teachers tolerate this phenomenon because of technical problems encountered by students, for example, weak signals and unsupported devices. Finally, one alternative to deal with this phenomenon is to implement varied platforms outside synchronous.