Synchronous vs. Asynchronous: Photovoice Study on Indonesian Youth’s Online Learning Experience

Abstract Since March 2020, the coronavirus disease has spread in Indonesia and affected many sectors of youth's life including education. Indonesia takes measures of distance learning to adapt to the pandemic, focusing on learning through digital media. Implementation of online learning in Indonesia has varying results, causing youth living in under-developed areas to be exposed to poor distance learning due to inadequate internet connection. This study examined how youth in the under-developed area of Indonesia experience online learning. 14 young people living in Kupang City, West Timor participated in photovoice and interview sessions. Thematic analysis identified three themes, which are the benefits and challenges of online learning, synchronous versus asynchronous learning, and the future of online learning. The use of photovoice managed to capture details of online learning implementation on youth and its implications are detailed further in this study.