Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 560 Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Conference on Blended Learning, Educational Technology and Innovation (ACBLETI 2020) Discord to Support Synchronous Communication in Distance Learning Barnad Barnad Polytechnic of UBAYA Surabaya *Corresponding Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Distance learning is an option for the learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic. Most education providers in Indonesia are still low in understanding and experience in implementing distance learning. Polytechnic of UBAYA Surabaya has implemented distance learning in the two semesters. The learning process that is carried out is mostly the same as face-to-face learning by only modifying how to deliver learning material using information and communication technology such as WhatsApp, email, Zoom meeting, or Google meet. The research was conducted using a narrative research method based on the summary results of students' feedback about the implementation of distance learning carried out for two semesters. The description in this paper aims to offer alternative solutions to improve the distance learning process's performance and use Discord software to support effective and efficient synchronous communication to make learning outcomes. Keywords: Effective, Efficient, Distance Learning, Synchronous Communication 1. INTRODUCTION can respond directly to the explanation given by the educator or fellow students. Article 31, paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution states that every citizen has the right to education, and In mid-December 2019, the Covid-19 outbreak was paragraph 2 states that every citizen is obliged to attend first identified in the Wuhan-China area, and since then, primary education. The government is obliged to pay for the outbreak has still spread throughout the world. Data it. The obligation to participate in formal education on the from covid19.who.int as of March 9, 2021, worldwide primary level is the government's effort so that citizens there were 118,745,336 confirmed cases of Covid-19, who have completed this level can continue to a higher and 2,634,370 deaths. While in our country (Indonesia), level. We believe that the formal education adopted by there were 1,410,134 confirmed cases and 38,229 deaths. every Indonesian citizen can improve the welfare of One of the efforts to prevent the spread of this virus by every actor. Therefore, every family in Indonesia makes following the recommendations of the World Health every effort to learn from the lowest to the highest level. Organization (WHO) is to stay at home and, are forced to do activities outside the home to keep a minimum The main activity carried out in the educational distance of 1 meter, wear a mask and wash hands as often process is learning. There is a process of interaction as we can and after finish the activity. Many countries, between students, educators, and learning resources including Indonesia, have stipulated that their citizens owned in a learning environment in every learning stay at home by implementing Work From Home (WFH). activity. Learning activities in formal education are carried out in a structured manner according to the The Indonesian government enforces the WFH policy curriculum set by that the students received. Students are for all community activities, including elementary to obliged to complete all the learning that has been tertiary education activities carried out from home. All determined with a pass status. education providers carry out the entire learning process online. The procedure for education providers to carry In general, education providers in Indonesia carry out out online learning is a new paradigm. So far, most of the face-to-face learning activities in a classroom. This form learning process's implementation is done face-to-face in of learning requires direct (synchronous) interaction class. Lack of understanding and experience in doing between educators and students in delivering learning distance learning makes the learning process the same as material. Furthermore, an educator can monitor students' face-to-face learning in class. The difference is delivering body language (movements) and control the classroom learning material using communication technology atmosphere during the learning process. Each student can devices, such as WhatsApp, email, Google meets, Zoom interact directly with the learning material provided and meetings, etc. Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL. This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license -http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. 34 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 560 Polytechnic of UBAYA is a vocational college that examples of the attributes of soft skills that are prioritized implements a one-week learning schedule of 38 lecture in the world of work are initiative, ethics/integrity, hours. The face-to-face learning process is carried out critical thinking, willingness to learn, commitment, from Monday to Thursday, starting at 07:00 - 1:20 P.M motivation, enthusiasm, reliability, oral communication, and Friday from 07:00 - 11:20 A.M. The lecture schedule and creativity. is hectic but still provides a conducive atmosphere for Education is a series of communication activities that students to carry out the learning process. Each student aim between adult humans and students face-to-face or enthusiastically undergoes the learning process because by using the media to help complete development [5]. each student is given space for activities and interacts Communication that is carried out involves directly with other students and the learning facilities and understanding how peoples behave in creating, extracurricular activities provided by the campus. exchanging, and interpreting messages [6]. Berelson and The application of the distance learning process to Steiner [7] state that communication is the transmission limit each person's interaction will affect the quality of of information, ideas, emotional skills, and so on, using learning of each student if the learning process is carried symbols in words, pictures, figures, graphics, etc. out as in normal conditions (face to face). This statement Distance learning is the learning alternative chosen to is the initial hypothesis of this study. To answer this minimize interaction in the teaching and learning hypothesis, the authors conducted narrative research on process. Distance education is distance learning by students as the data used for research is the summary data utilizing communication technology (internet) as a means on students who have done distance learning and input of learning. Distance education is the structuring from the learning process using Discord software as a methodology and managing dialogue between teacher means of synchronous communication. The research and learner to bridge that gap through communications results' follow-up can be used as study material technology [8]. Distance education, on the other hand, is (recommendations) for alternative solutions for distance less a philosophy and more a method of education. learning formats and the choice of synchronous Students can study in their own time, at the place of their communication technology appropriate and effective, choice (home, work or learning center), and without face- and efficient in supporting the learning process that to-face contact with a teacher. Technology is a critical resembles face-to-face learning. It is hoped that this element of distance education [9]. Distance learning alternative solution can provide guarantees for students provides greater flexibility for students to work at their to achieve the subjects' learning outcomes that the study own pace and review work as needed. Students can program has determined. access your course material at the times that work best The method used to measure the success of learning for them, which is essential for students who may have outcomes is by using a survey method in the form of a irregular work schedules[10]. questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed to In distance learning, communication is an essential students who had used Discord to support synchronous element in the learning process. Communication in communication technology in their learning process. distance learning can be synchronous communication, namely real-time communication in interactions between 2. LITERATURE REVIEW message givers and message recipients such as virtual classrooms, face-to-face chat rooms, or communication Education is a conscious and planned effort to create by telephone. Another alternative for synchronous an atmosphere of learning and the learning process. communication can be using software such as Discord Students actively develop their potential to have Servers. This software is efficient because it is available religious-spiritual strength, self-control, personality, in the form of free software without any facility intelligence, noble character, and skills needed by restrictions and is effective for synchronous themselves, society, nation, and state [1]. In Indonesia, communication because this software provides the every citizen who takes formal education must be done facility to create several classrooms. At each school, in primary education stages, from secondary education to several forum group discussions (FGD) can be made. An higher education. Formal education is carried out in a admin is responsible for managing the classroom