Abstract
This chapter explores the role of an online professional learning community for English language teachers in Indonesia, during the period of ERT (Emergency Remote Teaching) caused by the outbreak of Covid-19. The community was established as a WhatsApp group in 2018, well before the pandemic. Membership is entirely voluntary, and member-driven. Although the group is managed and led by the creator of the group, questions are raised and solutions proposed by participants themselves, thus forming an active community of practice. In addition to day-to-day postings of video links, webinars, comments and suggested teaching strategies, the group has collaborated to produce a number of practical publications which have been distributed at minimal cost to teachers across Indonesia. The chapter draws on teachers’ voices to show why this virtual community of practice has been a highly valued source of support and inspiration for the participants during the time of ERT. Using examples of postings drawn from the WhatsApp group, and teachers’ personal reflections in Zoom interviews, the chapter shows how an active community of practice can contribute to teachers’ professional development and well-being in a time of crisis.
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Notes
- 1.
We use pseudonyms throughout this chapter to protect the participants’ identity.
- 2.
Quipper is a web-based learning tool that provides various different practice lessons and tests
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Appendices
Appendices
1.1 Appendix 1
1.1.1 Screenshot Sample from WhatsApp Group Conversation
1.1.2 Appendix 2: Educational Technology Mentioned by the Participants in the Research
Platform/Application | Weblink | Comments |
|---|---|---|
WhatsApp is an application that enables users to interact via messages, voice calls and video calls. The application also makes it easy for users to send photos, videos, files and voice notes. Although WhatsApp was not created as an educational technology, many teachers make use of this application as means of teaching as it can be used in groups and with low internet connection. Most importantly, it allows synchronous learning, although teachers may not be able to recognize each participating student in the group | ||
Dave’s ESL Café | This website was created to share free ESL learning resources, and thus has become a ‘meeting place’ for ELT practitioners | |
British Council’s teaching English | This platform provides educational resources that can be used for learning English, graded from elementary to higher education | |
Zoom | Zoom can be considered as an icon for COVID-19 as before the pandemic hit, it had not gained much attention. In Indonesia, zoom is used as a substitute for the face to face classroom. Teachers can explain and show learning materials and record the meeting for later use. Besides teleconferencing, the platform provides a breakout room facility which enables teachers to put learners into groups, and an interactive whiteboard for teaching | |
Google meetings | Google meet enables members to have synchronous video communication. Teachers (and students) are able to share files and video throughout the learning session. It also enables participants to send messages throughout the session | |
YouTube channel | YouTube is a platform that focuses on videos and events. For educational purposes, teachers can set up a password-protected YouTube channel to upload their own and their students’ videos | |
Instagram enables users to post pictures, posters, and videos to communicate with other users. This has prompted some teachers to use the media for teaching | ||
Google classroom | Google classroom is a free web-based service that enables teachers to manage the class online. The website is literally a classroom which is online; teachers are able to collect students’ assignments, provide feedback, trace students’ progress, and upload assignment and learning materials. Thus, it is not surprising that the platform has become one of the most prefered platforms for teachers during the pandemic in Indonesia | |
Quipper | Quipper is an online learning management system that provides services such as e-learning, coaching, tutoring, and assessment. The services can be different in different countries. In Indonesia, the platform has gained popularity because it prepares learners for the national examination as one of its services | |
Edpuzzle | Edpuzzle is a learning platform that can be used for language learning. Teachers who prefer to deliver their lesson through videos will find Edpuzzle very convenient. The platform links to several websites which commonly use video learning resources such as YouTube, Khan Academy, National Geographic, TED Talks, Veritasium, Numberphile, and Crash Course. Teachers can also make their own videos. The platform enables teachers to manage the video to suit their own context |
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Defianty, M., Wilson, K., Dadan (2021). Surviving ERT: How an Online Professional Learning Community Empowered Teachers During the Covid-19 School Lockdown in Indonesia. In: Chen, J. (eds) Emergency Remote Teaching and Beyond. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84067-9_4
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