Optimizing Technology in Distance Learning for Enhancing Communication Skills

Abstract

Lecturers can optimize technology with synchronous and asynchronous in distance learning so that they can improve students' 21st-century skills. Optimizing technology grants lecturers and undergraduate students to interact in multiple directions and activate undergraduate students in minds-on and hands-on. This study aims to describe the quality of communication skills by optimizing technology on distance learning. This research method is quasi-experimental with a one-shot case study. The samples in this study were 103 students. The sampling technique is purposive sampling. Data collection techniques using observation techniques were used to observe the optimization of technology in distance learning and questionnaire techniques to collect data self-assessment on undergraduate student 21st-century skills, namely communication skills aspects that are assessed expression, evaluation, response, and negotiation. Data analysis used the descriptive quantitative method. The results showed that in the aspects of expression and negotiation, students were in a good category then, students' responses and evaluations were in the very good category. The percentage for each aspect is 75% in expression, 77% in evaluation, 76% in response, and 75% in negotiation. However, the aspects of expression and negotiation still need to be improved. Through the results of this study, lectures can emphasize the management of group discussions through learning management systems and the use of reference sources so that students' communication skills can be further improved.