Name: Nur Fadhila Tunnisa S

NIM: 02184015

Class: 18 TBI 1

ELT Online Learning and Character Building

A. ELT Online Learning

1) The definition of ELT online learning
Based on Michael perspective (2013:27), he defined e-learning as a learning
system that is formulated in order to use an electronic system or computer to support a
learning process. Online learning system or usually in general we call it as e-learning
is a system of learning using electronic devices, it is education that takes place over
the Internet and basically under the condition of formal teaching.
ELT (English Language Teaching) online learning means the process of
teaching and learning English through an online system by using certain applications.
It requires the teacher and the students to conduct a meeting on the internet by using
their own devices, such as laptop, mobile phone, notebook, and so on.
ELT online learning has some following features:
a) Utilizing electronic technology services
b) Utilizing the advantages of computers (digital media and computer networks)
c) Using autonomous materials (self-learning materials), then stored on a computer
so it can be accessed by lecturers and students anytime and anywhere
d) Utilizing the learning schedule, curriculum, learning progress results and things
relate to educational administrations that can be seen anytime on the computer.
Generally there are two ways to conduct ELT online learning based on the
exertions: 1) Synchronous circumstances, are conducted in real time. This type of e-
learning allows the participants to be in contact one another in a given time. The
examples are video converence, online meeting / presentation, and many more. 2)
Asynchronous circumstances, have a flexible time. The learning process can be held at
any time, such as e-mail, forum on blog, discussion group on a social media platform,
etc.

2) The purposes and the benefits of ELT online learning

 Conducting ELT online learning has some purposes. However, the main
purpose is still the same purpose as it should be in offline ELT. It is meant to achieve
the goals of education, especially in mastering English. The students are aimed to
catch the main point that have been elucidated by the English teacher, they are also
aimed to master the skills of English and they have to be able to implement those
skills both in the online classroom and in their real life as well.
We can conclude that there are at least five main purposes in conducting ELT
online learning, namely:
a. To achieve the goals of education. Just like the general teaching goals in the
world of education, ELT online learning is intended to achieve the main goal in
the learning and teaching process, as an objective in education.
b. It is aimed to improve students’ ability in English. This includes cognitive
English knowledge, the ability to master the four skills in English (namely:
speaking, writing, listening, and reading), the ability to implement and use
English in every academic and non – academic need in the real world of
eduacation.
c. To implement a language learning system independently for students. It is
intended so that students have the effort to find solutions to the problems that
have been faced. Besides, ELT online learning can also raise students’ awareness
of the importance of finding as much information as possible in learning a foreign
language, in this case is English.
d. ELT online learning is intended to improve cooperation among students in
building their English proficiency. Students are expected to be able to keep in
touch with their friends about the material they have gotten in every online
meeting.
e. ELT online learning is not only expected to improve students’ English skills, but
it is also expected to be able to improve the character quality of students. This is
in line with one of the main objectives of education, namely to create a person
with good character and reflect a person with noble character. ELT online
learning aims to teach English for students while instilling the values of life
adhering to the moral principles in it.

3) How to conduct ELT online learning

 In applying ELT online learning, lecturers as educators are expected to be able
to understand several competencies to produce a good quality of E-learning course.
The quality of an ELT online learning course is enhanced by:
a. learner-centered content: E-learning curricula should be relevant and specific to
learners’ needs, roles and responsibilities in professional life. Skills, knowledge
and information should be provided to this end.
b. granularity: E-learning content should be segmented to facilitate assimilation of
new knowledge and to allow flexible scheduling of time for learning.
c. engaging content: instructional methods and techniques should be used creatively
to develop an engaging and motivating learning experience.
d. interactivity: frequent learner interaction is needed to sustain attention and promote
learning.
e. personalization: self-paced courses should be customizable to reflect learners’
interests and needs; in instructor-led courses, tutors and facilitators should be able
to follow the learners’ progress and performance individually.
In addition, to produce an effective ELT online learning program, an educator
is also required to have some basic competencies, namely (1) The ability to make
instructional designs that are suitable with the pedagogical methods as outlined in the
learning plan (2) Mastery of technology in learning namely internet design as
instructional source to get up-to-date and useful teaching materials. (3) Mastery of
subject matter in accordance with the area of expertise.
In conducting ELT online learning, usually there are some applications that is
generally used by the teachers. Such as: Zoom Application (it allows the participant to
conduct an online meeting like video conference), Google Meeting (it also enables the
users to experience online video conference), Google Classroom (it is often used by
the teachers to share the teaching material and assignments as well. This application
also allows students to submit their answer sheet.), discussing through WhatsApp
Group, and so on.

B. Character Building
1) The definition of character building
Berkowitz define character as “an individual’s set of psychological
characteristics that affect that person’s ability and inclination to function morally,” it
mean that character can direction a person doing good or bad therefore shows
 function morally. Character education involve three aspects, are: cognitive, feeling
and action. Character building is education to "shape" a person's personality through
character education, the results can be seen in one's real actions, namely good
behavior, honesty, responsibility, respect for the rights of others, hard work and so
on. (Thomas Lickona, 1991).
Character building is a comprehensive effort so that people understand, care,
and behave according to basic ethical values. The object of character education is
values. These values are obtained through the internalization process of what is
known, which takes time so that good character is formed in accordance with the
values (life values which are the realities that exist in society) that are implanted
(Nurul Zuriah, 2007: 38).
Further, Tanan (2008) mentions nine pillars of character in general, there are:
believe in God and love with all his creation; independence and responsibility;
honesty; respect and courteous manner; philanthropists, cooperative; confidence and
hard working; leadership; humble, and; tolerance, peace, and unity.
2) The importance of character building in education
Tantra (2012) states that there are four reasons why character building should
be integrated in education. First, education is an effective process to develop
character. It is widely agreed that the character building should be started from the
family, and then school and also environment. Education in the family is the
fundamental education to develop a child with good character building. Education in
the school will also be developed to strengthen the good character building which
child has from the family. In the environment, child will have a chance to implement
the good character building in daily life interaction.
Second, education is a long term process. It means that education is stated from
child till died. Character building should be learned from a child. Third, by educating
character building beliefs to avoid bad character. Education is not only to develop
intellectual quotient, but also develop emotional quotient, social quotient, adversity
quotient, ecological quotient, and spiritual quotient.
Through education based on character building the students will have
opportunity to develop their potentials become optimal. And the fourth is through
education, the character building can be thought to the teachers, students and all of the
steak holders of the school.
3) How to developing character value in education
 There are three principles employed in implementing character building in
education so that the students know and accept the character values as theirs and they
become responsible for the values. The first principle is continuity. It means that the
process of implementing character values is a long-term process, starting from the very
beginning to the very end of an education stage.
The second principle is that the character values are integrated in all subject
matters, self-development activities, and the educational cultures. It means that the
character values are integrated in every subject, in every intra-curricular and extra-
curricular activities.
The third principle is that the character values are not concept that should be
taught discretely. Those values will also not be asked in the test. They are integrated in
the class activities. However, the students need to be aware that they are in the process of
developing character values.

C. How to Build Students’ Character Through ELT Online Learning

As we know that the character building of students is one of the main focuses in
the world of education. Likewise in learning English, character building is one of the
highlights that teachers must pay attention to. In the implementation of character
building through language learning, it turns out that it not only can be done through
offline classes, but can also be done in online class meetings.
Character building in students can be done through ELT learning. The stages
taken are almost similar to how to develop students’ character through face-to-face
classes. In principle, learning English is not only focused on students' cognitive
achievement and English skills, but also focuses on how English can form a good
character in each student. Similarly, when learning English through face-to-face classes,
in this ELT online learning, teachers must also teach about the social norms inherent in
the use of English.
Teachers can build students' character through detailed explanations of things,
good habits, and commendable behaviors that can be emulated from native English
speakers. In addition, to instill good morals in each student, teachers can apply special
rules at each online meeting. For example, reading a prayer before starting a discussion
or online learning, dressing well during online meetings, speaking politely during the
online learning process, and maintaining a good attitude in front of the camera during
online meetings.