NEW STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTANCE LEARNING SKILLS TRAINING (PKBJJ) UNIVERSITAS TERBUKA MAKASSAR

Abstract

Long-Distance Learning Skills Training (PKBJJ) intend to preparing the students to posses the ability to read effectively and utilize UT’s online service for studying purpose. PKBJJ is a mandatory for all new students from Diploma, Bachelor to Magister. PKBJJ are attended by new students after they participate in the New Student Study Orientation (OSMB) activities. However, if new students do not take part in OSMB and PKBJJ activities according to the schedule set by the UPBJJ-UT, they must take part in these activities at the Learning Clinic based on the schedule prepared by the UPBJJ. Students who take part in PKBJJ thoroughly will receive a training certificate which when they graduate, it will become part of the Diploma Companion Certificate (SKPI). This research aims to make a scientific contribution for long distance learning skills training (PKBJJ) using descriptive variables. To obtain valid data, this study used a questionnaire on new students at the Universitas Terbuka UPBJJ-Makassar for the 2019.2 registration period , thera are 328 of them. Respondents for this study were obtained when PKBJJ activities were taking place in several regions, which is: Pangkep-Maros, Sidrap-Pinrang, Bone-Wajo, Tana Toraja-North Toraja, and Luwu Raya. The data processing techniques were implemented on this research are the frequency method, tables, and statistical data. This research succeeded in finding that in the process of long distance learning skills training the following indicators are required: The relevance of activities to needs in the amount of 4. 166 ; b) Implementation of interactive training in the amount of 4,000; c) Respondents' assessment of PKBJJ training materials in the amount of 4,410; d) Respondents' assessment of the instructor's capability in the amount of  4,318; and e) The preperation of all staff from UT in the amount of 4,230; and f) Student responses to facilities and consumption in the amount of 4,395. By using the six PKBJJ indicators, this study showed results that all classified in the good category, but the highest respondents' ratings in that category were on training material which was considered very important to be known by new UT students. So overall the perception of new students who took part in the 2019.2 PKBJJ training at UPBJJ-UT Makassar obtained an average score of ≥ 4,000 which is classified as very good. The results of implementing PKBJJ and it succeed in run the training and long distance learning skills will have the effect of significantly increasing student interest and learning achievement.