Increasing Student Creativity as the Key to Successful Online Learning

Based on Circular Letter Number 4 of 2020 concerning the Implementation of Education Policy during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education and Culture  urged  all  educational institutions not to carry out teaching and learning directly or face to face,  but to carry out indirectly or remotely (online).

When studying at home, learning can be focused on life skills education, including on the Covid-19 pandemic. Learning in primary schools also uses online / distance learning with parental guidance. With online learning, students have flexibility in study time and can learn anytime and anywhere. Students can interact with teachers using several applications such as Google classroom, video conferencing, telephone or live chat, zoom or through WhatsApp groups. This learning is an educational innovation to answer the challenge of the availability of learning resources.

The success of a learning model or medium depends on the characteristics of the students. The conditions of distance learning also give students challenges and opportunities to rise up and step out of their comfort zone and existing routines. Online learning can be a good moment for nurturing students' creativity and making use of technology in keeping with its era.

Creative thinking can foster critical thinking, and critical thinking in turn can foster creative thinking (Boone, 2016). Online learning is one of the learning media used during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially to increase student creativity. This online learning will provide a mapping of thinking patterns. The mapping process made by students will have a creative effect on their thinking. Creative thinking is needed by everyone, especially students entering adolescence. Creative education will shape a person's creativity and talent, which is formed through learning media.

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, students' activities in their surroundings are very limited and some students do not even leave the house to do any activity. From this, the role of the family and teachers is very much needed to develop students' creativity during their developmental period.

Creativity-based education is very much needed in the midst of this pandemic; through such education, students gain broader insight into various perspectives. In creative education, teachers play a major role in developing students' mindset. This mindset will lead to students' creativity. With this creative education, students will enjoy learning, especially when at home. This is because creative education requires students to develop their work as attractively as possible.

According to Munandar (2002:68), regarding the development of students' creativity, creativity is viewed from four aspects: First, the personal aspect, namely the aspect of the student that drives creativity. Second, the driving aspect, namely students' growing understanding that influences thinking power and creativity. Third, the process aspect, namely the process of carrying out the making of an idea from creative thinking. Fourth, the product aspect, namely the result of creative thinking (ideas) made so beautifully, then used according to each student's learning needs.

From the aspects above, a strategy can be put together that can be used to increase students' creativity so that there is an improvement in understanding of the learning material.

First, technology literacy. Students' high understanding of the use of technology in online learning is one of the successes of online learning. Mastery and understanding of the technology to be used for online learning is something students must do during online learning. With the development of the technology era 4.0, more and more features or applications are used as means of online learning.

Second, intrapersonal communication skills. Intrapersonal  skills  are  needed  for  interaction  and  relationships  with other students during online learning. As social beings, we still need interaction with others even though online learning is carried out independently. Therefore,  students must still be trained in interpersonal skills and communication skills for life in society.

Third, holding active discussions. These active discussions are held by designing a talk show with invited speakers to be interviewed. The material presented must also be relatable, that is, related to the problems students face at the time and have the potential to increase students' creativity.

Fourth, independent learning skills. The ability to  learn  independently  is a characteristic of online learning. During the learning process, students will search for, discover and draw conclusions about what they have learned on their own.  As  stated  by Kirkman (2007), independent learning is a process in which students are directly involved in identifying what needs to be learned and become the ones in control of the learning process. When learning independently, the element of motivation becomes very important in determining the success of the learning process.

Online learning can foster creativity both through the learning methods and the learning media used. Through online learning media, students will be better helped in the creativity-based learning process, for which there are several strategies that can be implemented to realise such learning. With increased student creativity, the success of online learning will be achieved.

Newspaper: Mata Banua

link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hU5Cxm1w-w2HQ9-WCmrNIuQ7XCbuPr-E/view