Developing Virtual Communication Skills in Online Learning Based on Modified PBL During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to determine the virtual communication skills of students in the Vertebrate Zoology course, the subject of the Reptile Class with the example of the Varanus salvator species. The research was conducted by survey method using an adaptation observation sheet from the 2012 Greenstein instrument. Data collection was carried out on modified online Problem Based Learning (PBL) using Zoom meeting and WhatsApp Group (WAG). While presentation and organizing stages were carried out by class discussion on Zoom, the problems that have been formulated were discussed by each group using a WAG. The data obtained were analyzed quantitatively, using the percentage formula (Akbar, 2013) in the book Learning Device Instruments and showed the results that the percentage of oral communication skills was 86.73%, of the skills to understand the intent/purpose of communication was 85.65%, of the skills to use communication strategies was 86.57%, and of presentation skills was 85.19%, with each criterion falling in the category ‘Exceeded Expectations’. Meanwhile, viewing the percentage results and aiming the target of 84.57%, the two receptive communication skills listening and reading were included in the ‘Satisfactory’ category. The general percentage of communication skills of 85.16% as average was included in the category ‘Exceeding Expectations’. This finding suggests that communication which included oral communication skills, receptive communication skills, understanding the purpose of communication, using communication strategies, communicating clearly for a purpose, and presentation skills can be achieved virtually.