Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, including Indonesia, all forms of outdoor activities had to be carried out indoors. Starting from work to students who are still studying at school, everything must be carried out in their respective homes. It has been more than a year since the Corona virus has been present on the face of the earth, and during that time students in Indonesia have participated in online learning.

Online learning is one way that was initiated by the Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, as the most effective solution so that teaching and learning activities can still be carried out even though the pandemic hit. Nadiem believes that health is the main thing, but education is no less important for the bright future of the Indonesian nation.

The change in learning methods from conventional systems to online learning then becomes a new challenge for all educational instruments; be it students, teachers, parents, to the central and local governments. When compared, the conventional system is certainly very different from the online classes that are currently being conducted. Previously, teachers could supervise students directly during class hours. But this cannot be done in online classes because the teacher will try to fully trust the students who take part in teaching and learning activities from home.

Teachers not only cannot supervise students directly, but teachers also have to think about how to optimally deliver subject matter through online classes. Sometimes, just listening to the teacher’s material in the classroom can be boring, let alone just listening to it from a smart device? Therefore, teachers face the second challenge, which is to create fun learning while students study online.

Teachers have a very important role in determining the quality of the nation’s education. With the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers can use this moment as a way to improve the quality of teaching by trying to create fun learning for students while studying online from home.

So, how do you create fun teaching and learning activities for students during online classes? Here are some ways to implement fun learning during live teaching for teachers throughout Indonesia.

  1. Prepare good learning tools

The distance learning system has different challenges from the previous system. In conventional classrooms, teachers can face the challenge of making face-to-face learning in the classroom fun using teaching aids that students can use directly. However, it cannot be applied to online classes. In online classes, teachers and students are only connected via the internet network which is transmitted via smart devices so that there is no direct interaction. This is a challenge for teachers to make learning fun for students. Smart devices and connecting platforms are key to the success of online classes. Therefore, teachers should prepare good learning tools for students. The learning tools provided not only have a good internet network, but also have up-to-date learning features. Teachers can take advantage of quiz service platforms, video conferencing, video editors, and so on to prepare learning materials that are not boring.

  1. Teach varied learning methods

Students will certainly feel bored if the teacher only provides learning materials that they can actually read on their own through textbooks or student worksheets. If the learning tools have been prepared properly, then the next task is to find a different learning method from what the teacher has applied before. With different learning methods, students become more interested in participating in online teaching and learning activities. Teachers can combine conventional learning methods with new methods that teachers find. For example, teachers can create quizzes or prepare creative study videos. The new methods that the teacher finds will certainly not make students feel bored.

  1. Applying contextual learning

Contextual learning or Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) is a comprehensive or holistic learning process. Contextual learning emphasizes students to be able to understand the meaning of the subject matter taught in schools according to the context of everyday life such as personal, social, and cultural contexts. Contextual learning is very well applied by teachers because it will train students to have knowledge and skills that can be applied in real life, not just learning theory. In addition, this learning model can improve students’ observation skills. More specifically, what is meant by implementing contextual learning is that the teacher tries to bring real-world situations into the classroom. The teacher invites students to string up relationships between one knowledge and another, and how to apply it in social life. In addition to making the class less boring and fun, there are some positive impacts if the teacher applies contextual learning. Students can build their own knowledge (constructivism), become an active questioning person (questioning), be active in finding knowledge or concepts being studied (inquiry), can work and learn together in a learning community (learning community), do modeling (modeling), reflection (reflection), and applying the actual assessment (authentic assessment).

  1. Pay attention to the ability of each student

This is very important to do because the teacher can find out the extent of each student’s understanding of the subject matter given. Thus, the teacher can match the student’s ability limit with the learning model that will be applied.

  1. Get to know the character of each student

It is undeniable, fun learning can be established when there is an inner bond between teachers and students. This is what teachers should try to get up with their respective students. One way to establish an emotional bond between teachers and students is that the teacher pays attention to the abilities of each student. Why is that? When the teacher pays attention to the student’s character, the teacher can recognize the personal advantages of his students, such as intelligence and interests and talents. It can also assist teachers in choosing the right way to greet, teach, and assist students during the learning process. Teachers who try and want to be close to students usually make the students themselves feel comfortable, so there is no compulsion in taking online classes. The learning process will be more fun and meaningful for them.

  1. Involve students in teaching and learning activities

To present a fun learning system during life teaching, you can’t just rely on the teacher and everything that the teacher has. However, the teacher can invite students to participate in the teaching and learning process so that an interactive class is formed in it. For example, the teacher gives each student the opportunity to lead the opening of an online class in rotation. By giving students a role, they will feel responsible for the success of the online class.

  1. Give positive labels to students

The last method is a method that teachers often forget to do. In fact, this method plays an important role in establishing emotional bonds with students so that they can take online classes without being forced. Positive speech can maintain student motivation when learning online. To be sure, teachers need to avoid giving negative labels to students, yes! There is no human in this world who likes to be labeled negatively by others, especially in front of many people. Instead of creating fun learning, the online classes that are held actually make students lazy to participate because they don’t want to hear negative labels from the teachers who teach.