Background of Study

Education is a part of the cultural inheritance from one generation to another. It is

like a born-baby who is already in a certain cultural environment. In the community
environment where a baby is born, there are certain habits, prohibitions, teachings, and
suggestions as desired by the community.
The learning process in school is the best public policy tool as an effort to increase
knowledge and skills (Persell in Aji, 2020: 396). Hence, many students think that school is
a very fun activity because they can interact with each other. Schools can improve
students' social skills and social class awareness. School as a whole is a medium of
interaction between students and teachers to improve their intelligence, skills, and
affections between them. However, school activity has currently being stopped suddenly
because of Covid-19 interference. To what extent is the impact on the learning process in
schools? Especially for Indonesia, there is a lot of evidence when schools greatly affect
productivity and economic growth (Baharin, 2020: 139).
Covid-19 presents new challenges for the world, in terms of health, economy, and
education. The policies made by the Government for this Pandemic indeed is detrimental
to many parties. Lockdown policies and PSBB (Large-Scale Social Restrictions) in
various parts of the world have forced health processes and systems, and especially
education to change (Chick et al., In Putra, 2020: 1).
The Covid-19 virus in Indonesia currently impacts the entire community. According
to Kompas (28/03/2020), the impact of the Covid-19 virus affects various fields such as
social, economic, tourism, and education. The Circular (SE) issued by the government on
March 18, 2020, all indoor and outdoor activities in all sectors are temporarily postponed
to reduce the spread of Corona, especially in the education sector. On March 24, 2020, the
Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia issued circular number 4
of 2020 concerning the implementation of education policies in an emergency for the
spread of COVID. In the circular, it was explained that the learning process should be
carried out at home through online learning to provide meaningful learning experiences
for students. Studying at home can focus on life skills education, among others, regarding
the Covid-19 pandemic.
Elementary schools are also suggested to implement online learning through parental
guidance. According to Isman (2016: 36), online learning is the use of internet networks in
the learning process. By using online learning, students have flexibility in terms of study
time and place. Students can interact with the teacher using several applications such as
 Google Classroom, video conference, telephone or live chat, Zoom, or via Whatsapp
group. This new way of learning is an educational innovation to answer the challenges of
the availability of varied learning resources. The success of a model or learning media
depends on the characteristics of the students.

A. Significances of Study
Theoretically, the results of this study are expected to enrich the concepts, theories
of science from research on learning English education. While practically, this research is
expected to add insight into science by going directly into the field and providing learning
experiences that foster research abilities and skills as well as deeper knowledge, especially
in the field being studied and can also be used as the application of theories obtained in
college. The results of this study are also expected to provide an overview and input to the
teacher in implementing online learning.

ONLINE LEARNING
E-learning itself is a form of a distance learning concept. The form of e-learning
itself is quite broad, a portal containing scientific information which can be said to be
an e-learning site (Jones, 2001: 5). Therefore, e-learning or Internet-enabled learning
combines teaching methods and technology as a means of learning. According to
Waller (2001: 10), e-learning is an effective learning process produced by combining
digital material delivery which consists of support and services in learning.
Based on the description above, it can be concluded that e-learning is a distance
learning method relying more on internet technology to connect.
1. Characteristics of e-learning
Rusman, et al (2013) explain some of the characteristics of e-learning, including:
a. utilizing electronic technology services,
b. taking advantage of the superiority of the computer,
c. using independent teaching materials,
d. making use of the learning schedule, curriculum, results of learning progress, and
matters related to educational administration that can be viewed at any time on the
computer.
2. Criteria of e-learning
Rosenberg (2001) argues that e-learning is one of the uses of internet technology
in delivering a wide range of learning based on three criteria, namely:
 a. Enabling the ability to update, store, distribute, and share teaching materials or
information using the internet
b. Using computers with standard internet technology to deliver the materials to the
end-user
c. Focusing on the broadest view of learning behind the traditional learning paradigm.
Some interpret e-learning as a form of distance education conducted through
internet media. E-learning is a conventional form of learning that is translated into
digital format through internet technology. Hence, e-learning can be used as a distance
learning system.
3. Kinds of e-learning
According to Setiawardhani (2013: 84) in its development, e-learning is divided
into two parts, namely:
a. E-learning as Distance-learning (Distance Learning).
A form of e-learning where students do not need to attend educational
institutions directly. Therefore, from the time the student registers, carries out
learning activities, takes exams, until he is declared to have passed and is entitled to
receive a certificate happens online. Generally, a system like this will charge a
certain amount of fees to students for the educational services they have provided
during the education period. Such a system will certainly require strong and
sustainable infrastructure and management support because if not, it can give a bad
image for graduates or alumni.
b. e-learning as a support for conventional learning systems.
A form of e-learning that only supports the process of teaching and learning activities in the
classroom. The implementation of this form is easier and cheaper when compared to the first
form of e-learning above, both in terms of infrastructure and managerial.

LEARNING COMPONENTS
a. Learning Materials
Learning materials are arranged systematically by following the principles of
psychology. Thus, the learning materials can reflect a clear target of student behavior
after experiencing the teaching and learning process. Learning materials must have a
clear scope and sequence according to the stated objectives. Moreover, learning
materials should be within the scope of the curriculum content. Therefore, in selecting
the learning materials, the curriculum is important to be taken into account.
 b. Learning methods
The learning method is a way of doing or presenting, describing, and giving
practice content to students to achieve certain goals. Teacher-defined learning methods
allow students to learn processes, not just the product which only emphasizes the
cognitive side. Meanwhile, learning the process can enable the achievement of learning
objectives in terms of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.
Therefore, the learning method is directed to achieve these goals, namely
emphasizing more learning through the process. In this case, the teacher is required to
be able to understand the position of the method as a component taking part in the
success of teaching and learning activities. Hence, to carry out the learning process, it is
necessary to think about the appropriate learning method.
c. Learning Media
Learning is an activity that involves students and teachers using a variety of
learning resources both in the classroom and outside the classroom. In that sense, the
media used for learning are not identical with the conventional learning but more
focused on the media included in learning activities.

B. The Barriers to Online Learning

Effendi (2005: 47) reveals the constraints and barriers to implementing online
learning as follows:
1. Investation
Although online learning can ultimately save you the cost of education, it will require a
very large investment in the beginning, such as money to buy the equipment needed for
online learning.
2. Culture
Online learning requires a culture of independent learning and the ability to study or
follow learning through computers or other devices.
3. Technology and Infrastructure
Online learning requires the right computer or other devices, a reliable network, and the
right technology.
 CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHOD
In this chapter, the researcher discusses the method of conducting this study. The
discussion of this chapter covers the research design, data collecting method, instruments of
the research, technique of data analysis, and data validity.
A. Research design
This type of research is quantitative research in the form of a survey. Survey
research is a critical observation or investigation to get clear and good information on a
particular problem in a certain area. The purpose of the survey is to get a picture that
represents an area correctly (Margono, 2000: 29).
This study aims to determine the barriers to online learning during the Covid-19
Pandemic in English subjects by surveying 8th-grade students of SMPN 2 Mlati.
B. The Object of Research
The object of this research is the barriers to online learning during the Covid-19
Pandemic in English subjects in the 8th-grade of SMPN 2 Mlati.
C. Data and Data Sources
1. Data
Data in this research are survey results obtained from questionnaires distributed.
2. Data Source
The data sources are from questionnaires.