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p 123 – 131   

Effectivity of Asynchronous Learning  

on Theoretical Compared to  

Theoretical-Practical Courses at  

Film Department Universitas Multimedia Nusantara 
 

Annita1, Yosef Budi Susanto2  
1Film Department, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara 
2Graduate Program in Management of Technology, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara 

E-mail: 1annita@umn.ac.id, 2bsusanto@umn.ac.id 

 
Abstract  

Implementation of the e-learning method is a necessity, both synchronous and 

asynchronous modes.  Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN) encourages all of its 

study programs to implement both synchronous and asynchronous.  Meanwhile, there 

are two types, of course, theoretical and theoretical-practical courses.  Due to the 

specific nature of its learning process, the effectiveness of asynchronous learning is not 

yet proven. This research aims to evaluate implementing the asynchronous method on 

theoretical and practical courses at Film Department, UMN. The research was done 

quantitatively, using descriptive analysis and comparative test method, involving two 

hundred ninety-five respondents who participated in the study by filling questionnaires. 

The evaluation was done on the effectiveness of seven courses categorized into two 

types: theoretical and theoretical-practical courses. The results indicate that the 

implementation of asynchronous e-learning on seven courses is effective.  Furthermore, 

there is no significant difference between the implementation of asynchronous e-

learning on theoretical and theoretical-practical courses. Based on this study, it is 

recommended that lecturers who apply asynchronous learning in their classes be more 

active in responding to the students. Challenging activities can also be added to make 

the discussion forum more active.  

 

Keywords: effectivity, asynchronous, online learning 

 

 

Efektivitas Pembelajaran Asynchronous pada Mata Kuliah Teori dan Praktik  

di Prodi Film Universitas Multimedia Nusantara 

 

Abstrak 

Penerapan metode e-learning merupakan suatu kebutuhan, baik berbentuk sinkron 

maupun asinkron. Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN) mendorong seluruh 

program studinya untuk menerapkan kedua bentuk e-learning ini. Sementara itu, ada 

dua jenis mata kuliah, teori dan praktik. Karena sifat spesifik dari proses 

pembelajarannya, efektivitas pembelajaran asinkron belum terbukti. Penelitian ini 

bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi efektivitas penerapan metode asinkron pada mata kuliah 

teori dan praktik di Prodi Film UMN. Penelitian ini dilakukan secara kuantitatif, 

menggunakan metode analisis deskriptif dan uji komparatif, dengan melibatkan dua 

ratus sembilan puluh lima responden yang berpartisipasi dalam penelitian dengan 

mengisi kuesioner. Evaluasi dilakukan terhadap efektivitas tujuh mata kuliah yang 

dikategorikan menjadi dua jenis, yaitu teori dan praktik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan 

bahwa penerapan e-learning asynchronous pada tujuh mata kuliah sudah efektif. Tidak 

terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antara penerapan e-learning asinkron pada mata 

kuliah teori dan praktik. Berdasarkan penelitian ini, disarankan agar dosen yang 

menerapkan pembelajaran asinkron di kelasnya lebih aktif dalam merespon 



 

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mahasiswa. Kegiatan yang menarik juga dapat ditambahkan untuk membuat forum 

diskusi lebih aktif. 

 

Kata kunci: efektivitas, asinkron, pembelajaran online 

 

 

INTRODUCTION  
The pandemic has shaken education around the world. Many parties are 

concerned about its impacts on students, such as lengthening graduation and 

shattering their academic plans (Kasar et al., 2021; Onyema et al., 2020). The long-

term effect of the overnight change to distance learning is also daunting. Inequality 

in education due to insufficient resources (Giatman et al., 2020) and proper 

implementation may lead to a bigger problem in the future (Murat & Bonacini, 

2020). Distance learning has been forced to be the solution to this problem. Schools 

and universities migrated to the online platform weeks after the outbreaks (Bao, 

2020; Rajhans et al., 2020; UNESCO, 2020).  

Like other educational institutions, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara 

(UMN) has altered to an online platform to cater to students' learning needs. 

Training on how to use the Learning Management System (LMS) and improvement 

on the system have been done continuously. At the Film Department, the 

adjustment to online learning is a challenge due to the nature of the study that 

requires film production (Annita, 2020). The department implements synchronous 

and asynchronous learning. The synchronous delivered through Zoom fulfils the 

social interaction among students and lecturers (McBrien et al., 2009). Meanwhile, 

the asynchronous is served through the university Moodle-based LMS. The LMS 

permits various learning media to be utilized in an integrated way in the learning 

process (Saputro & Susilowati, 2019; Schwartz et al., 2020) 

The asynchronous activities applied by UMN strictly follow PEDATI 

(Chaeruman, 2017). PEDATI stands for: PElajari (learn), DAlami (comprehend), 

Terapkan (apply), and EvaluasI (evaluate). The materials designed by the Film 

Department and the E-learning team include teaching videos, slides, quizzes, 

discussion forums, and assignments (Annita, 2020). After two years of 

implementation in the department, this paper aims to analyze the effectiveness of 

asynchronous teaching at the Film Department UMN. The asynchronous is applied 

in theory-based and combination of theory and practice-based courses. The 

researchers will examine the effectivity of the asynchronous through several 

components: materials, video, assignments, quizzes, interaction, learning duration, 

overall asynchronous learning. This research elaborates the author's previous 

research on the students' perception of asynchronous learning (Annita, 2020). 

 

 



 

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MATERIALS AND METHOD  
Researchers collected data for this study through questionnaires distributed 

at the end of the even semester of the 2020/2021 academic year. The study uses a 

5-point Likert scale which ranges from strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), neutral 

(3), agree (4), and strongly agree (5). Questionnaires were distributed to the third 

and fifth-year students of the Film Department who have taken these courses, which 

were offered in the even semester of 2020/2021 academic year: 

Table 1. Courses that implement asynchronous 

Courses Type  

Film Marketing Theory  

Image and Sound Concept Theory  

Introduction to Creative Business Theory  

Acting For Directors Theory + Practice 

Camera and Sound Recording Theory + Practice 

Experimental Film and Animation Theory + Practice 

Voice Acting Theory + Practice 

 

Asynchronous learning was implemented in the courses above, range from 

2 to 10 meetings. Students were required to complete the learning modules for each 

session: reading materials, teaching video, assignment, quiz, and discussion forum. 

The questionnaires were divided into four sections. The first was about the data of 

the courses taken. The second was about the effectiveness of each element of 

asynchronous learning. The questions were categorized into six variables as follow: 

Table 2. Operationalization of variables 

No Variables Code 

Operational 

Definition Indicators 

1 
Effectivity of 

materials 
EM 

The degree to 

which the 

material is 

absorbed/unde

rstood by 

students. 

EM1 The amount of the materials given is 

appropriate to the number of course 

credits. 

EM2 The materials accommodate the course 

requirements 

EM3 The materials enrich my knowledge. 

EM4 The portion between theory and practice 

is proportional 

2 
Effectivity of 

videos 
EV 

The degree to 

which videos 

help students 

understand the 

subjects 

EV1 The videos help me understand the 

subject 

EV2 The video duration is proportional 

3 
Effectivity of 

assignments 
EA 

The degree to 

which 

assignment 

helps students 

understand the 

subjects 

EA1 The assignments help me understand the 

subjects 

EA2 I have enough time to do the assignments 

EA3 The scores are given based on a clear 

scoring rubric. 



 

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4 
Effectivity of 

quizzes 
EQ 

The degree to 

which quizzes 

help students 

understand the 

subjects  

EQ1 The quizzes help me to understand the 

subjects 

EQ2 I have enough time to do the quizzes 

5 
Effectivity of 

interaction 
EI 

The degree to 

which the 

forum helps 

students 

actively 

participate in 

the discussion. 

EI1 I have the opportunity to discuss with 

other students actively. 

EI2 I have the opportunity to discuss with the 

lecturer actively. 

EI3 the interaction between lecturer and 

students is active. 

EI4 The interaction among students is active. 

6 
Effectivity of 

duration 
ED 

The degree to 

which 

asynchronous 

learning 

duration helps 

students 

understand the 

subjects 

ED1 The learning duration is appropriate to 

the number of course credits. 

 

The third section was about the effectivity of overall asynchronous learning. It was 

defined as the degree to which asynchronous learning helps students understand the 

material. This was categorized as EO. The last section was dedicated to students’ 

feedback for asynchronous learning. 

 

 

 

RESULTS  
A. Descriptive measurement  

Three hundred fourteen respondents participated in the survey. However, 19 

were invalid. Thus, two hundred ninety-five respondents were counted in this 

survey. Two hundred two students were in courses that combined theory and 

practice, categorized as Group 1. At the same time, 93 students were in theory-

based courses.  

The first step in this research is to find the descriptive analysis using SPSS. 

Based on statistic data processing, the result is as follow:  
 

Table 3. Mean of Effectivity Variables  

No Variable 
Group 1 

(Theory+Practice) 

Group 2 

(Theory) 

Significance 

of difference 

EM Effectivity of materials 3,7809 3,828 .572 

EV Effectivity of videos 3,9183 3,9355 .664 

EA Effectivity of 

assignments 
3,7195 3,767 .393 

EQ Effectivity of quizzes 3,6485 3,6989 .611 

EI Effectivity of interaction 3,3391 3,293 .525 



 

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ED Effectivity of duration 3,78 3,86 .286 

EO Effectivity of overall 

asynchronous learning 
3,6898 3,6846 .214 

 

B. Measurement result of effectivity of asynchronous learning  

The next step after getting the result of the descriptive analysis is to find the 

interval evaluation. The study uses a 5-point Likert scale with 1 as the lowest and 5 

as the highest scores. The formula to get the interval is as follow: 

 

Interval = (highest score – lowest score)/highest score 

   = (5-1)/5 

  = 0.8  

 
Table 4. Interval table 

Interval Meaning 

1.0 – 1.8 Very Ineffective 

1.8 – 2.6 Ineffective 

2.6 – 3.4 Moderate 

3.4 – 4.2 Effective 

4.2 – 5  Very effective 

 

Based on the data shown in the table above, we can see that the means for 

EM, EV, EA, EQ, ED, and EO for both groups are between 3,6485 and 3,9355. 

From here, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the materials, videos, 

assignments, quizzes, and duration are effective for theory-based and theory and 

practice-based courses. It means asynchronous learning is effective to be applied in 

both types of courses. 

For EI, the means is 3,3391 for group 1 (theory and practice-based courses) 

and 3,293 for group 2 (theory-based courses). It indicates that the effectiveness of 

interaction in theory-based and theory and practice-based courses is moderate. 

 

B.1.  The measurement result of significance of the difference between groups 

1 and 2 

For a variable to be considered significantly different, the score should be < 

0.05. However, from table 2 the significant difference for all variables is above 

0.05. It can be concluded that asynchronous learning for theory-based and practice-

based courses is not significantly different in terms of effectivity of materials, 

videos, assignments, quizzes, interaction, duration, and students' perception toward 

asynchronous learning. 

 

 

 

 



 

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DISCUSSION  

As we can see from the findings, the result of this study is positive. The data 

analysis shows that asynchronous learning is effective in both theory-based and 

theory and practice-based courses. There is no significant difference between both 

types of courses regarding the analyzed components of asynchronous learning: 

materials, videos, assignments, quizzes, interaction, duration, and students' 

perception.     

 

1. Effectivity of materials  

 The means for the effectivity of material for theory and practice-based 

courses is 3,7809, whereas for theory-based courses is 3,828. From the result, it can 

be concluded that materials for both types, of course, are effective. The materials 

developed by the Film Department follow the course requirements and credits. The 

materials also enrich students’ knowledge of the subjects taught. The result also 

indicates that the portion between theory and practice in the course is proportional. 

Although the result is effective, some participants prefer to have practice supervised 

directly by the teacher because they are unsure whether they are doing it right. 

Besides, they also want the teacher to give them instant feedback toward the 

practice, which couldn’t be done if it is in asynchronous mode. 

 

2. Effectivity of videos 

 The means for this variable is the highest among all variables tested. The 

means for theory and practice-based courses is 3,9183, whereas for theory-based 

courses is 3,9355. It indicates that the videos provided in the asynchronous are 

effective. The videos help participants understand the subjects. Furthermore, the 

duration is proportional. The duration of the video is around 8-10 minutes. If the 

topic discussed is long, it will be divided into two or more videos. The length 

follows the suggestion from PEDATI. 

 

3. Effectivity of assignments 

 For this variable, the means for theory and practice-based courses is 3,7195. 

The means for theory is 3,767. This variable is also considered effective. The 

assignments help participants to understand the subjects taught. Participants have 

enough time to do the assignments. For asynchronous mode, participants have five 

days to do and submit the assignment to the LMS. Some participants suggest that it 

will be better if the teacher reminds students of the deadline of the assignments so 

that they can submit the assignments on time. 

 

 

 



 

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4. Effectivity of quizzes 

 For theory and practice-based courses, the means is 3,6485, whereas for the 

theory-based course is 3,6989. The variable result is effective. Participants agree 

that the quizzes help them to understand the subjects. They also have enough time 

to do the quizzes. The time allocated for doing a quiz is 10 minutes. Each quiz 

consists of 10-15 multiple choice questions related to the subject discussed. 

  

5. Effectivity of interaction 

 The means for this variable is moderate: 3,3391 for the theory and practice-

based courses and 3,293 for the theory. The feedback from the participants also 

supports the result. They mention that the interaction is not like the regular face-to-

face meeting. Some students feel demotivated because they don't experience direct 

interaction. To accommodate this, activities that can motivate students' interaction 

can be applied. For example, online debate, in which students may choose a side on 

certain topics and share their thoughts. They are motivated to challenge or dispute 

the opponents' ideas. Topics for such activity need to be carefully selected. It will 

be better if the issues are about hot topics on related discussed subjects. Participants 

of this study also suggest opening a Q and A forum with lecturers. They want 

lecturers to be more active in the discussion and give them quick responses. Another 

suggestion is to open a challenge forum for students to test a new method/way of 

exercising—for example, a challenge to experiment on "bokeh" cinematography. 

Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of an image's out-of-focus blur (Hicks and Nisperos 

2000). The result of the experiment is to be shared and discussed in the forum. 

 

6. Effectivity of duration 

 The result of this variable is effective. The means for theory and practice-

based courses is 3,78, and the theory-based courses is 3,86. The participants agree 

that the learning duration is appropriate to the number of course credits. The 

duration has been carefully calculated and checked by the E-learning team. The 

instructional designer will analyze the lesson plans and ensure that every required 

item follows the regulation before production. 

 

7. Effectivity of overall asynchronous learning 

 The means for this variable in theory and practice-based courses is 3,6898, 

whereas in theory-based is 3,6846. In general, students have a positive perception 

of asynchronous learning. Based on the feedback, they like asynchronous learning 

because they can manage their schedule to learn. This flexibility gives them the 

freedom to work at their pace of learning. However, some also mention that they 

miss the face-to-face class meeting because they like to socialize with other friends. 

 



 

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CONCLUSION  

This study shows that the asynchronous learning applied in the chosen 

courses is effective. The asynchronous follows PEDATI principles that require the 

learning modules to have teaching videos, materials, assignments, quizzes, and 

discussion forums. The modules must be adjusted to the learning duration designed 

in the lesson plans. Despite the positive result, this study has some weaknesses. 

First, it does not differentiate the gender of the participants. Thus, we cannot see 

whether there is a different result between male and female respondents. Second, 

the study should be conducted separately. One is for theory-based courses only. The 

other is for the theory and practice courses. Thus, students who have taken both 

types of courses can give independent comments for each course.  Further research 

on confirming that the effectiveness of the discussed variables has adversely 

affected asynchronous learning needs to be done. Exploring more on how to 

improve asynchronous learning might open up new ways of reaching out to 

students. 

 

 

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