Educator Synergy for Inclusive Distance Learning

Every year, lecturers from the Special Education Study Program, Faculty of Education (FIP), Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) conduct Community Service (P2M) as a form of higher education's tri dharma (three pillars). This P2M program is carried out by utilizing the knowledge and technology possessed by each lecturer to make a real contribution to society. This year, the P2M of the Special Education Study Program, FIP UNJ, adopted the theme "Empowering Subject Teachers in Learning for Students with Special Needs at the Junior High School Level," designed as a webinar. Through a series of webinar agendas held on Zoom Meeting, several lecturers from the Special Education Study Program, FIP UNJ, who conducted this P2M, invited 75 teachers across East Jakarta to understand and implement appropriate distance learning for students with special needs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The webinar, held for two consecutive days on July 24-25, 2020, also involved one of Jakarta's communities dedicated to educating about inclusion; Kita Inklusi. Lecturers participating in this P2M also served as speakers or presenters during the two-day webinar. These lecturers included Indra Jaya, M.Pd, who presented on "Implementation of Inclusive Education," and Dr. Murni Winarsih, M.Pd, who delivered material on "Getting to Know Students with Special Needs Better in Inclusive Education Schools," both presented on the first day of the webinar. On the second day, Dr. Wuryani, M.Pd, explained "Whole Language Learning Techniques for Students with Learning Difficulties," Suprihatin, Ed.D, presented on "Identification and Assessment for Students with Special Needs," and Lisfatul Fatinah, S.Pd, representing the Kitainklusi Community, delivered "Distance Learning Strategies for Students with Special Needs During the Pandemic." This series of webinar agendas was enthusiastically welcomed by teachers who have students with special needs in regular classes. This was evident from the active participation of teachers in discussions and Q&A sessions. Suprihatin, Ed.D, hoped that this agenda could serve as an educational opportunity for participating teachers to enhance their teaching competencies.