The university recommends the use of STAR (Student Teacher Aesthetic Role-Sharing) learning system. It is a combination between SCL (Student Centered Learning) and TCL (Teacher Centered Learning). In SCL, students must be actively involved in the study process, while the role of the teacher is as a facilitator. The class activities include discussions, presentations, demonstrations, role-plays, etc. In TCL, the teacher is the source of the learning process. The class activities include lecture, in-class exercise, etc. Both methods are used in the programme. Other teaching methods used in the programme are study assignment, which is applied in most courses, and tutorial, which is used in several foundational courses. Laboratory work is conducted in several modules which specifies technical learning outcomes. According to the regulation at the faculty level, the number of students in each class must not exceed 80, mostly between 40 to 60 students. Since the size of most classes is small, it is possible to implement the STAR learning system.
For each class of each course, a Semester Learning Activity Plan (RPKPS or Rencana Program dan Kegiatan Pembelajaran Semester) is constructed for the semester. RPKPS contains the identity of the course, the description and objectives of the course, the course learning outcomes, each of which is mapped to the programme learning outcome, detail syllabus of the course, course references, assessment and evaluation methods, and weekly activity plan. Using this guideline, students will be able to prepare their learning activity in advance.
The e-learning media to be used in the university is eLisa (http://elisa.ugm.ac.id). Using the system, the teacher is able to upload the course materials, assignments, and quizzes. The students may submit assignments and quizzes, and download the course materials. Students and teacher may also discuss a specific topic in the system.
Since 1 (one) credit in our system consists of in-class activities, outside-class planned learning activities, as well as independent activities, the learning process will be well-balanced between attendance-based learning and self-study. Each teacher must assure that the workload of each student meets the required workload for them for a specific module.
In order to familiarize students with independent academic research, there are several mandatory modules which are related to academic research, namely Academic Writing, Research Methodology of Computer Science, Seminar, Thesis Proposal and Thesis. In the Seminar module, a student must review several paper related to a specific topic and present it in a class seminar. The teacher will assess the presentation. The Thesis Proposal Thesis module requires the students to write the research proposal for their thesis, while in Thesis Module, the students need to write their thesis and defend the thesis in front of a reviewer team. Moreover, paper assignments are given to students, especially in advanced modules. In these assignments, students have to write a paper on a specific topic. Sometimes, they also need to present the paper in class.
Several guidelines for teachers about the learning system implemented in the programme, which is also applied at the university level, are attached. They are: “Pembelajaran Berpusat Mahasiswa”, “Interaksi Kelas”, “Pembelajaran di Laboratorium”, “Komputer dalam Proses Pembelajaran”, and “Tutorial”.
