English Students’ Perception on the Use of Edlink Platform during Covid-19 Pandemic at University

Online learning is any learning that uses the internet or web-based. Online learning can be done by using learning applications, one of which is the Edlink platform. This research aims at explaining the perception of English education students on the use of Edlink platform during covid-19 pandemic. This research used descriptive-quantitative research methods. The population of the research was the first, third, and fifth semester student in English department in Universitas Lancang Kuning. The researchers selected a sample of 45 students from the population. In the data collection, researchers used questionnaires. Before being handed out the questionnaire tested its validity and reliability values using Correlation Product Moment in SPSS 17.0. There is a questionnaire of 22 statements that valid because of sig results. (2-tailed)]< significant level (α) 0,05. With cronbach-alpha >970 the result showed that students’ perception of the use of the Edlink platform during the covid-19 pandemic that the majority of English education students have a positive and categorized into high perception of the use of the Edlink platform application. Before this application is used students are given socialization and application coordinators to deal with the obstacles experienced. In conclusion students can adapt the Edlink platform to temporarily replace learning during covid-19.


INTRODUCTION
The Covid-19 pandemic began to enter Indonesia in early 2020 bringing change to Indonesian society.The government also issued policies in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 virus, such as isolation, Large-Scale Social Restrictions to a new order of life (new normal).This makes the community including students and teachers to stay at home, worship, study, and work from home (Jamaluddin, Ratna, Gunawan & Paujiah, 2020).In order to follow government policy, the world of education immediately made adjustments by implementing online learning systems.Then the Circular Letter was issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture as a precautionary measure for Covid-19 so as not to continue to spread.The form of the implementation of the circular is the implementation of online learning known as Distance Learning.One of them is by using the e-learning method.E-learning is an internet-based learning method.Learning systems that integrate internet connections with the teaching process can be identified with virtual learning systems or online learning systems (Bentley, Selassie & Shegunshi, 2012).
The online learning system strives so that students can still study at home without the need to come to school.Learning is carried out with an application-based system that can be done in a distant place.Learning is not carried out face-to-face, but virtually so it seems more practical and easy to do in the midst of a pandemic like today.Online learning allows students to do learning from home or anywhere in accordance with the agreement between learners and teachers, besides this learning only requires an internet connection so there is no need to do face-to-face in person (Adijaya & Santosa, 2018).Learning is carried out with an applicationbased system that can be done in a distant place, namely learning applications known as Edlink platforms.Darwanto and Khasanah (2021) in the Journal of Online Learning using the Edlink Platform (As One of the Learning Alternatives in the  this study aims to help in the learning process of English education. Lecturers and students are very enthusiastic and interested in the use of Edlink platform, lecturers know the applications they can use in learning, lecturers can more easily manage classes, save time and provide examples to students to maintain the environment by reducing the use of paper and the features provided are very supportive of the learning process and equipped with an attractive display so that it is expected to support the increasing insight of students.related to the world of lectures.In the learning process lecturers can share learning materials, assign assignments and quizzes through this application.The advantage of this policy is that it can increase the independence of student learning and provide new experiences.The advantages are expected that students can more easily learn independently using the Sevima Edlink application.Learning with Blended Learning model assisted by Edlink platform is suitable Marlina (2020).The implementation of online learning is not as easy as expected.There are various obstacles that students face during online learning.In addition, the technological and economic capabilities of each student are different so that not all students support in online learning activities.These constraints that give rise to the perception of the use of the Edlink learning application platform.
According to Leavitt and Zarkasi in Irawati and Santaria (2020), the process of translating various events using the sense tools in him can be referred to as perception.Perception depends on a person's event translating things that happen based on the point of view he has.Research conducted on a person's perception is needed to know the point of view a person has on an event so that it can be used as an evaluation material in the future.A person's perceptions can change along with the cultural background, the capture of a problem, and the learning experience he has, in addition to the quality of one's thinking will also affect his perception of the event so that it will expand his insights in him (Isman & Aksal, 2004).
English Department is one of the departments at Lancang Kuning University that conducts online learning by using the Edlink learning application platform to prevent the transmission of covid-19.Based on the results of observations with the interview method via the WhatsApp application on 3 students from semesters I, III, and V on December 2, 2021, it is known that it is true that students of English education semesters I, III and V use the Edlink platform application as an online learning application during covid-19.Judging from the description, researchers want to further review in the form of research with the title "English Students' Perception on the Use of Edlink Platform During Covid-19 Pandemic at Universitas Lancang Kuning".
Perception is a biological process that takes place in the human's brain.It is a process that concerns about the entry of messages or information through five senses, namely sense of sight, sense of hearing, sense of smell, sense of taste, and sense of touch (Slameto, 2003).Perception is obtained by summarizing the information from a person and interpreting the information so that the person can respond to either positively or negatively of the information.Therefore, perception basically concerns the relationship between a person and his environment through the senses.After a person senses an object in its environment, then it is processed into the meaning of the object.While according to Asrori (2020) it self the process of interpreting all information obtained from the experience or surrounding environment through the five senses, namely sight, hearing, imagination, and feelings are referred to as perceptions.According to this, a person by looking at a letter through the five senses and becoming more meaningful, then stringing it into a sentence, and understanding from what he reads, then the perception occurs.
Thoha in Asrori (2020) states the factors that affect perception are as follows.1).Internal Factors.Internal factors are attention factors from within that relate to a person's personality such as individual feelings, attitudes and personalities, expectations, prejudices, attention, learning processes, physical states, psychiatric disorders, values, needs and interests and motivations.2).External Factors.External factors are external attention factors that relate to all things that exist outside the individual, such as family background, information received, knowledge and needs around, the intensity of the measure of resistance, movement and all new and familiar things or not an object.The process of perception begins with the presence of attention from within a person where it is a selective attention process and in it includes understanding and understanding objects or events.The process of perception in English subjects can be interpreted as the process by which a student as a stimulus in the form of lessons from the teacher during the English language process.However, each individual has a different perception in the observation of a learning. .Online learning is a type of activity that refers to the internet network and does not require face-to-face.Bilfaqih and Qomarudin (2015) argue that online learning makes it possible to reach a massive and wide range of learning groups without limited space and time and rely solely on an internet connection.Thorme in Kuntarto (2017), stated that online learning uses a variety of modern learning support equipment such as laptops, LCDs, streaming video, and so on.The provision of tasks and materials is also done relying on electronic messages and internet connection.This refers to the opinion of Rosenberg in Alimuddin, et al. (2015) who argued that internet use will improve students' skills in accordance with the times.
The advancement of technology and communication in the field of education is very visible when teachers / lecturers and students as educational actors get a lot of convenience from the learning process with online / online systems.Along with the times, online learning can be done with more modern media and learners with an unlimited number.Massive learning can be done by accessing various learning materials on the internet anytime and anywhere so that there are no limitations of space and time and guided by teachers who continue to monitor.The above understanding provides the conclusion that the use of technology is the main aspect in the implementation of online learning.The online learning process does not need to be done face-to-face, but can be done anywhere and anytime without limited space and time with the help of more modern learning media and in accordance with the times.Bilfaqih and Qomarudin (2015) explain some of the benefits of online learning as follows; a).Utilization of multimedia as a means to improve the quality and standards of education effectively.b).Online learning can be one of the means for all circles in reaching out to education, c).Cost suppression for the implementation of education with more effective results.

METHOD
This study used descriptive research.Descriptive research is research conducted to find facts about an object, human collection, thought system, condition or event that occurs with the right interpretation (Hidayat & Sedamayanti, 2011).This descriptive research is one type of nonexperimental quantitative research and the method used in this research is quantitative research methods.According to Sugiyono (2012) quantitative research is a study that uses data in the form of numbers and analyzed using statistical analysis.This research can describe quantitative data obtained regarding the state of the subject or phenomenon of a population.For that reason, the appropriate research to be used is quantitative descriptive research that will later be obtained an overview of the status of the subject under certain conditions.
Population is a generalization area consisting of objects / subjects that have certain qualities and characteristics set by researchers to be studied and then conclusions Sugiyono (2015).The population in this study is all English Department of students I, III, and V semester  The sample is a small percentage of the population members representing the entire population (Nurdin & Hartati, 2019).The study sample used the Proportional Random Sampling technique.Arikunto (2010), if the population is less than 100 is better taken all, so the study is a population study because the entire population is taken as a sample of his research.Furthermore if the number of subjects is greater than 100, it can be taken between 10-15% or 20-25%.Therefore, from the statements, the researchers was selected 25% of the population; it becomes 45 students (Table 1).

Technique of Collecting Data
In order to collected the data, the researchers used an online questionnaire designed in Google Form (see appendix 1).The questionnaire was designed to measure the English students' perception on the use of Edlink during Covid-19 pandemic.The questionnaire consists of 22 statements, containing 4 indicators; ease of access, perceived usefulness, communication and interaction and students' satisfaction.In addition, the researchers used the Likert scale for collecting the data.It means, every item in the questionnaires consist of 5 choices, that is "Strongly Agree", "Agree", "Neutral", "Disagree", and "Strongly Disagree".Each choice has score to calculate the data from the questionnaire.Scoring of the questionnaire are illustrated in the table below: This questionnaire was distributed online, using a google form.Questionnaire in this study there is one type, namely questionnaire for students.Reasons to used questionnaires as a tool to collect data are as follows 1).can be shared simultaneously with respondents, 2) can be used anonymously so that respondents are free to be honest and not shy about answering, and 3) can be standardized so that all respondents can be asked the same question (Arikunto, 2010).

Technique of Data Analysis
The data analysis using the SPSS Statistics 17.0.A descriptive statistics analysis was carried out in order to see the score of teachers and students answers.The key measures of dispersion are as following: a) Range: It is defined as the difference between smallest and the largest value of the complete data set; b) Standard Deviation: It is the measurement of average distance between each quantity and means which is how the set of data spreads out from the mean.A high standard deviation means that the data points are spread at wider ranges of values, whereas a low standard deviation means that the data points are close to the mean.
After analyzing data by using Descriptive Statistics, the researchers continued analyzing the data by categorizing them The Range of Saricoban & OZ, 2020: This range level is importantly used to identify the Category in the recommendations suggested by Saricoban and Oz (2014) was calculated.This range level is importantly used to identify the category of the scores whether in "Low Level", or "Medium Level", or "High Level" in order to know if the students' perception on the use of Edlink platform at English Education.The steps in analyzing the data in this study were as followed; 1) reviewing of online learning, Edlink platform and learning media.Adopted and adapted Shaharanee et.al (2016) questionnaire were chosen as the instrument, 2) checking one by one item in questionnaire to make sure that is was easy to understand the meaning, 3) distributing 22 items questionnaire to 45 English Department students I, III and V semester.And another faculty at Universitas of Lancang Kuning, 4) after collecting all data, the results are analyzed by using Google form and Microsoft Excel application to analyze the data from questionnaire into statistical package.The main findings can be analyzed by looking at the whole average score from the highest to the lowest result.High score indicates that respondents are satisfy with Edlink platform; therefore, it shows that it is useful and efficient as an active learning tools.Low score indicates that respondents are not satisfy and interested to Edlink platform.

FINDING AND DISCUSSION
In this chapter, the researchers presents all the findings of the data collected and its analysis.Data of this research is presented in the findings while analysis of the research data elaborated in discussions.The purpose of this chapter is also to answer the research question "How is English students' perception on the use of Edlink platform during Covid-19 pandemic at Universitas Lancang Kuning?" was also answered by the questionnaire online.The online questionnaire, Google form distribution was given through link in WhatsApp Group and personal chat which amounts to 22 statements.
The result English students'perception on the use of Edlink platform based on adopted and adapted from Shaharanee et.al (2016) questionnaire which are categorized into four parts; ease of access, perceived usefulness, communication an interaction, students' satisfaction.Additionally, chart was also presented to give detailed explanations.After shared the questionnaire, the researchers tebulated and calculated the score of the questionnaire.The researchers would like to present the data and descriptive statistics from the data.The researchers used mean and standard deviation to calculated the total of students in each scale of the statements.Therefore, the research statements will be answered based on the data that the research got from the questionnaire.

Ease of Access Indicator
In this indicator, there are 5 statements out of 22 items that were asked to the respondents of this research.To sum up perception of the respondents, it can be seen clearly on the summery of tabulation as follow: Table 3 shows the data that indicates ease of access.It shows that statements "I easily access the material provided by the lecturers" (M=4.40),"I easily access the Edlink platform" (M=4.38) and "I easily receive and send tasks through the Edlink platform" (M=4.33) are the three top students perceptions in this indicator.For the lowest perceptions, statement "Edlink platform has an easy to understand system" (M=4.11) is the lowest students perceptions in term of ease of access.In addition, the researchers used SPSS 17.0 to analyze the data to get the scores of descriptive statistics.The scores of it can be seen as follow: Based on the result of descriptive statistics above, it can be seen that generally, the perceptions of students' in English Department, Universitas Lancang Kuning in term of ease of access is categorized into high level.In addition, the table above shows that the total of students' score in term of ease of access perceptions 21.40, mode of students' score is 4.11, median of students' score 4.33, and for standard deviation is .128.The score of standard deviation means that all of the answers from respondents is same or homogeneous.In addition, for average of students' score is 4.28, it means that students' perceptions in term of ease of access is categorized into high level.Therefore, it can be said that most of the students, had answered all of the items very good and they do not find difficulty.

Perceived Usefulness Indicator
In this indicator, there are 7 statements out of 22 items that were asked to the respondents of this research.To sum up perception of the respondents, it can be seen clearly on the summary of tabulation as follow: Table 5 shows the data that potrays students' perception in perceived usefulness.It shows that "I can re-open material that has been given anytime and anywhere" (M=4.47) is the top of students' perception in perceived usefulness.As opposed to that idea, statements of "The quality of my learning activities improved by using the Edlink platform" (M=3.64) is the lowest students' perception in term of perceived usefulness.In addition, the researchers used SPSS 17.0 to analyze the data to get the scores of descriptive statistics.The scores of it can be seen as follows.Based on the result of descriptive statistics above, it can be seen that generally, the perceptions of students in English Department, Universitas Lancang Kuning in term of perceived usefulness is categorized into high level.In addition, the table above shows that the total of students' score in term of perceived usefulness perceptions 28.72, mode of students' score is 3.64, median of students' score 4.18, and for standard deviation is .301.The score of standard deviation means that all of the answers from respondents is same or homogeneous.In addtion, for average of students' score is 4.10, it means that students' perceptions in term of perceived usefulness is categorized into high level.Therefore, it can be said that most of the students', has answered all of the items in range of very good.

Communication and Interaction
In this indicator, there are 6 statements out of 22 items that were asked to the respondents of this research.To sum up perception of the respondents, it can be seen clearly on the summary of tabulation as follow:  Table 8 shows the data that potrays students' perceptions in communication and interaction.It shows that "I feel happy because Edlink platform we can use for interaction online" (M=4.20) is the top of students'perception in communication and interaction.As opposed to that idea, statement of "I feel comfortable communicating and interacting with other students on this Edlink platform" (M=3.84) is the lowest students' perception in term of communication and interaction.In addition, the researchers used SPSS 17.0 to analyze the data to get the scores od descriptive statistics.The scores of it can be seen as follows.Based on the result of descriptive statistics above, it can be seen that generally, the perception of students' in English Department, Universitas Lancang Kuning in term of communication and interaction is categorized into moderate level.In addition, the table above shows that the total of students' perception score in term of communication and interaction perception 23.73, mode of students' score is 3.84 , median of students' score 3.92, and for standard deviation is .126.The score of standar deviation means that all of the answers from respondents is same or homogeneous.In addition, for average of students' score is 3.95, it means that students' perception in term communication and interaction is categorized into high level.Therefore, it can be said that most of the students', had answered all of the items in range positive perceptions.

Students' Satisfaction
In this indicator, there are 6 statements out of 22 items that were asked to the respondents of this research.To sum up perception of the respondents, it can be seen clearly on the summary of tabulation as follow: Table 10 shows the data that potrays students' perception in students' satisfaction.It show that "I get more material information by using the Edlink platform because lecturers provide a variety of learning resources" (M=4.20) is the top of students' perception in students' satisfaction.As opposed to that idea, statement of "I really like the attractive and not boring Edlink platform look" (M=4.07) is the lowest students' perception in term of students' satisfaction.In addition, the researchers used SPSS 17.0 to analyze the data to get the scores of descriptive statistics.The scores of it can be seen follows.Based on the result of descriptive statistics above, it can be seen that generally, the perceptions of students' in English Department, Universitas Lancang Kuning in term of students' satisfaction is categorized into high level.In addition, the table above shows that the total of students' score in term of students' satisfaction perception 16.58, mode of students' score is 4.07, median of students' score 4.15, and for standard deviation is .058.The score of standard deviation means that all of the answers from respondents is same or homogeneous.In addtion, for average of students' score is 4.14, it means that students' perception in term of students' satisfaction is categorized into high level.Therefore, it can be said that most of the students', had answered all of the items in range of strongly agree.Overall, based on the result of descriptive statistics above, it can be seen that generally the mean score of students' perception on the use of Edlink Platform at English Department, Faculty of Education and Teachers Training at Universitas Lancang Kuning reached 4.09.In addition, the table above shows that the total of students' score in students' perceptions on the use of Edlink platform 184.44 mode of students' score is 4.31, median of students' 4.09, and standard deviation is .494.The score of standard deviation means that all of the answers from respondents is the same or homogeneous.In addition, for average of students' score is 4.09, it means that the students' perception on the use of Edlink platform is categorized into high level.Therefore, it can be said that most of the students, had answered all of the items in the range of positive perception.

Discussion
This study attempted to explore the used of Edlink platform for learning English based on students perception.It was found in the study that students received positively the use of Edlink platform both in terms of ease of access, sense of usability, communication and interaction and satisfaction of students in using this Edlink platform.They also familiarize themselves in using the online learning application Edlink platform during the covid-19 pandemic.This research is similar to Ahmadi and Ilmiani's research (2020) which shows free platforms that can be used as support facilities for online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In principle, Wahyudi's research (2020) strengthens the position of this research by showing the use of the Sevima EdLink platform which can be used as a facility that accommodates learning content and an online assessment system.Cakrawati (2017) The students participated in the study perceive online learning platforms as a user-friendly learning tool which encourage them to interact with their teachers and peers outside the classroom.The online learning platforms facilitate them with the features allowing them towork independently yet share their thoughts through group discussion.Besides, students think that using online learning platforms in learning process is effective since it saves time and effort.Akbar, et al (2021) Access to online learning platforms is expected to support online learning activities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.Access to free learning received the highest score.Users benefit from free access to all learning content during their learning from home activities.
The result on the of part Ease of Access shows that most students' do not find difficulties in operating Edlink platform and Edlink platform is easy to use as a learning tool.This result is similar to Wibowo & Rahmayanti (2020) electronic learning media Edlink platform is very easy to use.The part on perceived Usefulness shows that most feel Edlink platform is useful in their learning process.This result is similar to Darwanto & Khasanah (2021), that the Edlink application is very easy to use and very cost-saving because it can be accessed freely and for free.Respondents also said that Edlink platform strongly supports the learning process, especially in the lecture level.
The part on Communication and Interaction shows that through Edlink platform, most students' feel communication and Interaction can be easier.Part students' Satisfaction shows that most students feel satisfy with Edlink platform as a learning tool.This result is similar to Wibowo and Rahmayanti (2020), that Sevima Edlink media in addition to providing material, the media can also interact remotely through a discussion of conversations via written or video.The part on Students' Satisfaction shows that most students' feel satisfied with Edlink platform as a learning tool.This result similar to Wibowo and Rahmayanti (2020), that Sevima Edlink media is highly recommended to be used as an electronic learning media, because it has features that support learning needs.
To sum up, Edlink platform is a recommendated application for learning during the covid-19 pandemic.English language education students' positive feedback on the ease of access, sense of usability, communication and interaction and student satisfaction with the use of Edink platform is the basis that Edlink platform deserves to be used as an online learning application during the covid-19 pandemic.The weaknesses that exist on the Edlink platform are only factors from the outside, such as the difficulty of accessing the Edlink platform due to the network of students who live in the interior and smoothness or forget the password when you want to access.Then, lecturers are slightly less enthusiastic about the use of this Edlink platform.

CONCLUSION
Based on the findings, it can be stated that the Edlink platform procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic.All students have a good attitude towards the utilisation of online learning apps on the Edlink platform.The study finds that during the covid-19 epidemic, using the Edlink platform to keep education running as usual while temporarily replacing classroombased learning is a smart idea.After merging the responses.The students' impression may be viewed in four dimensions: ease of access, perceived usefulness, communication and interaction, and student satisfaction.The Edlink platform clearly provides students with the ability to access their materials at any time and from any location.The benefit comes from the media of Edlink platform which help the students to study and attending their class as usual.Yet, the process of Edlink platform not so many differences in the learning activity.The way the students properly use Edlink platform can make learning better, more engaging, and more student-centered.Edlink platform is giving the benefit; efficiency time and place, and easier access that students can use to optimize their study.The research suggests students to explore and use this oppportunity to develop their skills and knownledge.In many chances, students need to be awere of the schedule in Edlink platform."In time" is the key to manage the learning activity going well.It is suggested for the next researchers who would like to conduct this seminar, they can try to find from different perception in order to develop the Edlink platform activity during the pandemic era.And because as this present study only focus on population of English Department, hopefully, next study can continue this research on the other department.Thus, it can get more varied data and it can improve Edlink platform implementation in Universitas Lancang Kuning.I suggest using experimental methods to ensure the Edlink platform can improve in english learning skills.
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Universitas of Lancang Kuning Pekanbaru in Rumbai Subdistrict.The populations of semesters I, III, and V of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education are as follows:

Table 1 :
the students population and sample of the research