Improving Academic Skills on Freshmen Student Performance in Mastering Learning Skills

This study aims to describe the capacity of students' learning skills, provide and develop problem-solving learning skills, prepare appropriate modules that are used by students, and encourage counseling and learning development units. The method used in this action research is a qualitative research design. The research technique was carried out by using a case study approach and observation. The results showed that the students' mathematical abilities ranged from 26-50 (57.14%). Only 14% (11.43% + 2.86%) of AgtSP students have capacities in basic mathematics. Learning skills, for example, reading and writing, had lower AgtSP values, namely 37.14% and 34.29%. AgtSP is still dominated by Papuan students (86%) and a small proportion of non-Papuan students (14%). Many students enrolled in AgtSP graduated from Social Sciences (38%), some graduated from Agricultural High School (33%), and a few graduated from natural sciences 21%) and a small number of students graduated from Non. Agricultural Senior High School, namely administration interest. Student GPA has increased in the number of students who have GPA scores. 23 components affect student learning skills at the university level as experienced by AgtSP. The conclusion is the low scores obtained by mathematics, reading, and writing students enrolled in the Faculty.


Introduction
Papua University (UNIPA) is the only one state university locating in Manokwari, West Papua province. The university was established in the year of 2000 that was developed from Faculty of Agriculture, Cenderawasih University. At the time of establishment, the university consisted of six faculties and 31 study programs. Total number of UNIPA students body today are more or less 7000 students, enrolling in different study programs and they are generally come from different high schools across Papua and West Papua provinces, which have limited learning skills (Aliyyah et al., 2019;Purnastuti & Izzaty, 2016) and knowledge due to school performances (Booth et al., 2019). The representation of students from different high school background is possible since UNIPA apply the local student recruitment system called SESAMA which is admission of high school graduation to university based on the high school academic performance. In addition to SESAMA, admission of new students to UNIPA can also go through national admission which are SNMPTN and SBNPTN and the university admission (Prasetyaningsih, 2015;Rifa'i B, 2018;Takriyuddin et al., 2016). The university test is carried out for certain study programs when their number of students are not fill the quote and apply for students who will enroll in diploma or vocational programs. The admission of the students through SESAMA was launched because prior to 2000, admission selection to enter Papua State University was conducted nationally through College Admission Selection called SMPTN (Brewis, 2018;Haryanti et al., 2016) Using the national selection, many Papuan students coming from remote areas and low-income families cannot enroll some the state universities in Papua. The local students' recruitment system in practice has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the system are that: the high school graduation from different areas of Papua can be selected, many Papuan have a chance to enroll in Papua University and the university can play its rule in educate people in Papua; however the system has disadvantages which not all high schools in Papua have the same standard of quality so that it affect the student academic performance, it seems there is a manipulation of high school grade by school administrator in several high school to make their student can be accepted in university and it is found that students enter university through local selection do not perform well as indicated by their high school grade. Data of students of Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (FAAT) and Agrotechnology Study Program (AgtSP) has shown significant increasing since 2008.
The AgtSP student body in 2012/2013 is 1085. Trend number of students seems to be declined. Performance of GPA of AgtSP in some years tends to decline. Lower, middle and higher GPA in 2012/2013 of AgtSP were 2.10, 2.99 and 3.77. The proportion seems to increase 30.0, 35.0 and 35.0. The academic performances as Unipa's student are determined by study environment during the senior high schools. Many high schools in Papua do not offer a good environment for student to learn because schools do not have good facilities such as good class rooms, library, laboratory and also do not have a qualified teacher of each subject being tough. This situation is often not only occurred in remote areas but it occurs also in several high schools around the cities both in Papua and Papua Barat provinces. Performance of students in university is determined by its background during studying in the previous schools and outside learning activities.
Background of students here means those things which are available, prepared and used by students. Facilities, teachers, and teaching activities determine students' capacities. While entering university, students will face new environment. Not only campus atmosphere is, but living circumstances are also determining student capacity and performances. Campus atmosphere means those with related to academic including and limited to sciences and technological activities determining student attitude and performances (Astuti et al., 2016;Yusuf, 2018). Activities with related to it are teaching, tutor/bridging program, self-study, academic facilities, lecturer coaching/advisory. University learning systems are academic and non-academic activities with related to learning and study skills and other knowledge and technologies needed by student to achieve good performance (Astuti et al., 2016;Brewis, 2018;Burhanuddin et al., 2016;Hendrayana et al., 2014;Purnastuti & Izzaty, 2016;Wibowo & Lestari, 2019). Good performance of the students can be seen from its GPA and other academic activities such as writing skills, presenting skill, communication skill, etc. (Aliyyah et al., 2019;Astuti et al., 2016;Hendrayana et al., 2014;Saifudin, 2017;Wasahua, 2018;Wibowo & Lestari, 2019;Yusuf, 2018). A program being considered can help students to adjust to university learning system is by introducing students with learning skill capacities. Papua University has no such models of learning skills so far. Therefore, this pilot project of Action research project was introduced by Higher Education and Leadership Management-USAID thorough AgtSP in FAAT. Such learning skills should therefore be identified from students' capacities. The assumption is that by knowing components of learning skill being toughed, student will enjoy in studying and in turn their academic performance in term of GPA will increase. Therefore, the objectives of this action research were to implement capacity of learning skills of the freshmen students of the Agro technology Study Program, and to provide and develop problem-solved learning skills.

Method
Participants were selected from 2014 enrolled students in AgtSP. They involved as well in session of Focus Group Discussion, Placement test (trial), and pilot questionnaires (Moleong, 1991;Yin, 2000). An FGD was also done in Faculty of Animal Husbandry by obtaining lecturer perception of learning skills of students and constraints faced by students and academic environment in UNIPA. A number of 15 lecturers was involved. Procedures in conducting research action were done by following diagram shown in the left side of body text ( Figure 1). In placement test, which attached with university program namely PKKMB, three basic learning skills were tested, i.e. Math, Reading and Writing ( Figure 2). Data of placement test then combined as well as questionnaires for deriving actions needed during implementing the mastering learning skills in classes. After placement test, expanded team teaching was made and arranged (Figure 3.) to construct the modules including methods and all technical aspects such as monitoring and evaluation. Following placement test, introductory workshop was done inside the class. In this session, several skills of learning were introduced, namely motivation, reading, writing, computers including internet browsing, and time management (Figure 4.). Soon after, a regular class for 9 learning skills was formally scheduled. Time schedule for Math was done every week on Friday. Reading, writing, and other six skills were scheduled on Saturday morning. Classes were prepared by list of attendances, LCD, responsible persons who were controlling and monitoring the classes. Materials of weekly activities were made during two weeks before university introductory (PKKMB) session. Outline of the module was designed and being thought to the students. Not only a test was done in placement test, in measuring student performance during regular classes on weekly activity, a pre-and post-test was done for three basic skills, i.e. math, reading and writing. Instruments of the action research in AgtSP were Performances of 1 st year students (2003) of Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. GPA is student achievement of academic in each semester. It is measured by grades and categorical (Excellent= GPA >3.5, Good=GPA 3.0-3.49, Fair=GPA 2.50-2.99, Sufficient=GPA 2.00-2.49,  and Fail=GPA <1.99). Self-assessment of learning skills was made based on performances of basic skill of learning in terms of math, reading, writing, speech (presentation skill), Computer (Word and Data Operation, Internet Browsing), and Library skills. Scores of learning skills were determined based on these four components. Perception of learning skills was done to know how student perceive their learning skills.
Opinion of Academic student services was measured on response of student as consumers towards academic services (Wahyuningsih, 2016). Identification of learning skills was surveyed using questionnaire (Moleong, 1991;Yin, 2000). Learning commitment was done to know how students of AgtSP committed to have serious learning. Grades of post-test, i.e. results obtained during attending period of orientation program in line with math (Prasetyaningsih, 2015;Sampurno & Efendi, 2014), reading (Aliyyah et al., 2019;Wibowo & Lestari, 2019), and writing (Wahyuningsih, 2016). Increasing knowledge was measured using following formulae based on Ginting (1991).
Analyses of the data were done based on descriptive and inferential statistic (Asra & Sutomo, 2016;Santoso, 2012). Besides, quantitative and qualitative methods were analyzed using non parametric statistical test (Santoso, 2012). All the data were presented in descriptive statistic. Statistical inference, i.e. T-test (Ott & Longnecker, 2001), was done to compare the GPA of students without and having this treatment, i.e. 2013 and 2014, respectively

Result and Discussion
Marks of Placement test Table 1. described that Mathematic skill of students in average was in grade ranges of 26-50 (57.14%), which is still below expectation of under graduate University. Only 14% (11.43%+2.86%) students of AgtSP have capacity of basic Math. Under this faculty, in the field of Math, AgtSP has better marks compared to other study programs. In line with other learning skills, for instance reading and writing, AgtSP has lower marks by percentages, i.e. 37.14% and 34.29% (71%) compared to Agribisnis (Bachelor), THP (Bachelor), Tanaman Pangan (Diploma) and Perkebunan (Diploma) study program. Therefore, by following learning skills class, lag in skills of Math, reading and writing of students will be improved. The marks of math in lower ranges as well will be lowered and knowledge and skills for math and the other two will then improve. This will useful in attending several basic courses such as Math, Chemistry, Physic and agricultural-related courses (Burhanuddin et al., 2016).

Origin of Senior high school
Data from Figure 7. shown that high number of students enrolled in AgtSP were graduated from Senior High of Social Science (38%), some were graduated from Agricultural related Senior High School (33%), and few were graduated from natural sciences 21%) and small number of students were graduated from Non-Agricultural Senior high schools, i.e. administration interest. Diversity of students resources were vast (Aliyyah et al., 2019;Astuti et al., 2016). It seems that the enrolled students having suitable linear knowledge with AgtSP was senior high school in Natural Sci. (21%), Agricultural related-high school (33%). Therefore, in general the total number of suitable students was 54%. Other, i.e. 46% were not suitable enrolled in AgtSP. It is therefore, number of suitable nominating students enrolled in AgtSP should be increased by socialization and selection stages (Aliyyah et al., , 1989;Usman & Daud, 2015). By doing that, the targeted schools will better prepare their students to fulfill the university requirement. University requirement is having good in knowledge, science, skills, social skills, life skills and emotional skills (Usman & Daud, 2015;Wibowo & Lestari, 2019). Figure 5. shown that Math skill has minor increase marks between pre-test and posttest. Similar number as well depicted in reading skills and writing skills. In reading skills, minor improvement occurred in marks of 51-75 and 76-100. Writing performance was shown that changes were occurred in 51 to 75 and 76-100. Generally, students have performance on range of 26-50 and 51-75 for all three learning skills (Figure 6). Writing and reading have improved very much. From the three skills above, it can be seen that learning capacity of the students occurred and changed in this group of students ( Figure 8). However, the changes from small marks of learning skills to higher marks will take long period of time and hard work effort from both parties, i.e. students and lecturers (Burhanuddin et al., 2016;Purnastuti & Izzaty, 2016;Wahyuningsih, 2016;Yusuf, 2018). Example can be seen from evaluation of reading test concerning knowledge of the materials (Figure 9). A test to examine the knowledge of the material was done by offering students with pre-test and post-test. The result of this finding shown that 32% and 36% Students had improved their reading skills.

Grade Point Average (GPA) of The Students
In general, Figure 1 shown that the learning process seen from the 1 st semester up to 2 nd semester had slightly down. The trend of declining GPA of students could be explained from how best students adapted quickly from old or previous circumstance to existing and/or present situation at new and a bit strange academic environmental (Burhanuddin et al., 2016;Wahyuningsih, 2016;Wasahua, 2018).

Discussions
Student performances are affected by social, psychological, economic, environmental and personal factors. One of Indicators of student performances is GPA (Galiher, 2006). We inventory five categories that limit and challenge student performance, i.e.: Personal, Social, Academic, Life issues and Institutional Issues. Similar finding reported by Fishman et al. (2003). In personal issue, item such as lost, stress, undisciplined, unmotivated and insecure are included. In academic component, factors are underprepared, poor study habits, low academic performance. Life issues include insecurity concerning financial, home and family difficulties, personal problems, health problems and college not necessary to meet career goals. Institutional issue includes experience operational problems, experience negative attitudes in the classroom, advising centers and administrative offices.
Other factors affecting student performances are based on character of individual and feedback. Individual differences comprise of gender, age, existing level of skill, motivation for learning, and fitness levels. Gender consists of differences in physique, interests and motivation. Boys are likely to be motivated by a desire to compete whereas girls are more likely to participate for associative reasons. Age refers to an individual's state of readiness. Existing level skills refer to some learners have already developed different levels of co-ordination, balance, speed and other skill-related fitness components that may contribute to faster learning. Motivation for learning means that a learner who is interested in developing skill and playing the game will have an advantage over others who are not motivated to the same extent. Fitness level describes a higher level of fitness has been shown to improve concentration and physical performance. It also allows learners to work for longer before fatiguing which is a key factor when learning skills. Previous experiences give a learner with previous exposure to the skill being learnt will have both a cognitive and physical advantage. Feedback provides the learner with vital information that compares the current performance with the desired one (Brady, 2005;Darling-hammond & Snyder, 2000;Fishman et al., 2003;Lassig, 2020;Maas et al., 2017;Reddy et al., 2019;Zhou et al., 2020). Feedback comes in many different forms, i.e. internal and external. Internal means how something feels e.g. in gymnastics you can feel that the cartwheel was straight. External means information received via the senses e.g. visual and aural.
The finding of the 23 rd components affecting student learning skills in university level was experienced by AgtSP students. From these components we have categorized it into seven major components, i.e. low motivation, poor time management, low adjustment to university teaching method, access to campus, lack of self-directed learning, bad medical condition and overload assignment. These components then could be grouped into inside and outside factors. Inside factors constituted low motivation (Wasahua, 2018;Wibowo & Lestari, 2019), poor time management (Aliyyah et al., 2019;Wasahua, 2018), lack of self-directed learning (SDL), and bad medical condition. Outside factors were low adjustment to university teaching methods and overload assignments. Motivation has strategic point inside an individual which drive someone to move on in every activity (Brady, 2005;Farrington & Small, 2008;Fishman et al., 2003;Vignery & Laurier, 2020). Without motivation someone will not do something optimal and someone will not achieve better results. Someone will not work effectively and efficiently. Someone will not use his time in wise manner. His/her time management achievement will be lower than someone having high motivation. Someone will use his/her time management ineffectively. Someone will have low adjustment to university teaching method due to his/her motivation and time allocation (Meyers, 2003;Miller, 2003;Shaw et al., 2002). As a result, he/she will not have chances to adjust on university teaching methods. In one hand, he/she will have problem entering access to campus. Frequency access to campus has been a cause why students have low marks.
Class presences are always counted as requirement to attending the mid and final test. Due to low motivation, students will also have lack of SDL (independent learners) to develop learning skills. Student will not have time to develop their capacity in reading, writing and math (Grauerholz, 2001;Keig, 2001;Stamatoplos, 2000). One factor identified was bad medical condition (Fishman et al., 2003;Keinänen et al., 2018;Meens et al., 2018). This will affect students on low participation in presence and class activities. Overload assignments become the problem due to low in financial support and management, high expectation of parents, inadequate prior knowledge for supporting speaking skills, too much dictation (one-way learning), low access into university library, and low participation on training or courses (Darling-hammond & Snyder, 2000;Kilgus et al., 2018;Lassig, 2020;Maggin et al., 2012).

Conclusions and Suggestions
The Math, reading and writing of students enrolled in Agriculture Faculty performed low marks. This number appeared due to high school field background dominated by social science. The schema implemented was succeeded in increasing learning skills by comparing pre-test and post-test during program was run. In the end, the program achieved slight increasing number of GPA marks of the students involved in this program on the 1 st and 2 nd semesters. The implication of this action research under theme of learning skills is applicable under situation of Papua University. Other faculties even other universities having similar condition could apply this schema and indeed by making some adaptation in order to meet the need and performances of the representative students enrolled. Economically the program is low cash and no need to apply for high budget. All students will feel freedom in studying and lecturers will no need to spend many hours in improving learning skills during following higher rank of semester, particularly in writing and presenting the assignment and final research and seminars.