USU PR : Community Service is one of the tridarma of higher education that must be carried out by lecturers. The USU Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (Fasilkom-TI) Service Team has carried out a community activity program with the title "Differentiated Learning as a Renewable Learning Method by Maximizing the Potential of Information Technology, Through a Blended Learning Approach at SMAN 5 Padang Sidempuan". The activity was carried out on August 18-19, 2023, at SMAN 5 Padang Sidempuan.

The USU Fasilkom-TI Service Team was chaired by Sri Melvani Hardi, S.Kom, M.Kom, with members Dr. Marischa Elveny, S.TI., M.Kom and Ivan Jaya, S.SI, M.Kom. The activity was also attended by 3 active students of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), namely Muhammad Said Agung Naufal Nasution, Tamir Rusydi Hega, and Yoristedi Prayoga.

Head of the Community Service Team Sri Melvani Hardi said, this community service aims to improve the learning process by using the concept of differentiated learning, which functions to accommodate the diversity of students in the classroom in terms of student interests, learning profiles, and readiness to achieve better learning outcomes. Among others, by using various learning applications namely Paddlet, Kahoot, Nearpod, and Classcraft, which allow students to access learning materials anytime and anywhere, while still maintaining face-to-face interaction with teachers and fellow students. 

This series of service activities was carried out for 2 consecutive days, which was attended by teachers of SMAN 5 Padangsidimpuan, with the implementation of the practice, to find out the extent of the teachers' knowledge related to the material to be delivered. Then proceed with providing material related to differentiated learning through a blended learning approach, as well as providing material on the use of learning applications (Paddlet, Kahoot, Nearpod, and Classcraft). At the end of the activity, there was a poster to see the teachers' understanding of the material that had been delivered.

The community service activities carried out by the USU service team were welcomed by the Principal of SMAN 5 Padang Sidempuan, represented by the Vice Principal of SMAN 5, Rumini Sukarwati, S.Pd, M.Si. She expressed her gratitude for the presence of the lecturer team and students who participated in organizing the community service activities.