Task-Based Language Teaching Definition of Terms

15 The method is accountable because the process involves a validation where the design is evaluated by practitioners and experts. There are ten major steps in RD cycle. Before applying the cycle, it is important to define the educational product to be developed in specific description. Borg and Gall 1983 explain that it includes overall narrative description of the product, definite outline of how the product will be used, and specific objectives of the product para. 776. Then, it is continued with the ten steps of the RD cycle. They are: a. Research and information collecting. It includes review of literature, classroom observation, and preparation of report of state of the art. The purposes are to determine the state of the knowledge in the area of concern and explain how the knowledge can be applied. b. Planning. It includes defining skills, stating objectives, determining course sequence, small scale feasibility testing, and estimation of budget, time allocation, and manpower. c. Developing preliminary form of product. It includes preparation of instructional materials, tasks activities, supporting media or teaching aids, handbooks, and evaluation devices. d. Preliminary field testing. It is conducted in 1 to 3 schools, involving 6 to 12 subjects. Interview, observation, and questionnaire data are collected and analyzed. The purpose is to obtain feedback. e. Main product revision. It is a revision of the product as suggested by the result of the preliminary field-test. The purpose is to revise and improve the quality of the product. 16 f. Main field testing. It is conducted in 5 to 15 schools, involving 300 to 100 subjects. Quantitative data on subje cts‟ precourse and postcourse performance are collected. Results are evaluated with respect to course objectives and compared with control group data. The purpose is to determine the success of the product and measure whether the design meets the objectives or not. g. Operational product revision. It is a revision of the product as suggested by the result of the main field-tests. The purpose is to revise and improve the quality of the product. h. Operational field testing. It is conducted in 10 to 30 schools, involving 40 to 200 subjects. Interview, observation, and questionnaire data are collected and analyzed. The purpose is to determine whether the product is ready for operational use or not. i. Final product revision. It is a revision of the product as suggested by the result of the operational field-test. The purpose is to revise and improve the quality of the product. j. Dissemination and implementation. Dissemination is a process of reporting or demonstrating the product in journals or at professional meetings. It includes working with publisher who assumes commercial distribution and monitoring the distribution to provide quality control. Then, implementation is a process of using the product in real condition, such as classroom activities. Based on Borg and Gall ‟s 1983 experience in developing Minicourse 1 using portable video tape equipment, they found that the process was “difficult and time consuming”. They required “a large and competent professional staff and significant long- term financial support” para. 792. It happened because they had