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CHAPTER l INTRODUCTION
This thesis is conducted to research the use of online learning media for 8 G class students of SMPN 2 Yogyakarta using Edmodo to facilitate
students’ critical thinking. In this Chapter, the researcher would like to discuss five major
things. Those include research background, research limitation, research problems, research objective, and definition of terms to avoid misunderstanding
and misinterpreting on this research. The deeper discussion about every part would be discussed below.
1.1 Research Background
Nowadays, English is one of subjects which is very important for students. It is because English has become an international language that has to be learned
by the students. According to Larsen and Long 1991, it is easier for the students to learn a language when they are still young. Therefore, since Indonesia has so
many young learnears, they are easier to learn it. In order to make the students easier for mastering the English language,
teacher’s teaching strategy is needed to facilitate them. Learning strategy in the classroom holds an important role in
improving students’ learning motivation especially the way of
students’ thinking. Providing students with creative learning will make them motivated and more critical in following the lesson in the
2 classroom. According to Lange 2014, creative learning strategy is a factor which
can engage students’ critical thinking. In this study, the researcher took 8 G class in SMPN 2 Yogyakarta as a
place for the research. In some cases done by the researcher in 8 G class of SMPN 2 Yogyakarta,
teacher’s uncreative teaching strategy in the learning process of English subject, decreased
students’ critical thinking development. It is also stated by Lange 2014 that the lack of teacher
’s understanding in designing creative learning can obstruct the way students think critically. Based on the observation
done by the researcher, their English teacher always used memorizing technique without giving them enough practice. There were possiblilities if the students did
not think critically. First, students could not evaluate, analyze, and connect the question given. Second, students could not communicate effectively to find out
solution. Third, students did not participate actively in the classroom. Therefore, the teacher has an important role in facilitating
students’ critical thinking in learning process by creating creative learning strategy in the teaching and learning
process. In order to decrease the problems, the students need a creative way which
is able to make them feel comfortable and able to develop their critical thinking ability. It is also based on students own request that they all need the athmosphere
in the class more fun and interesting. Therefore, in this study, the researcher tried to apply an interesting online learning media technique which is expected to
facilitate their uncritical thinking problems. One of the functions of media is to support creative and effective learning activity. Therefore, by using interesting
3 learning media, students can be motivated and their critical thinking will
improved quickly Lange, 2014. In this research, the researcher chose Edmodo as online learning media
which is able to facilitate students’ critical thinking development. Edmodo is a web-based platform that provides a safe and easy way for the class to connect and
collaborate, share content, and access homework, grades and school notices. It enables students to do activities inside related to the teaching and learning process
in order to increase their critical thinking. By using Edmodo, the students can post and access assignments, PowerPoint presentations, reading selections, video, and
other resources from their laptop, computer or their mobile devices wherever they are. On the other hand, students can also hold discussions with their friends and
teachers, so they can ask or consult everything about the lessons they have not understood yet. McKiel 2011 expressed that Edmodo has been a great tool to
enable their students to demonstrate their learning and provide peers or teachers descriptive feedback. By doing such kind activities like commenting, giving
feedback, discussing each other using the application, it is expected can facilitate
their critical thinking.
This research aims at how online learning media can facilitate students’
critical thinking. By understanding the level of students’ thinking using online learning media, their critical thinking can be known. Besides, the readers can also
understand that media technology holds an important role in facilitating students especially in critical thinking aspect.
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1.2 Research Problem
