not the researcher but the students although it is the researcher who operates the computer. Nevertheless, students are given a chance to operate the
computer in playing the game.
9. The Advantages and the Obstacles of Using Software Games in Language
Teaching
The advantages of using computer based games in the class are as
follow:
a. Experiential Learning
Using software games, students learn thing by doing thing. They grasp the meaning, imitate and practice spelling and pronunciation by
observing what provided in the software games and by practicing what instructed in the software games.
b. Enhance Motivation and Enthusiasm
Computers are most popular among students either because they are associated with fun and games or because they are considered to be
fashionable. Student motivation is therefore increased, especially whenever a variety of activities are offered.
c. Enhanced Students’ Learning Attitude
New and interesting aids such as computer attract students’ attention
so that their learning attitude improved as the class will be easier to control, and the students focus and concentrate to the class.
d. Enhance Students’ Achievement
As students’ attention, motivation, and enthusiasm have improved, they will study better and harder so that their achievement will follow
to improve. e.
Authentic Materials for Study Pronunciation model provided by the software is trustworthy and
easy to be imitated. f.
Independence from a Single Source of Information Although students can still use their books, they are given the chance
to escape from canned knowledge and discover thousands of information sources.
g. Acceptance of Technology
To use computer in the class is to make students not left behind too far away in technology because computer can not been separated
from human life nowadays. It would be awkward if students do not know computer.
Meanwhile, there are some obstacles in using the software games as follow:
a. Financial Barriers
As everybody knows, computer is expensive equipment compared with the like books and other school equipment. Most Indonesian
elementary schools are still in a matter of financial problems. There are very rare of schools that have their own computer laboratory.
b. Availability of Computer Hardware and Software
Even if the schools are having computer laboratory, but still, sometimes the computers are the old-fashion type. What can the
teacher do with these kinds of computer is very limited. Moreover, teacher has to struggle to find the appropriate software for
the topic. As long as teachers are left behind in technology, the use of technology in class is hard to do. It would be better if the teachers
follow the development in technology and it would be much better if the teachers are able create software by them.
c. Technical and Theoretical Knowledge
Though the schools have complete facilities such as good computer laboratory, computer is still a strange item for Indonesian education
apparatus. It will be a useless thing if the computers are not being used efficiently.
These obstacles are more for the teacher rather than for the students. However, it is teachers’ job to be creative and innovative in delivering material
to the students. Besides, the advantages of using software games are too valuable if they are taken for granted.
C. Basic Assumption
