8 conduct research on how group presentation project can influence students’
independent learning, the effects of group presentation project for students’ achievement, or students’ independent learning improvement with the other learning
strategies.
F. Definition of Terms
The researcher uses some important terms in this research. The researcher defines the terms in this section in order to clarify concepts and avoid
misinterpretation. The terms discussed are perceptions, independent learning, learning strategy, and group presentation.
1. Perceptions
According to Ponty 1996, perceptions are the judgment, impression, and believe or thought about perceiving p. 38. Goldstein 2009 defines perceptions as
everything that everyone sees, hears, tastes, feels, or smells which is created by the mechanism of the senses p. 5. In this research, perceptions are
the ELESP students’ thought about the use of group presentation to enhance their independent learning.
The students can perceive and share their opinions and suggestions based on their experiences in doing the group presentation project and how it enhances their
independent leaning.
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2. Independent Learning
Kesten 1987 says, “Independent learning is that learning in which the
learner, in conjunction with relevant others, can make the decisions necessary to meet the learners own learning needs
” p. 5. Kesten’s statement describes a condition where learners are self-motivated by the environment around them to do their
learning task Kesten, 1987, p. 10. Independent learning must be regarded as a direction or goal to be pursued, not as an absolute standard Kesten, 1987. In this
research, independent learning is the ability of the ELESP Sanata Dharma University students become more independent of their learning process by interacting with their
friends and doing the project assigned by the lecturer. Also, independent learning is one of the goals to be achieved by the students in order to make them become more
responsible for their own learning needs.
3. Learning Strategy
Singh 2004 says an instructional strategy is a way that a teacher arranges which is designed to establish interaction between the teacher, the students, and the
subject matter, or any combination of these three dimensions. Learning strategy is intended for students and it is also related with the learning process and activity with
the teachers or lecturers in class. Moreover, Orlich’s et al. 2007 define leaning
strategy as a part of the decisions from teacher to help and encourage the students to take responsibility for learning p. 19. It can be seen that learning strategy is
