A STUDY ON DIGITAL NATIVE’S LEARNING STYLE IN LEARNING ENGLISH OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP NEGERI 1 MALANG

A STUDY ON DIGITAL NATIVE’S LEARNING STYLE IN

LEARNING ENGLISH OF 8

TH

_{GRADE STUDENTS OF}

SMP NEGERI 1 MALANG

THESIS

by

NOVI DWI PRATISTA ARIFIANA

201010100311284

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

ii

A STUDY ON DIGITAL NATIVE’S LEARNING STYLE IN

LEARNING ENGLISH OF 8

TH

_{GRADE STUDENTS OF}

SMP NEGERI 1 MALANG

THESIS

This thesis is submitted to meet one of the requirements to achieve

Bachelor Degree in English Education

by

NOVI DWI PRATISTA ARIFIANA

201010100311284

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

iii

This thesis written by Novi Dwi Pratista Arifiana was approved on February 4, 2015

Advisor II

Advisor I

iv

This thesis was defended in front of examiners of Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of University of Muhammadiyah Malang

and accepted as one of the requirements to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education

on February 4, 2015

Approved by:

Faculty of Teacher Training and Education University of Muhammadiyah Malang

Dean,

Dr. Poncojari Wahyono, M.Kes

Examiners: Signature:

1. Bayu Hendro Wicaksono, M.Ed, Ph.D 1. ………

2. Adityo, S.S, M.A 2. ………

3. Drs. Soeparto, M.Pd 3. ………

v

MOTTO AND DEDICATION

“If you do not believe in your own ability to accomplish your goals, believe in

Allah’s ability to help you”

I dedicated this thesis to:

My beloved father and mother

My beloved sister and brother

vi

A STUDY ON DIGITAL NATIVE’S LEARNING STYLE IN LEARNING ENGLISH OF 8TH _{GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP NEGERI 1 MALANG}

ABSTRACT

This research was based on the fact that today’s students are different with the previous era students. Today’s students are called Digital Native. According to Prensky (2001), digital native is a generation who are born in technology development. This generation has different characteristics which are affected their learning style. Learning style is a way of people to remember or understand something in learning that will help the student to achieve the learning goal (Prithchard, 2008). This research tried to find out the kinds of learning style used by the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang in learning English and learning style that is preferable to be used by the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang in learning English.

This research is a descriptive research that describe a state of the affair as it

exists at present” (Kothari, 2004:37). The population of this research was the second year or the 8th _{grade digital native students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang. The writer took}

10 students from 2 classes and used purposive sampling technique. The instrument that used to get the data was interview.

From the interview that had been conducted, the writer found 5 kinds of learning styles used by the 8th grade digital native students at SMP Negeri 1 Malang, they are visual, aural, verbal, social and solitary. Also, the learning style that preferable used by the 8th grade digital native students at SMP Negeri 1 Malang is social learning style.

Keywords: digital native, learning style

The Advisor I, The Writer,

vii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Alhamdulillah and all praise to the Almighty, Allah SWT, the Lord of this universe, who gives the writer his guidance and blessing to write this thesis as the requirement to achieve undergraduate degree in English Education at University of Muhammadiyah Malang.

The writer would like to express her appreciation and sincere gratitude to Drs.Soeparto, M.Pd. (Advisor I) and Rahmawati Khadijah Maro, S.Pd M.PEd. (Advisor II) for their guidance, suggestion, advice and comment during the completion of this thesis.

Her sincere gratitude and respect are also extended to the teacher and headmaster of SMP Negeri 1 Malang who had given her the opportunity to conduct research.

Finally, a special thank and gratitude goes to her beloved parent (Syamsul Arifin and Tri Wahyu Agustini), her beloved brother (Fendy), her beloved sister Betie, also her best friends (Ika, Cicik, Kiki, Fery, Bayu) for their encouragement, love, prayers, sacrifice, and support in a good and a bad time of her life.

Malang, January 26, 2015

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL ... iii

LEGALIZATION ... iv

MOTTO AND DEDICATION ... v

ABSTRACT ... vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ... viii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION... . 1

1.1 Background of the Study ... 1

1.2 Statements of the Problems ... 4

1.3 Purpose of the Study ... 4

1.4 Significance of the Study ... 5

1.5 Scope and Limitation ... 5

1.6 Definition of the Key Terms ... 5

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE... 7

2.1 The Classification of Generations ... 7

2.1.1 The Baby Boom Generation ... 7

2.1.2 The Generation X ... 8

2.1.3 The Net Generation ... 8

2.1.4 The Generation Next ... 8

2.1.4.1 Digital Native ... 9

2.2 Learning Style ... 10

2.2.1 Visual Learning Style ... 10

2.2.2 Aural Learning Style ... 11

2.2.3 Verbal Learning Style ... 11

2.2.4 Physical Learning Style ... 11

2.2.5 Logical Learning Style ... 12

2.2.6 Social learning Styles ... 12

ix

2.3 Learning Style of Digital Native ... 13

2.4 Related Study ... 15

CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHOD ... 18

3.1 Research Design ... 18

3.2 Population and Sample ... 18

3.3 Research Instrument ... 19

3.4 Data Collection ... 20

3.5 Data Analysis ... 20

CHAPTER IV: RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION………….. .. 22

4.1 Research Findings ... 22

4.1.1 English Learning Styles Used by Second Year of Digital Native Students at SMP Negeri 1 Malang 22 4.1.1.1 Visual Learning Style ... 23

4.1.1.2 Aural Learning Style ... 23

4.1.1.3 Verbal Learning Style ... 24

4.1.1.4 Social Learning Style ... 25

4.1.1.5 Solitary Learning Style ... 26

4.1.2 The Preferable English Learning Style Used by Second Year of Digital Native students at SMP Negeri 1 Malang……… 26

4.2 Discussion ... 28

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ... 34

5.1 Conclusions ... 34

5.2 Suggestions ... 35

REFERENCES ... 37 APPENDIX 1

APPENDIX 2 APPENDIX 3 APPENDIX 4 APPENDIX 5

x

REFERENCES

Advanogy. 2014. Overview of Learning Styles. Learning-Styles-online.org Available at:

http://homeworkstipsabout.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/learningstyles. Accessed on May 10, 2014.

Arbuthnott, D.K, and Kraützig, P.G. 2006. ‘Perceptual Learning Style and Learning Proficiency: A Test of the Hypothesis’ Journal of Education Psychology, (98) 1, p. 238-246.

Available at:

http://medsci.indiana.edu/Kratzig_learningstyles_edpsych_2006. Accessed on June 27, 2014.

Ary, D., Jacobs. L.C., and Sorensen.C. 2010. Introduction to Research in Education 8th Edition. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Bogdan, R.C and Biklen, S.K. 2003. Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theory and Methods 4th Edition. United States of America: Pearson Education Group.

Boyce,C and Neale, P. 2006. Conducting In-Depth Interviews: A Guide for Designing and Conducting In-Depth Interviews for Evaluation Input. Pathfinder International. Available at:

http://pathfinder.org/site/DocServer/m_e_tool_series_indepth_interview s.pdf Accessed on October 10,2014.

Creswell, J.W. 2012. Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Boston: Pearson Education.

Davis, Sandra.E. 2007. ‘Learning Style and Memory’ Institutes for Learning Style Journal, (1) Fall, 46-51. Available at:

http://auburn.edu/Davis_ilsjr_fall2007.pdf Accessed on June 27, 2014. Gravett, L and Throckmorton, R. 2007. Bridging The Generation Gap. Canada:

Career Press.

Johnson, Ronnie. 2003. Memletics Memeletics Learning Styles Inventory.

http://www.ronniejohson.info/files/creativeteaching/memeletics-learning-styles-inventory.pdf Accessed on April 17, 2014.

Kothari, C.R. 2004. Research Methodolygy: Methods and Techniques 2nd Edition.

xi

Mahardikaningtyas, E. 2009. The Study Of The Students’ Learning Style In Listening Comprehension Of Second Year Student SMP 2 Blitar. Malang: Unpublished Thesis, University of Muhammadiyah Malang.

Oxford, R.L. 1992. Language Learning Strategies. Massachusetts: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.

Prensky, Marc. 2001. Digital Native, Digital Imigrant, Part I and Part II. From on the Horizon: NCB University Press, Vol 9 No 5. Available at: http://www.marcprensky.com//writing/prensky-digital. Accessed on May 15, 2014

Pritchard, Alan. 2009. Ways of Learning: Learning Theories and Learning Style in The Classroom 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.

Rahman, Arif. 2011. A Study On Digital Natives’ Learning Style Of First Semester

Students Of University Of Muhammadiyah Malang. Malang:

Unpublished Thesis, University of Muhammadiyah Malang.

Santrock, John W. 2011. Educational Psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.

Syaro, R. M. 2012. A Study of Learning Styles Used by Digital Native Learners at

SMPN 2 Sukapura Probolinggo. Malang: Unpublished Thesis,

University of Muhammadiyah Malang.

Tapscott, Don. 2011. Grown Up Digital: How The Net Generation is Changing Your World. New York: Mc-Graw Hill Companies.

1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

This chapter provides the basic idea related to the study. It presents background of the study, statement of problem, purpose of study, significance of the study, scope and limitation, and definition of the key terms.

1.1Background of the Study

Learning can be defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience (Santrock, 2011: 217). It is a lifelong process that starts before the school time and continues even after it rapidly. No matter a man or woman, young or adult, everybody does learning. One of the basic learning in someone’s life is language learning.

Language is one of human’s basic needs. In Indonesia, English is still a foreign language, but it becomes an obligatory subject to study. In teaching and learning English, the students at least have to master the four English skills. Therefore, the teacher has to provide material and condition that can develop their English skills.

In fact, the teaching and learning process is not always like what is expected. The students will have various mark although they had been thought with the same technique, material and condition. It happens because every students has different characteristics and intelligence that influence them to be successful in

2

language learning. Teachers often deliver instruction as though all students think alike. In fact, students are different. They perceive and learn in different ways. The way that student used in learning called learning style.

According to Pritchard (2009: 41) learning style is individual preference in intellectual approach to think, process information, and demonstrate learning. It can be categorized into seven types (Johnson, 2003). They are visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social and solitary. By using learning style, students can develop their English skill based on their interest, abilities and preferences.

Learning style determines the successfulness of teaching and learning process. Thus, it is not only important for the students, but also the teacher. The teacher has the role to know and understand his students’ learning style which is

related with the students’ characteristics. By knowing the students’ characteristics, the teacher can help the students to achieve the learning goal. As one of research topics in education, there are many previous researches about learning style. The writer found three studies related to learning style.

The first is Mahardikaningtyas’ study (2009). He studied on the students’

learning style in listening comprehension of second year student SMP 2 Blitar and found seven types of learning style. Those were visual, aural, verbal, logical, physical, social, and solitary. Also, the style mostly used by the students were social and physical learning styles.

The next researcher is Rahman (2012) who investigated the digital natives’ learning style of first semester students of University of Muhammadiyah Malang. He

3

found those seven types of learning style: visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social and solitary. He also revealed the dominant learning style which was verbal. Moreover, the other researcher found that there were four types of learning style which were used by the digital natives of SMP Negeri 2 Sukapura, Probolinggo. Those were visual, aural, physical and solitary. Then, the major learning style was physical (Syaro, 2012).

The rapid change of technology makes changes to the students and their

characteristics. Today’s students are different with those of the previous generation According to Pernsky (2001), students who born in technology era are like spending their time with internet, computer, cell phones and video games, they are called the

Digital Native. Prensky has stated this generation is really fast in receiving information than the previous generation. It is because their thinking pattern is already influenced with technology which is really fast and easy in searching information. They are also multitasking and like doing parallel process. They can do two or more activities at the same time because they used to do it when operating more than one technology. Digital native likes to see graphic chart than text and random access like hypertext which is influenced by the content in computer. Moreover they are good in networking and prefer games than serious work. This is because they like to interact with other and in games they can use all their skills and abilities.

Based on the explanation above, there is necessity in studying the

4

different characteristics that will cause different learning style. By knowing the

students’ learning style will help the teacher and students to avoid the discrepancy

between the teaching style and students learning style. Therefore, they can achieve the learning goal.

Thus, the writer wants to study on the digital native students’ learning

style in learning English. The writer chose the 8th _{grade students of SMP Negeri 1}

Malang to do this research because the students have their own learning style, but still need guidance from the teacher. Also, this school is one of the favorite schools in Malang that support the digital learning by providing Wi-Fi area around the school. Therefore, SMP Negeri 1 Malang students are digital native students.

1.2Statement of Problem

Based on the background of the study above, the problems of this study are:

1. What kinds of learning style are used by the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang in learning English?

2. What is the preferable learning style that used by the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang in learning English?

1.3 Purpose of the Study

Based on the statement of problems above, the purposes of the study are: 1. To find out the kinds of learning style used by the 8th grade students of SMP

5

2. To identify the preferable learning style used by the 8th _{grade students of SMP}

Negeri 1 Malang in learning English.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The result of this study is expected could give some contributions. First, the result of this study can be useful for the English teacher. The writer hopes that the

teacher can identify and know students’ learning style, so the teacher can teach with the suitable technique for the students’ learning style. For the students, the writer hopes that they will optimize their learning style. Thus, when they apply it, they can learn comfortably and improve their English skill. The last, it is hoped, this study will be useful for the academic reference for the next researchers.

1.5 Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study is the students’ learning style in learning English. This study is limited at the 10 students of the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang.

1.6 Definition of Key Terms

To avoid misunderstanding about some key terms used in this study the writer gives the definition of key terms as follow:

Digital Native : is a person born in technology era and is familiar with technology from an early age.

6

Learning style : is an approach or way in learning that is different from one person to others.

SMP Negeri 1 Malang : is one of senior high school in Malang that located at Jalan Lawu No. 12 Malang.

1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

This chapter provides the basic idea related to the study. It presents background of the study, statement of problem, purpose of study, significance of the study, scope and limitation, and definition of the key terms.

1.1Background of the Study

Learning can be defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience (Santrock, 2011: 217). It is a lifelong process that starts before the school time and continues even after it rapidly. No matter a man or woman, young or adult, everybody does learning. One of the basic learning in someone’s life is language learning.

Language is one of human’s basic needs. In Indonesia, English is still a foreign language, but it becomes an obligatory subject to study. In teaching and learning English, the students at least have to master the four English skills. Therefore, the teacher has to provide material and condition that can develop their English skills.

In fact, the teaching and learning process is not always like what is expected. The students will have various mark although they had been thought with the same technique, material and condition. It happens because every students has different characteristics and intelligence that influence them to be successful in

2

language learning. Teachers often deliver instruction as though all students think alike. In fact, students are different. They perceive and learn in different ways. The way that student used in learning called learning style.

According to Pritchard (2009: 41) learning style is individual preference in intellectual approach to think, process information, and demonstrate learning. It can be categorized into seven types (Johnson, 2003). They are visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social and solitary. By using learning style, students can develop their English skill based on their interest, abilities and preferences.

Learning style determines the successfulness of teaching and learning process. Thus, it is not only important for the students, but also the teacher. The teacher has the role to know and understand his students’ learning style which is related with the students’ characteristics. By knowing the students’ characteristics, the teacher can help the students to achieve the learning goal. As one of research topics in education, there are many previous researches about learning style. The writer found three studies related to learning style.

The first is Mahardikaningtyas’ study (2009). He studied on the students’ learning style in listening comprehension of second year student SMP 2 Blitar and found seven types of learning style. Those were visual, aural, verbal, logical, physical, social, and solitary. Also, the style mostly used by the students were social and physical learning styles.

The next researcher is Rahman (2012) who investigated the digital natives’ learning style of first semester students of University of Muhammadiyah Malang. He

3

found those seven types of learning style: visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social and solitary. He also revealed the dominant learning style which was verbal. Moreover, the other researcher found that there were four types of learning style which were used by the digital natives of SMP Negeri 2 Sukapura, Probolinggo. Those were visual, aural, physical and solitary. Then, the major learning style was physical (Syaro, 2012).

The rapid change of technology makes changes to the students and their characteristics. Today’s students are different with those of the previous generation According to Pernsky (2001), students who born in technology era are like spending their time with internet, computer, cell phones and video games, they are called the

Digital Native. Prensky has stated this generation is really fast in receiving

information than the previous generation. It is because their thinking pattern is already influenced with technology which is really fast and easy in searching information. They are also multitasking and like doing parallel process. They can do two or more activities at the same time because they used to do it when operating more than one technology. Digital native likes to see graphic chart than text and random access like hypertext which is influenced by the content in computer. Moreover they are good in networking and prefer games than serious work. This is because they like to interact with other and in games they can use all their skills and abilities.

Based on the explanation above, there is necessity in studying the students’ learning style. Especially for the digital native students, because they have

4

different characteristics that will cause different learning style. By knowing the students’ learning style will help the teacher and students to avoid the discrepancy between the teaching style and students learning style. Therefore, they can achieve the learning goal.

Thus, the writer wants to study on the digital native students’ learning style in learning English. The writer chose the 8th _{grade students of SMP Negeri 1} Malang to do this research because the students have their own learning style, but still need guidance from the teacher. Also, this school is one of the favorite schools in Malang that support the digital learning by providing Wi-Fi area around the school. Therefore, SMP Negeri 1 Malang students are digital native students.

1.2Statement of Problem

Based on the background of the study above, the problems of this study are:

1. What kinds of learning style are used by the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang in learning English?

2. What is the preferable learning style that used by the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang in learning English?

1.3 Purpose of the Study

Based on the statement of problems above, the purposes of the study are: 1. To find out the kinds of learning style used by the 8th grade students of SMP

5

2. To identify the preferable learning style used by the 8th _{grade students of SMP} Negeri 1 Malang in learning English.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The result of this study is expected could give some contributions. First, the result of this study can be useful for the English teacher. The writer hopes that the teacher can identify and know students’ learning style, so the teacher can teach with the suitable technique for the students’ learning style. For the students, the writer hopes that they will optimize their learning style. Thus, when they apply it, they can learn comfortably and improve their English skill. The last, it is hoped, this study will be useful for the academic reference for the next researchers.

1.5 Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study is the students’ learning style in learning English. This study is limited at the 10 students of the 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Malang.

1.6 Definition of Key Terms

To avoid misunderstanding about some key terms used in this study the writer gives the definition of key terms as follow:

Digital Native : is a person born in technology era and is familiar with technology from an early age.

6

Learning style : is an approach or way in learning that is different from one person to others.

SMP Negeri 1 Malang : is one of senior high school in Malang that located at Jalan Lawu No. 12 Malang.