57 As a result, the students could be more independent if each of them also
participated themselves in doing group presentation project. The students were expected to learn individually while they were learning together in groups. In
addition, the process of doing the project in group would make the students become more responsible in which they realized their independent learning too.
2. Suggestions for the Lecturers
The lecturers had a big role in teaching and learning process of college students. Some of the respondents wrote in their questionnaire that the lecturers
should monitor their students while working in group. One of the respondents wrote, “According to my experiences in doing group learning, not all members are involved
in the group. Therefore, I suggest that the lecturers should monitor each group to make sure that each member of the group is doing the project
” Respondent 24. It was meant that the students need more attention from their lecturers. It can be done
by lecturers’ walking around the class to see each group during the discussion time, giving feedback, and setting time for consultation. By monitoring the students in each
group, the lecturer would know how the participation of each member in group was. Furthermore, some students believed that feedback could help them increase
their independent learning. They needed feedback from their lecturers to make group presentation project beneficial for their independent learning. It would be better if
they also made a reflection after doing the presentation. A respondent supported , “I
58 think the use of group presentation strategy will be beneficial for our independent
learning improvement if: there will be feedback from the lecturer, making reflection after presenting for each group member, getting comment from other groups
” Respondent 33. The other students added that lecturers should give time for
consultation to help the students. One of the students said, “If they got a problem,
they can discuss it or consult the problem with the lecturers ” Respondent 50.
Moreover, there were suggestions for lecturers to provide peer feedback. Several students hoped there would be peer feedback after doing the presentation. A
student said that peer feedback would motivate the students to work harder and participate in doing group presentation project Respondent 17. Then, the students
would also learn independently in preparing themselves for doing the project. Respondent 20 wrote,
“My suggestion on the use of group presentation strategy so that it can be beneficial for my independent learning improvement is I hope there will be peer-
feedback after group presentation in order to make sure every member in the
group has worked, understood and mastered the material.” The aim of peer feedback was to evaluate that each member in group had participated
in doing the group project. The findings above discussed lecturers
’ monitor through consultation and peer feedback. There was a statement from Meyer, et al. 2008 that independent learning
does not involve the students’ working alone. It was true that by doing group
presentation project students worked with their friends. They also learned together
59 and discussed the topics or materials. It was the lecturers
’ strategy for the students to learn. In fact, the lecturers would be responsible to control the students.
Consequently, the lecturers would take part to help the students if the students wanted to consult something. It was part of lecturers
’ responsibility as well as facility.
The lecturers were also expected to let the students have peer feedback after doing group presentation project. Peer tutoring had basis of socio-psychological
which offered close personal contact in environment, pedagogical as students were active as learners and increased their cooperation, motivation and self-esteem
Jaques, 1984, p. 95. Peer feedback activity would help the students become more active, responsible and motivated learners. As a result, the implementation of peer
feedback was possible to be used after doing group presentation project. It was hoped to help the students become more motivated, cooperative and independent.
3. Suggestions for the Criteria of Group Members
Based on the data in the questionnaire, the students suggested that it would be better if the members of the groups were chosen by themselves. The students believed
that they enjoyed working with their friends in a group. Heshe wrote, “It will be better if group presentation group work can choose their own
members because by having friends to work with, make me enjoy discussing, work, and learn. I have to have brain storming about the material first then I
can discuss it with my friends. That is how I feel that I improve my independent learning.
” Respondent 56
