Background of the Study

5 2. What are some possible suggestions to improve the implementation of Nicenet.org as teaching media?

C. Problem Limitation

This study is limited to discuss the student’s perception about the use of Nicenet.org web in Academic Essay Writing courses in ELESP of Sanata Dharma University. The writer focuses on researching students’ personal perception and experiences in learning writing skills by using Nicenet.org and their possible suggestions to develop the Nicenet.org usage. A survey only uses a group of respondents namely the students of Academic Essay Writing class A and D in the academic year 20082009. There are several classes which are using Nicenet.org as media. However, the writer prefers to conduct the research in Academic Essay Writing classes. The research is conducted ELESP, Sanata Dharma University, because the study’s result is intended for the sake of teaching learning media development of ELESP. The writer will not compare with the other places or universities since every university has different policies toward the use of internet in campus.

D. Objectives of the Study

Considering the formulation of the problems, the writer finds that there are two objectives to be obtained. They are stated as follows: 1. To understand the students’ perception and experiences on the use of internet especially Nicenet.org web as teaching learning media. By using a different 6 media to teach, the learners will have their own perceptions. The positive perception will bring a good attitude to the students and vice versa. 2. To provide suggestions to Sanata Dharma University, especially English Language Education Study Program or ELESP, about the development of the teaching learning media to teach more effectively. By using more appropriate media, the teachers can be able to help the students understand the lesson better.

E. Benefits of the Study

There are some benefits that can be obtained from this study. The benefits are for students, lecturers, future researchers who are interested in teaching learning media, and Sanata Dharma University, especially ELESP. To clarify the benefits of each element, the writer explains more below.

1. Students

The finding of this study is showing how Academic Essay Writing students perceive Nicenet.org as teaching media. Moreover, it also reveals how perception on the use of media can bring the impacts on the improvement of writing skills. By being introduced to Nicenet.org, the students will engage to a new teaching learning media so that they can try to apply it. Students who have a good perception on Nicenet.org will have a high motivation to learn. It can help the students to reach a maximum achievement in improving writing skill. 7

2. Lecturers

Media is one key of the success factors in teaching learning activity. In order to have a good material delivery, a teacher should have an appropriate media for the students. Selecting an appropriate media to the students is essential. This result of study describes the perception on the use of Nicenet.org. From the result, it can be illustrated that if the students perceive positively, the students’ achievement will increase. This study provides suggestions to the lecturer’s media selection to teach. The lecturer can make a trial of using a new media so that the students will not be bored. Hopefully, the learning objective expected by the lecture can be attained by implementing Nicenet.org.

3. Future Researchers

For the future researchers who are interested in this topic, this study can be a milestone for the next research. This study is hoped to be helpful for the further discussion about the use of Nicenet.org as teaching learning media. Moreover, this study can be an inspiration for next researchers concerning this area of study. The next research can explore more on the topics such as the implementation of Nicenet.org, its appropriate methods, or its material design.

4. Sanata Dharma University

For Sanata Dharma University, especially English Language Education Study Program, this study can provide suggestions to develop a new learning teaching media. If the students’ perceptions tend to be positive, Nicenet.org can be 8 implemented not only in writing course but also in every course with an adjusted way.

F. Definition of Terms

In order to make a better understanding and to avoid misconception during the study, the following terms will represent some definitions which are used in this study.

1. Perception

According to Crow and Crow 1972: 93, perception is the process of organizing and interpreting sensory data according to the results of previous experiences. The processes of perception routinely alter what someone sees. They add that individual’s feeling influences herhis perception. Just one object can rise to multiple percepts. Thus, according to their theory, in this study, the writer defines perception as the student’s feelings and experiences in the use of Nicenet.org.

2. Teaching Learning Media

Media is substance, surroundings, in which something exists or through which something moves. According to Brown, Lewis, and Harcleroad 1977: 2, media are regarded as central elements in the approach to systematic instruction. A good media should be able to send the lecturers’ instructions to their pupils and facilitate the students to get the given information. As the result of applying an appropriate media to deliver material, the students are expected to achieve better understanding on the material.