Definition of Action Research

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2. Subject of the Research

The subject of the research was the eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 1 Teras, Boyolali at IPA II in the academic year of 2010 2011. The students were observed by the researcher in their English lesson especially in writing subject. There were 38 students consisting of 27 girls and 11 boys in class. The classroom is located in the back yard of SMA Negeri 1 Teras, exactly in the south side of yard and it is in the west of administration office. They were quite silent students. The condition of the class was quite comfortable. There were tables and chairs as many as the students‟ number, a whiteboard and board markers. The class was clean, good air circulation and good lighting. But, the classroom of XI IPA II was not completed by OHP or LCD that supported teaching and learning process. So, frequently they moved to multimedia room to get better facilities for studying.

B. Method of the Research

1. Definition of Action Research

Action research is the application of fact finding to practical problem solving in social situation with a view to improving the quality of action within it, involving the collaboration and co-operation of researchers, practitioners and laymen Burns, 1993: 30. According to Ferrance 1998 action research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research. Ferrance‟s statement is clear enough since it provides complete information about action research reflected in these key words: process, participants, educational practice, and techniques of research. Wikipedia defines action research as a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a community of practice to improve the way they address issues and solve commit to user 42 problems. Action research can also be undertaken by larger organizations or institutions, assisted or guided by professional researchers, with the aim of improving their strategies, practices, and knowledge of the environments within which they practice 2007: 1. Kemmis in Hopkins 1993: 2 says that action research is a form of self reflective inquiry undertaken by participants in a social situation including educational in order to improve the rationally and justice of a their own social or educational practices, and, b their understanding of these practices, and c the situations in which the practices are carried out. Other expert, Rapoport 1970 in Hopkins 1993: 2 says that action research aims to contribute both to the practical concerns of people in an immediate problematic situation and to the goals of social science by joint collaboration within a mutually acceptable ethical framework. Wallace defines action research as a way of reflecting on teacher‟s teaching that is done systematically by collecting data on their everyday practice and analyzing it in order to come to some decisions about what their future practice should be 1998: 4. Mills proposes action research as systematic inquiry done by the teachers or other individuals in teaching or learning environment to gather information about and subsequently improve the ways their particular school operates, how they teach, and how well the students learn 2000: 5. From the definitions above, it can be concluded that action research is the systematic study of efforts to overcome education problems or to change things related to educational problem for improvement. This research will be carried out by the collaboration of the writer as the teacher and her partner as the observer. The practical action is using animation movie to improve students‟ writing skill. The reflection of the actions can be known while the visual aid is used. This reflection shows whether animation movie can improve students‟ writing skill. commit to user 43

2. Characteristics of Action Research