THE USE OF CLASSROOM BLOG IN TEACHING WRITING TO JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : A Case Study Of Second Year Junior High School In One Of Public Schoool In Bandung Year 2011/2012.
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to
Junior High School Students
A CASE STUDY OF SECOND YEAR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN ONE OF PUBLIC SCHOOOL IN BANDUNG YEAR 2011/2012)
A RESEARCH PAPER
Submitted to English Department of FPBS UPI Bandung as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
By
Eugenia Ines Dwi Artvianti 0802894
ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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THE USE OF CLASSROOM BLOG IN TEACHING WRITING TO
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
(A Case Study of the Second Graders of Junior High School)
ABSTRACT
This research investigated the implementation of classroom blog in teaching writing on the second grader in one of public school in Bandung. It was also aimed to find out the strength and challenges faced by the students in using Classroom Blog as a learning tool to write. A case-study design was used in this case-study and the data collected through observation, interview and document analysis. Then, the data that had been gathered were analyzed qualitatively. The results were in line with previous research which stated that classroom blog helps activate interaction with readers, create an audience and feedback for their writing, this findings are compatible with prior research findings from (Song & Chan, 2008; Zhang, 2009; Galien; 2010).The research also found out that Classroom Blog has its strength and challenges. Classroom Blog enables the students to: (1) have a fun learning environment; (2) write easily; (3) get feedbacks from teacher and peers; (4) discuss more with friends and teacher outside classroom easily; (5) access more reference for students’ writing; (6) get more motivation to write; (7) have their personal space to read and write in a community; and (8) build their analytical and critical thinking skill. There are also some challenges faced by the students, as
follows: (1) technical problems; (2) time management; (3) students’ inability to point out
mistakes done by their peers; and (4) plagiarism. Overall, the use of Classroom Blog created positive effects to the students writing fluency. For that reason, Classroom Blog is recommended to be used as writing media for students.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Statement... i
Preface... ii
Acknowledgement... iii
Abstract... ... iv
Table of Content... v
List of Figures... viii
List of Table... ix
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION... 1
1.1 Background... 1
1.2 Research Questions ... 4
1.3 Aims of the Study... 5
1.4 The Scope of the Study... ... ... 5
1.5 Significance of the Study... ... 5
1.6 Clarification of Key Term... ... 7
1.7 Paper Organization ... ... 9
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL FOUNDATION... 10
2.1 Definition of Writing and Teaching Writing ... 10
2.1.1 Definition of Writing... ... 10
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2.2 Classroom Blog ... 18
2.2.1 The Nature and Theoretical Foundations of Weblogging and Classroom Blog ... 2.3 Writing and Classroom Blog ... 18 23 2.3.1 The Teaching of Writing in EFL Classroom ... 2.3.2 Classroom Blog in EFL Classroom ... 2.4 Model of Teaching ... 2.5 Previous Study ... 23 25 27 28 CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ... 33
3.1 Research Methods... ... 33
3.2 Site and Participants... 34
3.3 Research Procedure... ... 35
3.4 Data Collection... ... 35
3.4.1 Observation... 36
3.4.2 Interview. ... 36
3.4.3 Document Analysis... 38
3.5 Data Analysis... ... 38
3.5.1 Data from Observation... ... 39
3.5.2 Data from Interview... 39
3.5.3 Data from Written Documents ... 39
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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CHAPTER IV: FINDINGS AND DATA ANALYSIS... 41
4.1 Findings On Lesson Plan in Teaching Writing Using Classroom Blog ... 41
4.1.1 Lesson Plan... ... 41
4.2 Teacher’s Activities in Teaching Writing Using Classroom Blog ... ... 4.2.1 Allowing Students to Post ... 4.2.2 Allowing Students to Reflect on The Blog Entries Sent by Their Peers ... 4.2.3 Reflecting on The Comments Received ... ... ... 4.2.3 Assigning Prompts ... ... ... ... ... .... ... 4.2.3 Reminding Students to Preview Their Text Before Posting Their Entries ... ... ... ... ... 48 48 51 52 55 58 4.3 Strength and Challenges in Using Classroom Blog in teaching Writing 4.3.1 Strength in Using Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing ... 4.3.2 Challenges in Using Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing... 4.4 Discussion of The Findings... CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS... 58 59 68 71 75 5.1 Conclusions.... ... 75
5.2 Recommendation... 76
REFERENCES... ... 77
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of the Study
The existence of internet in the last century created new and challenging environments for learning, teaching and also assessment. A number of studies explore the uses of new technologies such as web pages and discussion groups (Schellens &Valcke, 2006) as cited in Ridgway (2009), emails, synchronous chats, blogs and wikis in various educational settings and across disciplines. However, the technologies are new and it is important to explore new and effective ways of using them to enhance the processes of teaching and learning.
Nowadays, people come up with some new ways of communicating which make a significant impact on teaching and learning situation. As we move forward through this rapidly evolving information age, the integration of information and communication technologies into education has become “an imperative” (Warchauer, 2002; p.455). However, electronic literacy or called it as mastery of basic technology skills has become a prerequisite for every literate person in this era. As such, there is an overwhelming demand for the incorporation of modern technologies in education at all levels of stage. In
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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fact, these technologies have opened new avenues for assisting both teacher and learners (Dixon and Johnson, 2001).
One of the useful technologies which can be used as an interactive media in teaching and learning process is internet. The use of internet for researching and gathering information is enriching in many language teaching and learning situations, and most of the sites in English are more accessible than ever before. These kinds of resources are intended to help language teachers to be able to use them as various kinds of media in various language teaching contexts.
It seems that internet is no longer only a place to look for information, it is rapidly a place to expand, communicate, build network, publish, play and collaborate. Those advantages from internet make foreign language learners can have access to virtual classrooms and depth and breadth of teaching and learning situations, also materials which previous online learning or even physical classroom-based learning could not give. In pronunciation class, for example it is better showing students with news program on BBC, so the students know exactly how to pronounce the words correctly rather than teachers pronounce the words by themselves.
Clearly, the influence of technology in education manifested in the shift toward adopting new forms of course delivery which conceptualizes learners as knowledge creators, rather than as a passive recipient. It enables the relationship between teacher and students more democratic, humanistic,
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and constructivist where the two sides act like a partner. Thus, there are also several things that teacher should consider before choosing what technology can help the teaching and learning process, to begin with teacher need to understand what they are doing from a theoretical standpoint, then what teaching approach that they are taking, and the last is what type of learning they are encouraging. Teachers also need to know how the technology itself can fit with students’ understanding of language acquisition and how it can best support the pedagogical practices. Also, teachers need to know the technology which is going to be used.
With this concern in mind, blog can be one of valuable ways which can be used in EFL or ESL classroom. Blogs can add value to a lesson, it is also can be effectively integrated into the “broader professional context” which includes an understanding of learner needs, the educational setting, available resources, syllabus, and teaching learning goals (of Mc.Donough & Shaw, 1992, p.5).
There are unlimited reasons for using blogs in education, such as to provide a real audience for students writing, to provide extra reading practice for students, to increase the sense of community in a class, to encourage students to participate, to create an online portfolio of students written work as stated by Stanley (2005) on Zhang (2009). The primarily factor creates student interest in starting to use blogs. It is claimed that blogs work best when learners get into the habit of using them. If learners are not encouraged enough
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
4
to write in the blog, as well as Classroom blog, blogs can quickly be abandoned.
Classroom blogs are well suited to serve as online journals for students, particularly since they normally enable uploading and linking of files. Language learners could use a Classroom blog linked to a course. By publishing students’ writing in the Classroom blog, the students have possibility of writing for readers beyond classmates, not usually possible in discussion forums. Readers in turn can comment on what they have read. Self-publishing encourages ownership and responsibility on the part of the students, who may be more thoughtful if they are writing for real audience.
The research set out to explore the extent to which writing through classroom blog facilitated students’ knowledge construction and reflection. It was hoped that blogs would support them in writing. Here, the researcher explores Classroom blog as an environment for students to write journals and communicate with both tutor and peers.
1.2Research Questions
Based on the background of the study above, the writer formulates the problem statement of the research entitled “The Use of Classroom blog in
Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students” In order to answer this question, the writer arranges some subsidiary questions as follows:
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2. What are the strength and challenges in using Classroom blog in teaching writing?
1.3Aims of the Study
The purposes of the study are to find out
1. The ways teacher applied classroom blog to teach writing.
2. The strengths and challenges in using classroom blog in teaching writing.
1.4The Scope of Study
This study limits its investigation into two concerns. The first is the strategies in using blog that teacher are using to develop students’ fluency in writing, and the second is the strengths and challenges in using classroom blog in teaching writing.
1.5Significances of Study
This study expected to provide theoretical, practical, and professional benefits. 1. Theoretical benefits
The research finding can be used to enrich the theories and methods in teaching writing using classroom blog.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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Practically, the research finding will be beneficially useful for the students, the improvement of teaching method in EFL classroom, and also for the readers who are interested in teaching media.
a) The students
Students can develop their mastery on English writing using fascinating and sophisticated learning media, which is Classroom blog.
Students will be able to express themselves freely in a written form.
b) Teaching method of English as Foreign Language (EFL) program To present the implication of using classroom blog in EFL
writing activity.
To give solutions to the EFL learning process, especially in writing.
To provide information about the strategies which teacher used in using Classroom blog in writing activity.
To provide sufficient evidence about the strength and the challenges that the teacher faced in using Classroom blog to teach writing
3. Professional benefits
In this perspective, the teacher, school and even a language course will get benefits from the research finding.
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a) The teacher
Teacher knows the level of students’ mastery in writing.
Teacher can provide students with creative media in teaching writing.
Teacher can improve the strategy on teaching writing for young learners.
b) The school or a language course
The research findings can be used as a consideration to improve the teaching language, especially in EFL classroom. School or language course can provide students with more creative media, in this case is Classroom blog to help improving students’ writing skill.
c) The writer
The research findings are valuable as self-reflection on teaching writing by using classroom blog.
1.6Clarification of Key Terms.
Avoiding mistake and misperception of terms used in this research, there is an elaboration on these related terms, which are:
a) Use
Use refers to the application of a media or a program on how something is being applied. In the present study, it is connected
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
8
with the use of classroom blog in teaching writing in Junior High School.
b) Classroom blog
Enzer (2006) stated that a blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger”. Over all, there is no difference with classroom blog, classroom blog is bigger than a personal blog where all of classroom member post their writing in the classroom blog, so it gives chance for tutor and students to communicate easily.
c) Writing
Writing refers to a task which requires Junior High School students to write something in English based on topic given by the teacher. Since the need of the students is to be able to write descriptive text based on curriculum given, the teacher specified the writing as writing descriptive text. Their writing is a part of learning, and classroom blog is used as a media to write.
3.7. Paper Organization
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CHAPTER I introduce background problems, research questions, aims of the study, significance of the study and also contents of study.
CHAPTER II presents related theories and literature. Basic principle which is relevant to the present study. Theories of teaching writing using classroom blog.
CHAPTER III describes the method and research used by researcher in conducting this research. This chapter includes research design, data collection, research subjects, research instruments, and data analysis.
CHAPTER IV elaborates findings and discussion. It presents the findings of the study and its discussion.
CHAPTER V presents conclusions and suggestions. In this chapter, the researcher draws the conclusions about the study and gives the suggestions for further study in the same field.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter provides detailed presentations of procedures in the study to answer the two research questions previously stated in Chapter I. The presentation begins with research designs, research site and respondents, data collection techniques, and data analysis.
3.1 Research Method
The research method used in this study is qualitative. The choice of using this method was relevant with the research questions and the purpose of this study: to get in-depth understanding of the strategies used by teacher in teaching writing through Classroom blog in EFL Classroom. Qualitative methods focus primarily on the kind of evidence (what people tell you, what they do) that will enable you to understand the meaning of what is going on. The greatest strength is that qualitative method can illuminate issues and turn up possible explanations (Gillham, 2000).
To investigate such study, this method has two main objectives: (1) to the two research questions, this study was conducted to describe, explore, and explain the
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
34
strategies teacher used in the use of Classroom blog in EFL Classroom, (2) also the strength and challenge is using Classroom blog in EFL Classroom.
Berg (2001) describes further that qualitative technique allow researchers to share in the understanding and perceptions of others and to explore how people structure and give meaning to their daily lives. Researchers using qualitative techniques examine how people learn about and make sense of themselves and others.
Additionally, the researcher made use of multiple sources of evidences (Yin, 1993) such as data derived from observation, interview, and document text analysis.
3.2 Site and Participants
This research took place in one of public Junior High School in Bandung. This institution was chosen for at least three reasons. First, this school provides Bilingual Classes where the students should have their own online access in classroom, so that researcher is able to conduct the research. Second, location of the school is accessible. Third, researcher has access to the school, so that it enhances the feasibility of the study.
The researcher decided that the participants in this study were the students of 8th grade because students in that age are familiar with internet. Based on a research done by Purcell (2012), it showed that the rate of internet use among teens is higher
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than it is among any other age group. The participants consisted of three students who were voluntarily participated in this study.
3.3 Research Procedure
First, the researcher administers a test where the students were asked to write a descriptive text with the selected topic to measure the students’ prior knowledge on writing. The students should collect the information about the topic from various resources, after that then they do the writing.
Second, the researcher explains the nature of Classroom blog. After they have brief knowledge about Classroom blog, the students start to work in the Classroom blog for writing the task. Here, the researcher plays a role as the teacher-researcher. It could be in that the role of teacher in task-based learning is to monitor, and also as a facilitator (Nunan, 1992), so that both observation and informal interview can be done in the same time.
Third, the researcher administers interview to the students after engaging with Classroom blog.
Fourth, the researcher analyzes the data from observation and interview, also the text produced by the participants qualitatively.
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The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
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Fifth, the researcher concludes the findings and finished the thesis.
3.4 Data Collection
The data collocation techniques employed in this study were observations, interviews, and written documents analysis.
3.4.1 Observation
To collect the data, the researcher used classroom observation to know if Classroom blog helps the participants to do the writing task or not. The researcher
observed what the participants did and said. The researcher observed the participants’
activities including learning the nature of Classroom blog, managing resources, identifying and using proper information from various resources, collecting data, and their collaborative interaction between other students during and after finishing the task.
The instruments which were used in collecting the data were field notes and video-recorded. The following situations were observed by the researcher to gain more data about the learning activity. The observations were conducted six times. Each observation took 80 minutes per meeting.
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The interview used open-ended questions to focus on participants’ experience when working with Classroom blog. This is to find out how the Classroom blog help participant to accomplish the written task.
The interviews were conducted in Bahasa Indonesia. The interview was conducted during the program; it is aimed to gain the congruity of the observation result and to inquire their experience during the course. The interview inquires
participants’ activities such as helping the participants to know about the nature of
Classroom blog, managing resources, identifying and using proper information, collecting data, and also their collaborative interactions between others participants.
The interview questions consist of two parts: first part is questioning the guiding directions on Classroom blog stages to know how the participants work with Classroom blog components they inquire the students’ experience, opinion, and performance in every stage. Second part inquire the students activities when involving in the Classroom blog such as reading, skimming, scanning, evaluating, and synthesizing the web reading. These second parts also question the participants’ experiences and opinions when they get involved in Classroom blog. For details, list of questions for the interview see appendix 1. The interview was audio-taped and also written on the sheets.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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PART I 1. What do you think about the English Lesson so far?
2. Which skill is the most difficult and easiest for you? Why? How about writing?
3. Which one is your favorite media? How about Classroom blog? 4. What do you think of Classroom blog? Is it difficult to use? 5. Have you ever use Classroom blog or Blog before this? PART II 1. Does Classroom blog make you easier to learn writing?
2. If we relate it to writing, how is the use of Classroom blog in your opinion?
3. Do you enjoy using Classroom blog as a toll in learning writing? 4. What difficulties you face during the process in using Classroom
blog?
5. How Classroom blog helps you in learning writing?
3.4.3 Document Analysis
Written document is also one of the instruments that were used to gather the data in order to answer the research questions. The written documents were in the
forms of lesson plans and students’ writing task in Classroom blog. The lesson plans were analyzed to further determine the class activities during the observations, while the observation sheets and teacher field notes were also analyzed to see teacher’s strategies applied in Classroom blog.
3.5 Data Analysis
After collecting the data, the researcher analyzed the data, which were collected from observations, interview, and written documents. Therefore, the analysis of each research instrument will be presented in a form of descriptive
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explanation. These data were categorized by data collection techniques: observation data, interview data, and text analysis. Each category described such categories in order to draw answers to the research questions. The sub categories were relevant to the research questions formed in chapter one i.e. guiding directions, links, and student collaboration.
3.5.1 Data from Observation
In analyzing the data, videos were used to get deeper comprehension of the class activities, particularly the writing activity. It was also used to capture the real
situation in the class, and also support the data from observation sheets, and teacher’s
field notes. Then, the researcher played back the video, wrote down some notes. The result of the analysis will briefly discuss in Chapter 4.
3.5.2 Data from Interview
The data from interview were examined as markers that showed participants’ activities during their learning using Classroom blog. Then, the results of the interviews were transcribed to gain equivalent information about participants’ experience with in the process of writing through Classroom blog.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
40
The researcher also used the lesson plan and students’ writing task to help
gain more information in line with the research questions. The data from document analysis were used to give physical evidence of the findings from observation and interview. The analysis revealed whether classroom blog can help students to write or not.
3.6 Concluding Remark
This chapter has presented the research method used in this present study which covers research design, sites and participants, data collection, and data analysis. This study attempted to find out the benefits of the use of Classroom blog to help EFL students learn writing. Case study was used as the research design, and it involved the 8th grade students from a public Junior High School in Bandung. The data were collected through observation, interview, and document analysis. The analyzing of data employs multiple data sources. The further results of this chapter will be described in the next chapter.
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CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This final chapter presents the conclusions that can be drawn from the result of the study, describes its limitations and also provides ideas for further research.
5.1 Conclusions
This study was concerns with the use of classroom blog to help students learn writing. The purpose of the study is to find out the ways teacher applied on using classroom blog in helping students’ writing process and also strengths and challenges in the writing activities.
This study also confirms findings from previous research which showed that classroom blog is an effective media to be used as a writing prompter (Armstrong, 2008; Sollars, 2007; Bloch, 2007; Lee, 2012; Noytim, 2010; Huang & Hung, 2009)
The research comes up with the finding that the use of classroom blog is an effective media for writing. That argument was supported by the data gathered from the observation and interview. Clearly it can be seen regarding the students’ choice of more various languages in writing, the addition of new perspectives to their thoughts, and the motivational aspects in writing more and more.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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Writing for a purpose, in this case as self-expression and self-reflection, has encouraged the students to produce language more fluently. They were also concerned on correctness which leads the researcher to consider classroom blog a potential tool for the development of foreign language linguistic skills. Although the purpose of the activity aimed at improving writing skills, reading skills are likely to have also improved because of the intensive exposure to reading in peers’ writing post on the blog which has a relationship with real audience. As Thorne & Payne (2005) suggest, creative guidance from the instructor and collaboratively chosen activities are needed to integrate online writing. This new learning environment and the meaningful context have raised high motivation for the students and will help them become life-long and more efficient learners.
5.2 Recommendation
Based on the research findings, discussions, and the conclusions of research results, the writer proposes some suggestions concerning the writing activity for students, as follows:
1. Classroom blog is highly recommended to be used in helping students with their writing skills. It is an effective media to provide the students with real audience since it creates a good learning atmosphere between the students with their peers, and the teacher.
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2. Since classroom blog is a new teaching media for the students, the teacher should make the students get used to the media first by introducing Classroom blog clearly before beginning the lesson.
3. The research has successfully proved that classroom blog could help junior high school students in learning writing. It is suggested that the use of Classroom blog be apply for other students in other grades.
4. The teacher should anticipate some technical problems before beginning the writing session using classroom blog, since the media can be used only when the internet access are available.
5. For future researchers who are interested in classroom blog as media in teaching writing, training for the teachers in line with the usage of the media are needed.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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Egyptian EFL College Students’ Writing Competence and Autonomy. In Asian EFL Journal Volume 13 Issue 2 [Online]. Available: http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/PDF/Volume-13-Issue-2-Aliweh.pdf [September 21st 2012]
Nunan, David. (2004). Task-Based Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pellettieri, J. (2000). Negotiation in Cyberspace: The Role of Chatting in The Development of Grammatical Competence. In M. Warschauer and R. Kern (Eds.), Network-based language teaching: Concepts and Practice. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Pinkman, K. (2005). Using Blogs in The Foreign Language Classroom: Encouraging Learner Independence. The JALT CALL Journal, 1 (1). Poblet, Cristina Ines. (----) Blogging in The ESL/EFL Classroom [Online].
Journal of Cambridge Studies. Available:
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The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
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Russell, Christina. (2002). Teaching writing Landmarks and Horizon. United States of America: Southern Illinois University
Song, Helena S.Y & Chan, Yuen May. (2008). Educational Blogging: A Malaysian University Students’ Perception and Experience (A Journal). Ascilite Melbourne
Wu, Shuenn-Wen. (2010). Using Blogs in an EFL Writing Class (A Journal). Asian EFL Journal.
Willis, Jane. (2008). Task-Based Language Teaching: Teachers’ Solutions to
Problem Encountered. [Online]. Available:
http://www.tesol-france.org/Documents/Colloque06/JaneWillisHandout.pdf. [September 16th 2011]
Wulyani, Anik Nunuk. (2011). Improving Students’ Writing Compostitions Through Weblogging (A Shot-Case Study in a Non-English Departmenr at One of Universities in Malang). Thesis on Education Magister. Published.
Yin, Robert K. 2003. Case Study Research: Design and Method. United State of America: Sage Publications.
Zhang, Di. 2009. The Application of Blog in English Writing. Journal of Cambridge Studies. 4, 64-72
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu 75
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This final chapter presents the conclusions that can be drawn from the result of the study, describes its limitations and also provides ideas for further research.
5.1 Conclusions
This study was concerns with the use of classroom blog to help students learn writing. The purpose of the study is to find out the ways teacher applied on using classroom blog in helping students’ writing process and also strengths and challenges in the writing activities.
This study also confirms findings from previous research which showed that classroom blog is an effective media to be used as a writing prompter (Armstrong, 2008; Sollars, 2007; Bloch, 2007; Lee, 2012; Noytim, 2010; Huang & Hung, 2009)
The research comes up with the finding that the use of classroom blog is an effective media for writing. That argument was supported by the data gathered from the observation and interview. Clearly it can be seen regarding the students’ choice of more various languages in writing, the addition of new perspectives to their thoughts, and the motivational aspects in writing more and more.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu 76
Writing for a purpose, in this case as self-expression and self-reflection, has encouraged the students to produce language more fluently. They were also concerned on correctness which leads the researcher to consider classroom blog a potential tool for the development of foreign language linguistic skills. Although the purpose of the activity aimed at improving writing skills, reading skills are likely to have also improved because of the intensive exposure to reading in peers’ writing post on the blog which has a relationship with real audience. As Thorne & Payne (2005) suggest, creative guidance from the instructor and collaboratively chosen activities are needed to integrate online writing. This new learning environment and the meaningful context have raised high motivation for the students and will help them become life-long and more efficient learners.
5.2 Recommendation
Based on the research findings, discussions, and the conclusions of research results, the writer proposes some suggestions concerning the writing activity for students, as follows:
1. Classroom blog is highly recommended to be used in helping students with their writing skills. It is an effective media to provide the students with real audience since it creates a good learning atmosphere between the students with their peers, and the teacher.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu 77
2. Since classroom blog is a new teaching media for the students, the teacher should make the students get used to the media first by introducing Classroom blog clearly before beginning the lesson.
3. The research has successfully proved that classroom blog could help junior high school students in learning writing. It is suggested that the use of Classroom blog be apply for other students in other grades.
4. The teacher should anticipate some technical problems before beginning the writing session using classroom blog, since the media can be used only when the internet access are available.
5. For future researchers who are interested in classroom blog as media in teaching writing, training for the teachers in line with the usage of the media are needed.
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Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu 77
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Journal of Cambridge Studies. Available:
(6)
Eugnia Ines Dwi Artvianti, 2013
The Use of Classroom Blog in Teaching Writing to Junior High School Students
(a Case Study of Second Year Junior High School in One of Public Schoool in Bandung Year 2011/2012)
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu 79
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Song, Helena S.Y & Chan, Yuen May. (2008). Educational Blogging: A Malaysian University Students’ Perception and Experience (A
Journal). Ascilite Melbourne
Wu, Shuenn-Wen. (2010). Using Blogs in an EFL Writing Class (A Journal). Asian EFL Journal.
Willis, Jane. (2008). Task-Based Language Teaching: Teachers’ Solutions to
Problem Encountered. [Online]. Available: http://www.tesol-france.org/Documents/Colloque06/JaneWillisHandout.pdf.
[September 16th 2011]
Wulyani, Anik Nunuk. (2011). Improving Students’ Writing Compostitions
Through Weblogging (A Shot-Case Study in a Non-English Departmenr at One of Universities in Malang). Thesis on Education
Magister. Published.
Yin, Robert K. 2003. Case Study Research: Design and Method. United State of America: Sage Publications.
Zhang, Di. 2009. The Application of Blog in English Writing. Journal of