The use of journal in teaching Writing
Dariani
English Department
Gorontalo State University
December. 2012
Background
In teaching writing, teacher usually uses different method or technique to improve students writing ability. Teacher should consider the method that she or he use in class to achieve his or her goals. However, the method that use by teacher in class, it sometimes is ineffective in teaching writing. Moreover, students can produce the good writing depend on the method that use teacher in class. Teacher needed to consider his or her method in teaching writing because writing includes the difficult skill in English. Students should learn how to produce a good writing with consideration in writing rules, such as grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and tenses. This phenomenon seems to students of English Department. Although students had been in the college, they still have some difficulty to compose a paragraph or an essay in academic writing.
From the phenomenon above, this research introduce the ones of method that can use in teaching writing. It is journal writing method. Quain (2012) stated that by using personal journals, teacher can evaluate students’ ability in writing skill; spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. In this journal writing, students reflect the material that they had learned. As faculty development and instructional design center, (n.d), state that reflective journals are personal records of students’ learning experiences. Students typically are asked by their instructors to record learning related incidents, sometimes during the learning process but it more often about they had learned. Moon, ( 2003) added that journal writing that use in class present in many shape such as notebook, diary, and electronic form. However, the phenomenon that use in English Department is the jurnal in diary form.
There are many researches that had been conducted about the use of journal writing in teaching writing. Ones of them is Wafa, et al (n.d) about keeping journal writing to improve the students writing ability of the tenth grade students of SMAN 1 Jekulo Kudus. This research focused how to improve writing ability of the students, as their treatment, they use the journal as the method or technique in teaching writing of the students. The result of this research showed keeping journal writing is effective and works well in improving the writing ability of the tenth grade students of SMAN 1 Jekulo Kudus. Besides, Iliyanti (2009) in Wafa, et all (n.d) also in her research about improving students’ writing ability through journal. As her treatment, she gave the students some articles to be commented but she was not teaching them directly. She only came to the class for three times to check give articles and check the students’ journal. And the result of her research, the journal can improve student’s writing ability.
The research previous showed that the use of journal in teaching writing is effective. It was proved that the result of their finding when journal writing would be a treatment to improve student’s ability in writing. However, in their research, they only showed the effectiveness of the use journal writing in teaching writing through do experiment with give the treatment to students as result of their research. They did not show how the process of the use journal that it can improve students’ writing ability. While, it is very important to be discussed how the teacher apply the journal in class, and the perception of students about the use journal in learning process of writing, thus the method can know whether the use of journal is effective in teaching writing. Therefore, the researcher will conduct this research to complete the finding about this research previous.
This research could use in educational area, especially to develop writing ability. Besides, this research also can help teacher to consider the good method in teaching writing and give some solution in teaching writing.
Generally, this research also aim to explore the applying of journal in teaching writing, and to know the role of this method, especially, in improvement students writing ability. So, by this research, the writer wants to know the using of journal in teaching writing.
Research Questions
1. How the teacher apply the journal writing method in class?
2. How the journal can improve students’ ability in writing?
3. How the students’ perception about the use of journal method in learning process of writing?
Research purpose
This research purposed to know how the teacher apply or use journal in class especially its using in teaching writing, and to show about students’ perception about the use of journal writing that involve their perception in negative or positive side thus, it can be know the disadvantage and advantage the use of journal writing in class. Besides, this research also aim to know the role of journal writing in teaching writing which it can improve the students’ ability in writing.
Significance of study
Journal is one of the teaching methods that can be applied in class. Teaching writing through journal writing can facilitate the students to learn writing. The result of this research is expected to be beneficial for English teaching, especially in teaching writing. In addition, the result of this study is also expected to be guidance for the teacher in constructing and using journal to teach writing in college. Besides, it is expected that journal writing can help teacher to make the teaching of writing subject is interesting. Teacher will be considered applying journal method in teaching writing which can help them to find solution in improvement student’s ability in writing and it can be helpful to increase students’ motivation and interest in learning writing. Students also can develop their skill by understanding the using journal method in writing.
In addition, this research can help the writer to know the good method in teaching writing that will be a teacher in the future. The researcher will be considered the use of journal in teaching writing which it can help the teacher to improve student’s ability by understanding the using journal method in writing.
Definition of term
Tarigan (2008: 37) journal is a media like a notes, book, pad, etc. It generally has function as a diary that can be personal note.
Literature review
In this following section, this research will explain about the using of journal writing by teacher in class, the role of the using journal writing, and the students’ perception about the use of journal writing.
The using of journal by teacher in class
In using of journal, teacher has a big role. Teacher will determine what should be doing when teaching writing by using journal. As Baxter, (2009) suggested using journal in three teaching situation. They are starting class, ending class, and focusing. Firstly, starting class means that teacher started class with five minutes for journal writing, and students are asked by teacher to write about question that will be a subject of the lesson today. Secondly, ending class means that teacher asked students to write down or describe that they do not understand about what they learned at the end of class. And, ending class with a journal activity, teacher asked students to synthesize the course material in their books or notebook. Thirdly, focusing means that a teacher asked students to take note about their opinion about the topic.
Besides, Campbell, (2012) also added the way of using journal in teaching methods. Firstly, teachers give assignment daily journal entries to students for next day in small group discussion. In this case, students not only asked to reflect the topic, but they also required to create their result of discussion with their friend. Secondly, Students required writing journal entry clearly for every lecture to be grade every period. Students also can use this journal entry as a guide for section exam. Journal entry also involves daily review material to improve their comprehension about the material and getting the high grade. Thirdly, teacher asked students at the end of each class to write journal entry so that they were could influence by the habit of writing journal.
In teaching writing, teacher gives correction with students’ journal. Peyton (2004) stated that when journal entries that do by student have some mistake, teacher will explain the lesson that related with the students problem clearly. Journals in a Facing History, (n.d) also stated there are ways to give a feedback for students’ journal. Besides use traditional grade, teacher can comment or asking question. Brown (n.d) added that after student finish their first journal entry; students receive a feedback before next journal entry.
The role of journal writing
Muirhead (2004) stated that journal writing is very effective, besides students forced to review or reflect the material in their journal entry and so that they never to forget the material, journal writing also can improve writing skill. Teacher also can measure the students’ comprehension about the course material with the teacher already teach. Muirhead, (2004) also stated that the benefit of journal of reflection the material about the topic. By using reflective material, students can record the material in their mind permanently, and it can improve writing skill. In addition, Wafa (2010) found that besides keeping journal can increase the students ‘ability in writing, keeping journal also have a big role to build students’ vocabulary. Browman also says “One of the most challenging tasks with journal writing is evaluating the student's written work.
stated that by using personal journals, teacher can evaluate and assets the students’ writing skill; teacher also can evaluate spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, so that journal of writing is very important to apply in educational area, particularly, using in teaching writing. Besides, (Baxter, 2009) reported that journal also can make personal connection with the course material because they can engaged with the material when they writing and learning in their notebook.
According to Barkley, Cross and Major (2005), dialogue journals “offer a formal medium for students to record their thoughts, connect coursework to their personal lives, and ask each other questions” and that the effectiveness of the dialogue journal is determined “when writers know that someone who is also interested in the topic will read and respond to their entries.” (p.236). When a learner writes in a journal, in away, the learner is expressing his or her spoken viewpoints in writing. It can also minimize his anxiety in using the language as he has time to think and express his ideas in writing and it can indirectly encourage him to practice the language outside his classrooms.
Peyton (2000) also states that students enjoy dialogue journal writing as their teachers participate in genuine dialogues which improve communicative aspects of writing. Dialogue journal writing allows teachers and students to communicate more effectively and genuine feedback can be produced. Peyton (1993) added “Dialogue journals not only open a new channel of communication, but they also provide another context for language and literacy development. Students have the opportunity to use English in a non-threatening atmosphere, in interaction with a proficient English speaker. Because the interaction is written, it allows students to use reading and writing in purposeful ways and provides a natural, comfortable bridge to other kinds of writing.” Barba, 1993 also stated that the use of dialog journal in foreign language class can improve learners’ writing and speaking ability.
The students’ perception about journal writing
Ice (2004) in his research, presented that the perspective of students about using journal writing in class.
· Students’ perception of benefit the use of journal writing.
Students agreed that dialog journal writing is an effective that focused to individualized learning, educate collaborative relationship between teacher and student, recommend about reflection, help students make sense of their experience, student can share experience, and journal build confidence.
· Students’ perception of disadvantage of journal writing
Students regard the problems that related to dialogue journals. Several points were raised are first, lack of ideas, some student thought that when journal writing was not always easy to come up with ideas. Sometimes students did not have much idea to say and they forced their self to think about their journal. Second, lack of time. Third, difficulty to maintenance interest of student by using journal. In addition, according to Hennings (1992)” where the undergraduate and graduate students did not find dialogue journals useful in helping them understands the course materials more better”.
Methodology
Method
This research will use qualitative method with the case study sort. It will serve in describing form of the phenomenon or the real situation that will observed. The describing can be in explanation form, opinion or notion that collected by the writer from the sources conform technique of collecting data.
Qualitative approach
Qualitative approach concerns to explain, analyze, and understand the phenomenon or circumstance that happened in surroundings. As Sugiyono (2008) stated that qualitative method is a research method that used to analyze the condition of natural setting or object where the researcher as the key instrument and the result of qualitative method more emphasized on meaning or process. And this research intends to know about the phenomenon that will be observed about how the use of journal in teaching writing so that this research will appropriate with the qualitative method.
Case study
Gall, Borg, &Gall (1996) defined in case study, a researcher describe, explain, or assess and evaluate a phenomenon deeply that happened such as in event, person, program, institution, and organization. Nawawi (2003 ) added in case study, the data do not only have from the case that observed, but it can get from the other sources that know and understand about the case. The phenomenon that happened in this research concerns in an institution where in English Department is found the use of journal in teaching writing, and this research will describe and explain the phenomenon.
Site
This research will conduct in Gorontalo State University, particularly, at English Department; English department is ones of faculty in letters and culture faculty. The English department is located in the back-west of the campus. It has five rooms, and two language lab. They are R.11.25, R. 11.26, R. 11.27, R.11.28, N.N.1.2, Lab A, and Lab B. This department has five classes. The average of numbers students in the class of each grade is about more than thirty students. The first point is being consideration in choosing this site as the research site is the lecturer’s ability that uses some method in teaching writing, especially the use of journal method, and the students ‘ability in writing is varied. The second point is being considered is this site located in downtown, and this site is the researcher’s department where taken for studying. Thus, it will be easy to research, and it will minimize the cost of the research.
Participant
The participants of this research is the lecturer and students that use journal in teaching writing process in classroom, especially for those who are in the third semester. The participants are chosen based on several criteria which have been classified by the researcher. The participant that will choose with the criteria that have an experience and a gratifying knowledge about the use of journal. This participant will helpful this research in the strength of the data when they have an experience and the wide knowledge about the use of journal.
Data collection
Instrumentation
The research instrument that is being used in this research is observation, interviewing and documentation. The researcher will use observation of this research. Observation is used to observe the phenomenon directly which about the use of journal writing in class. In this observation, the researcher will use passive participative observation. Sugiono (2008) reported that passive participative observation means that the research is present at the scene of action but it does not participate in participant’s activity. This observation aim to know how the teacher apply journal in class, and also the researcher can know how the journal improve students’ ability in writing. This research also will use interviewing. The researcher attempts to use the semi structure interview. Esterberg (2002) in Sugiono (2008) categorized semi structure interview includes in-depth interview where the source is asked his or her opinion, or some idea about the phenomenon. This interview will describe the result of this research on how the students’ perception of journal writing and the use of journal writing that use the lecturer in classroom as a method to teach writing subject, and the teacher who use the journal writing in class. Besides, this research also uses documentation. Hancock (2002) stated that documentation can be a wide range of written materials that can produce qualitative information. Documentation can be a diary form that use students as their journal. The use of multiple sources of instruments in collecting data to strength the data or information of this research.
Procedures
There are several procedures that will use in conducting this research. First, conducting a class observation. In class observation, the researcher will observe directly the situational or the conditional teaching and learning process through the using of journal method that use in learning process of writing subject. In this case, the researcher will come to the class with her notebook to jot some phenomenon that found which related to the phenomenon in using of journal. The researcher only come to the class without participate with their learning process activity of the participant. The researcher only will sit down on the back or in front of class to do this observation. After class observation, a semi structure interview will be conducted. In the interview, the students will be interviewed on how their perception about the using of journal in learning process of writing subject. Some of students will be interviewed about the same questions. After interviewing the students, the teacher also will be interviewed. The teacher will interview about their points of view to the role of the using of journal in teaching writing process in class, and the researcher also interview the other teacher who know the use of journal writing in class. And then, documentation will be conducted. The researcher will collect students’ diary that use in writing of journal. It will be as written evidence if in learning process of teaching writing use journal. And also, by collecting students’ journal as documentation, the researcher can see the student’s ability in writing when they use journal method.
Data analysis
This research will use data analysis base on the case study approach. As Gall, Borg, &Gall, (1996) reported about there are three approaches to case data analysis as follow:
a. Interpretational Analysis: when employing this strategy, the researcher is looking for patterns (threads, constructs, commonalities, etc.) within the data to explain the phenomenon.
b. Structural Analysis: investigating patterns which may be found in conversations, text, activities, etc., with little or no explication as to pattern meaning.
c. Reflective Analysis: the description and evaluation of the studied phenomenon based on judgment and intuition by a highly qualified expert.
Base on the three approach of data analysis above, the data that will be collected. The data will explain base on phenomenon that found by the researcher. The researcher will explain the students’ perception of the using journal in class, and the role of journal which can improve students’ ability in writing. The researcher also will investigate the activity when the use of journal in teaching and learning process in class that found in class observation. After that, the researcher will describe and evaluate the result of this research by related the information or the data that found by the researcher with the data that found the researcher pervious.
Validity
The validity of the research is very important. The data will be accurate through validity test. This research will use triangulation in validity test because the gathering data of this research will use multiple sources. They are observation, interviewing, and documenting. Creswell & Miller, (2000) defined triangulation is a validity procedure where researchers search for a gathering among multiple and different sources of information to form themes or categories in a study. Johson (1997) also added “engaging multiple methods, such as, observation, interviews and recordings will lead to be more valid....” This research will engage the data that get from observation, interviewing, and documenting with the phenomenon that will be founded. Thus, by using multiple sources or triangulation, it will evidence that the data that will be founded and the data that will be reported is similarity.
References
Bab III Metode Penelitian, (n.d) retrieved November 27, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?url=http://www.pps.unud.ac.id/disertasi/pdf_thesis/unud-16-230717673-bab%2520iii_desert_.pdf&rct=j&sa=U&ei=DtOyUMTaIcHHrQelxoGoDQ&ved=0CBIQFjAA&q=contoh+desain+metodologi+pada+penelitian+kualitatif&usg=AFQjCNGHqujkekEsBusG4NDq15pbWs23j
Bab III Metode Penelitian, (n.d). retrieved November 27, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?url=http://repository.upi.edu/operator/upload/d_adpen_0602450_chapter3%281%29.pdf&rct=j&sa=U&ei=1Ji0UNedIMePrgfQkYG4Bw&ved=0CBsQFjAC&q=bagaimana+cara+uji+validitas+dengan+trianggulation&usg=AFQjCNHGoMuBsUkN5hVjQw41zheqstQFIg
Baxter, J.S. (2009) Journals in the Language Classroom : Using journals in the classroom. Using_journals_in classroom. Retrieved November 17, 2012 from
, R. (2012). About journal writing in classrooms. About_journal_writing. retrieved, November 17, 2012 from http://www.ehow.com/about_4761901_journal-writing-classrooms.html#ixzz2CI8pmeCy
How to use journals in teaching methods?. How_7801945_use-journal-teaching-method. Retrieved November 17, 20112, from http://www.ehow.com/how_7801945_use-journals-teaching-methods.html
Chapter 9 Research Design: Qualitative methods, (n.d). retrieved November 27, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?url=http://www.charlesdennishale.com/books/eets_ap/9_Qualitative_Research_Designs.pdf&rct=j&sa=U&ei=jzawUIDSM42HrAfU6oHgAQ&ved=0CB4QFjAB&q=qualitative+research+design&usg=AFQjCNErT70qXbm_5Wp2Zm2XRjNc3folTQ
Faculty Development and Instructional design center, (n.d) Reflective journal and learning log. Retrieved November 23, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=how+do+student+use+journal+writing+in+class.pdf&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&ved=0CGgQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.niu.edu%2Ffacdev%2Fresources%2Fguide%2Fassessment%2Freflective_journals%2520and_learning_logs.pdf&ei=U4CrULDHMo3qrQfO1oCoDA&usg=AFQjCNHHMDfSMDJqWxkmqe-DBxF3bsmMkA
Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding reliability and validity in qualitative research . The Qualitative Report, 8(4), 597-606. Retrieved November, 27 2012 from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR8-4/golafshani.pdf
Hancock, B. (2002). Trent focus for research and development in primary health care. An introduction to qualitative research, Retrieved November, 27 2012 from
Ice, I. (2004) Teacher Education Quarterly, Using dialogue journals as a multi-purpose tool
for preservice teacher preparation:how effective is it?. 31, 25-201. retrieved November 24, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?url=http://www.teqjournal.org/Back%2520Issues/Volume%252031/VOL31%2520PDFS/31_3/lee.pmd-31_3.pdf&rct=j&sa=U&ei=qYywUJD4N5DqrQeXvYCQAg&ved=0CCQQFjAG&q=the+students%27+intererest+in+using+journal+writing&usg=AFQjCNH3qVeZdaWHMuZC6dhWh45fRbKyXQ
Journal in facing history classroom, (n.d.). Journal in facing history classroom. Introduction_Part _III. Retrieved November 23, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=how+do+student+use+journal+writing+in+class.pdf&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&ved=0CEgQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facinghistory.org%2Fsites%2Ffacinghistory.org%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2FIntroduction_Part_III.pdf&ei=U4CrULDHMo3qrQfO1oCoDA&usg=AFQjCNFYCIuJmCEvUhoJ_dUk9qX4YgHvPA
Mahani, M., Shafie, L. A., Maesin, A., Surina, N., & Nazira, O. (2011) Self-expressions, Socialization and Learning in Dialogue Journals: Features of Beginner Writers in Second Language Writing. 1(2). doi:10.5539/ijel.v1n2p155. retrieved November 23, 2012 from
Moleong, L. J. (2007). Metodologi penelitian qualitatif (revisi ed.). Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya
Moon, J. (2003) Learning journal, logs, and reflective diary. Retrieved November 23, 2012 from http://www.deakin.edu.au/itl/assets/resources/pd/tl-modules/teaching-approach/group-assignments/learning-journals.pdf
Muirhead, B. (2004). Writing advice for today’s online university students: journal writing. sep04_07 . retrieved November, 17 from http://www.itdl.org/journal/sep_04/article07.htm
How Do Personal Journals Reflect Teaching in the Classroom?. How do personal Retrieved November 17, from http://www.ehow.com/info_12037486_personal-journals-reflect-teaching-classroom.html#ixzz2CIFeX3Sh
Stevanivacova, M. (2011). Teaching writing in EFL classes and the possible use of dialogue journals. retrieved November 23, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=how+teacher+use+journal+writing+in+class.pdf&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&ved=0CE0QFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fis.muni.cz%2Fth%2F327565%2Fpedf_b%2Fbachelor_thesis.pdf&ei=zH2rUJiUC4_PrQeMkoDQAw&usg=AFQjCNGsm4Pcs1QjK4FrD42Q2qhdAkemFw
Sugiyono, S. (2008). Memahami penelitian qualitative (4th ed.). Bandung: Alvabeta
Wafa, A., Syafei, M.,Riyono, A., (2009) Keeping journal writing to improve the writing ability of the tenth grade students of SMAN 1 Jekulo Kudus in the academic year 2009/2010. Keeping_journal_writing. retrieved November 23, 2012 from http://www.google.co.id/url?url=http://eprints.umk.ac.id/157/1/KEEPING_JOURNAL_WRITING_TO_IMPROVE.pdf&rct=j&sa=U&ei=YZKwUIa2KIjwrQe_toC4Dg&ved=0CDEQFjAH&q=jurnal.+the+use+of+journal+writing+in+class&usg=AFQjCNE6jOAACCjegvWBeqGGZcc-J0mN4g
Walker, E.S. (2006). Journal Athlantic Train, Journal writing as a teaching technique to promote reflection. 41, retrieved, November 12, 2012 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1472640/
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar