IMPROVING THE STUDENTS’ WRITING ABILITY BYudUSING PEER EXCHANGEud(A Classroom Action Research at the Third Semester of English DepartmentudStudents of IKIP PGRI Madiun in the Academic Year of 2010/2011)

摘要

Preliminary observation showed that the 3rd semester students of EnglishudEducation Department of IKIP PGRI Madiun had difficulties in writing essays.udThis study is aimed at: (1) revealing whether and to what extent peer exchangeudtechnique is able to improve students’ writing ability of the 3rd semester EnglishudEducation Department students of IKIP PGRI Madiun in the academic year ofud2010/2011 and (2) finding the class condition when peer exchange is applied toudteach writing.udThis Classroom Action Research took place in English EducationudDepartment of IKIP PGRI Madiun involving the 3rd semester students of class F.udThe research was conducted in two cycles each of which consisted of fourudmeetings and one post test. This research applied qualitative and quantitativeudtechnique. The qualitative data were obtained by conducting the interview withudthe students, the questionnaire, observation, and the document analysis while theudquantitative data were collected by using pretest and posttests to the students. Theudqualitative data were analyzed by Constant Comparative Method (CCM) whileudquantitave data were analyzed by descriptive statistics.udThe implementation found out that after the activity on Cycle 1 and Cycle 2,udthere was improvement on students’ writing ability and on the class condition.udPreviously, the students’ writing problems were indicated in: (1) unorganizedudideas; (2) inconsistent content; (3) incorrect grammar; (4) improper mechanics;udand (5) limited vocabulary. The improvement on students’ writing ability meansudthat they learnt and had better skill in those components. In addition, it was seenudthat the mean score of pretest, 52.3 increased to 66.3 in test in Cycle I and finallyudreached 77.6 in posttest. Meanwhile, the significant impact of peer exchange toudthe class condition means that: (1) the students were motivated not only to listenudand write but also to help each other by giving their opinion to the peer’s work;ud(2) they were more spirited and confident in presenting their comments; and (3)udthey knew, enjoyed, and became more open in sharing feedback between peer.udFinally, it is concluded that the implementation of peer exchange canudimprove the students’ writing ability and the class condition. Furthermore, it isudhoped that this study will be useful for students, teacher, or other researchers toudexperience the activity or explore the technique and implementation deeper.udKeywords: teaching writing, peer exchange, feedback, Classroom ActionudResearch