Improving the quality of english teaching through constructivist learning designud(A Classroom Action Research in SMK Gamaliel 1 Madiun)

摘要

ARRI KURNIAWAN. Improving the Quality of English Teaching throughudConstructivist Learning Design: A Collaborative Action Research in SMK Gamaliel IudMadiun. Thesis. Surakarta. English Education Department, Graduate School, SebelasudMaret University, 2008.udThe objective of this research is to examine whether or not CLD can improveudthe quality of English teaching. Besides, this research is designed to study theudeffectiveness of constructivist learning design to improve the quality of Englishudteaching and learning, and the consequences when constructivist learning design isudapplied.udThe research was carried out at SMK Gamaliel I Madiun, East Java, fromudJanuary to July 2008 (employing collaborative action research). The subject of theudresearch is a teacher who teaches at 2 MA of SMK Gamaliel I Madiun. The data wereudobtained from several techniques including test, collaborative observations, interview,udquestionnaires, and document analysis. To analyze the quantitative data, the researcherudapplied descriptive statistics, comprising the following dimensions: highest and theudlowest scores, and means. To analyze the qualitative data, the researcher appliedudconstant comparative method as suggested by Glasser.udThe findings reveal that the application of CLD in improving the quality ofudEnglish teaching is successful viewed from some dimensions: First, the improvement ofudstudents’ motivation and participation increases. Second, the application of CLDudimproves the teacher’s professional competence. Third, CLD establishes students’udthinking skills. CLD improves social communication among students and teacher andudfifth, it improves students’ English competence.udThe research findings of this study imply that CLD is very important inudimproving the quality of English teaching. Therefore, it is recommended that: first, theudteacher should understand the curriculum by making good preparation of the lesson,udmaterial preparation, suitable method, suitable evaluation, and a conducive learningudenvironment. Second, the institution should send the teachers to join in workshop,udseminar, and training to upgrade the teachers’ competence. The discussion of newudcurriculum and its implementation should be maximized in order the understanding ofudcurriculum will be increased. Third, the recommendation is for the students. Theudstudents should have motivation to study English. The ability of English competence isuda must in globalization era. If they do not provide themselves with English competence,udthey will be left behind and get difficulty to compete in hard competition. Fourth, theudnext recommendation is for other researchers who want to apply CLD in otherudclassrooms. Changing the traditional classroom into constructivist classroom will notudhappen overnight. It is a progressive process that requires doing and reflecting, moreuddoing and reflecting, and then more doing and reflecting