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IMPROVING STUDENTS’ WRITING SKILL THROUGH REFLECTIVE JOURNAL: A STUDY AT A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN ACEH
Corresponding Author(s) : Iskandar Abdul Samad
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020): May
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to find out whether there is any significant difference between the students who are trained through reflective journal writing and those who are not trained through reflective journal writing. It also wanted to know students’ responses toward reflective journal writing the implementation.
Methodology: The methodology of this study is an experimental research which used a quasi-experimental design. Quasi-experimental research is used to know the differences between classes that are given training and classes that are not given. The research design used in this study is the non-equivalent control group design. In this research, there were two classes taken as samples, namely experimental group and control group which consisted of 30 students of each group. The author used tests (pre-test and post-test) and questionnaire as the instruments to collect the data. The quantitative data was obtained from the result of pre-test and post-test scores of students’ writing in experimental and control groups. Then both scores were analysed through the SPSS program to calculate t-test.
Main Findings: The findings of the research showed that the mean score of post-test of the experimental group 76.73 is higher than the mean score of control class 63.10. Furthermore, the result of p-value obtained from the post-test of the experimental and control group was 0.00 is less than the level of significance degree α = 0.05. In other words, there was a significant difference between the students who were trained through reflective journal writing and those who were not trained through reflective journal writing.
Applications of this study: The implications related to this study the authors suggest to use Reflective Journal Writing Strategy to help students to be critical thinking writers and for the next researcher to use this strategy in other kinds of texts. Teachers are suggested to use this strategy to teach writing skills for other aspects of writing.
Novelty/Originality of this study: This strategy has never been used by English teachers in South Aceh and it can contribute to the teachers to use this strategy in teaching writing, especially for senior high school students. In conclusion, the use of Reflective Journal improved students’ writing skill, especially in writing recount text of senior high schools first-grade students in South Aceh.
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- Boud, D. (2001). Using journal writing to enhance reflective practice. In L. M. English & M. A. Gillen (Eds.), Promoting journal writing in adult education, (pp. 9-18). Jossey-Bass. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.16
- Colyar, J. (2009). Becoming writing, becoming writers. Qualitative Inquiry, 15(2), 421-436. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800408318280 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800408318280
- Dobrin, D. N. (1985). Is technical writing particularly objective? College English, 47(3), 237-251. https://doi.org/10.2307/376773 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/376773
- Dyment, J. E. & O’Connell, T. S. (2003). Journal writing in experiential education: Possibilities, problems, and recommendations. ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools.
- Farrah, M. (2012). Reflective journal writing as an effective technique in the writing process. An-Najah Univ. J. Res. (Humanities), 26(4), 997-1025.
- Fisher, B. T. (1996). Using journals in social psychology class: Helping students apply course concepts to life experiences. Teaching Sociology, 24, 157-165. https://doi.org/10.2307/1318806 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1318806
- Habibi, F., Ismalianing, E., & Sunardi, K. (2017). The effect of reflective journal writing on students’ writing ability of narrative text. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 115, 16-20.
- Harmer, J. (1998). How to teach English. Longman.
- Heaton, J. B. (1988). Writing English language tests Longman handbook for language teachers (New Edition). London Longman Group UK Ltd.
- Henter, R., & Simona, E. (2014). Reflective journal writing as a metacognitive skill. Proceedings of the International Conference of Scientific Paper AFASES (pp. 1-7). Brașov, Romania.
- Hill, M. (1991). Writing summaries promotes thinking and learning across the curriculum: But why are they so difficult to write? Journal of Reading, 34(7), 536-539.
- Hirvela, A., & Du, Q. (2013). “Why am I paraphrasing?â€: Undergraduate ESL writers’ engagement with source-based academic writing and reading. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 12(2), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2012.11.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2012.11.005
- Inayah, N., & Nanda, R. P. (2016). Efforts to improve the writing skills of high school students. Studies in English Language and Education, 3(1), 50-64. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v3i1.3388 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v3i1.3388
- Kenneth, G. (2012). Reflective journaling: Building bridges between theory and practice. Journal of Homeland Security Education, National University, 1(2), 63-69.
- Kirkman, J., & Turk, C. (2002). Effective writing: improving scientific, technical and business communication. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203473108 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203473108
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall.
- Labbo, L. D., Hoffman, J. V., & Roser, N. L. (1995). Ways to unintentionally make writing difficult. Language Arts, 72(3), 164-170.
- Merly, L. J., & Edgargo, P. G. (2016). The effect of reflective journal writing on a student's critical thinking and communication skill. Journal of Leadership Education, 9(1), 36-52.
- Moon, J. (1999). A handbook for academics, students and professional development. Kogan Page.
- Nik, Y. A., Hamzah, A., & Hasbollah, H. R. (2010). Why writing in ESL is difficult for undergraduates in a public university in Malaysia. Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Educational and Information Technology (pp. 1-7). Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Bachok, Kelantan. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEIT.2010.5607514 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEIT.2010.5607514
- Rawahi, N. M., & Balushi, S. M. (2015). The effect of reflective science journal writing on students’ self-regulated learning strategies. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 10(3), 367-379.
- Rodgers, C. (2002a). Defining reflection: Another look at John Dewey and reflective thinking. Columbia University Teacher College, 104(4), 842-866. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9620.00181 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9620.00181
- Rodgers, C. (2002b). Seeing student learning: Teacher change and the role of reflection. Harvard Educational Review, 72(2), 230-253. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.72.2.5631743606m15751 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.72.2.5631743606m15751
- Santangelo, T. (2014). Why is writing so difficult for students with learning disabilities? A narrative review to inform the design of effective instruction. Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal, 12(1), 5-20.
- Scanlon, J. M., & Chernomas, W. M. (1997). Developing the reflective teacher. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25(5), 1138-1143. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.19970251138.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.19970251138.x
- Sukino. (2010). Menulis itu mudah: Panduan praktis menjadi penulis handal [Writing is easy: A practical guide to becoming a reliable writer]. Pustaka Populer.
- Van Manen, M. (2006). Writing qualitatively, or the demands of writing. Qualitative health research, 16(5), 713-722. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732306286911 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732306286911
- Warnock, S. (2009). Teaching writing online: How and why. National Council of Teachers of English.
- Watson, D. (2010). Teaching teachers to think: Reflective journaling as a strategy to enhance students' understanding and practice of academic writing. Journal of College Teaching and Learning, 7(12), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v7i12.952 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v7i12.952
- Williams, K., Williams, M., & Spiro, J. (2012). Reflective journal writing. Macmillan Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-230-37724-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-230-37724-0
References
Boud, D. (2001). Using journal writing to enhance reflective practice. In L. M. English & M. A. Gillen (Eds.), Promoting journal writing in adult education, (pp. 9-18). Jossey-Bass. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.16
Colyar, J. (2009). Becoming writing, becoming writers. Qualitative Inquiry, 15(2), 421-436. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800408318280 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800408318280
Dobrin, D. N. (1985). Is technical writing particularly objective? College English, 47(3), 237-251. https://doi.org/10.2307/376773 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/376773
Dyment, J. E. & O’Connell, T. S. (2003). Journal writing in experiential education: Possibilities, problems, and recommendations. ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools.
Farrah, M. (2012). Reflective journal writing as an effective technique in the writing process. An-Najah Univ. J. Res. (Humanities), 26(4), 997-1025.
Fisher, B. T. (1996). Using journals in social psychology class: Helping students apply course concepts to life experiences. Teaching Sociology, 24, 157-165. https://doi.org/10.2307/1318806 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1318806
Habibi, F., Ismalianing, E., & Sunardi, K. (2017). The effect of reflective journal writing on students’ writing ability of narrative text. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 115, 16-20.
Harmer, J. (1998). How to teach English. Longman.
Heaton, J. B. (1988). Writing English language tests Longman handbook for language teachers (New Edition). London Longman Group UK Ltd.
Henter, R., & Simona, E. (2014). Reflective journal writing as a metacognitive skill. Proceedings of the International Conference of Scientific Paper AFASES (pp. 1-7). Brașov, Romania.
Hill, M. (1991). Writing summaries promotes thinking and learning across the curriculum: But why are they so difficult to write? Journal of Reading, 34(7), 536-539.
Hirvela, A., & Du, Q. (2013). “Why am I paraphrasing?â€: Undergraduate ESL writers’ engagement with source-based academic writing and reading. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 12(2), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2012.11.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2012.11.005
Inayah, N., & Nanda, R. P. (2016). Efforts to improve the writing skills of high school students. Studies in English Language and Education, 3(1), 50-64. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v3i1.3388 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v3i1.3388
Kenneth, G. (2012). Reflective journaling: Building bridges between theory and practice. Journal of Homeland Security Education, National University, 1(2), 63-69.
Kirkman, J., & Turk, C. (2002). Effective writing: improving scientific, technical and business communication. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203473108 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203473108
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall.
Labbo, L. D., Hoffman, J. V., & Roser, N. L. (1995). Ways to unintentionally make writing difficult. Language Arts, 72(3), 164-170.
Merly, L. J., & Edgargo, P. G. (2016). The effect of reflective journal writing on a student's critical thinking and communication skill. Journal of Leadership Education, 9(1), 36-52.
Moon, J. (1999). A handbook for academics, students and professional development. Kogan Page.
Nik, Y. A., Hamzah, A., & Hasbollah, H. R. (2010). Why writing in ESL is difficult for undergraduates in a public university in Malaysia. Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Educational and Information Technology (pp. 1-7). Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Bachok, Kelantan. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEIT.2010.5607514 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEIT.2010.5607514
Rawahi, N. M., & Balushi, S. M. (2015). The effect of reflective science journal writing on students’ self-regulated learning strategies. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 10(3), 367-379.
Rodgers, C. (2002a). Defining reflection: Another look at John Dewey and reflective thinking. Columbia University Teacher College, 104(4), 842-866. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9620.00181 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9620.00181
Rodgers, C. (2002b). Seeing student learning: Teacher change and the role of reflection. Harvard Educational Review, 72(2), 230-253. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.72.2.5631743606m15751 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.72.2.5631743606m15751
Santangelo, T. (2014). Why is writing so difficult for students with learning disabilities? A narrative review to inform the design of effective instruction. Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal, 12(1), 5-20.
Scanlon, J. M., & Chernomas, W. M. (1997). Developing the reflective teacher. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25(5), 1138-1143. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.19970251138.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.19970251138.x
Sukino. (2010). Menulis itu mudah: Panduan praktis menjadi penulis handal [Writing is easy: A practical guide to becoming a reliable writer]. Pustaka Populer.
Van Manen, M. (2006). Writing qualitatively, or the demands of writing. Qualitative health research, 16(5), 713-722. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732306286911 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732306286911
Warnock, S. (2009). Teaching writing online: How and why. National Council of Teachers of English.
Watson, D. (2010). Teaching teachers to think: Reflective journaling as a strategy to enhance students' understanding and practice of academic writing. Journal of College Teaching and Learning, 7(12), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v7i12.952 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v7i12.952
Williams, K., Williams, M., & Spiro, J. (2012). Reflective journal writing. Macmillan Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-230-37724-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-230-37724-0