Creative Teaching Strategies and Student Engagement in a Rural Indonesian EFL Classroom: A Case Study from Sumbawa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57176/jn.v5i1.187Keywords:
creative teaching strategies, efl classroom, rural context, student engagamentAbstract
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji strategi pengajaran kreatif yang diterapkan oleh guru bahasa Inggris dan dampaknya terhadap keterlibatan siswa di SMP Negeri 2 Utan, Kabupaten Sumbawa. Fokus utama adalah untuk mengidentifikasi bagaimana berbagai strategi seperti pujian, permainan edukatif, aktivitas awal pembelajaran, penggunaan musik, dan tugas kelompok mempengaruhi keterlibatan siswa dalam tiga dimensi: afektif, kognitif, dan perilaku. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desainstudi kasus. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi kelas, wawancara mendalam dengan guru dan siswa, serta kuesioner terbuka. Teknik triangulasi digunakan untuk memastikan validitas data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa strategi pengajaran kreatif guru berdampak positif terhadap keterlibatan siswa. Pujian membangun kepercayaan diri siswa, permainan edukatif dan musik menciptakan suasana belajar yang menyenangkan, dan tugas kelompok meningkatkan kolaborasi. Keterlibatan afektif siswa tercermin dari antusiasme dan rasa senang saat belajar, keterlibatan kognitif tampak dari peningkatan pemahaman melalui interaksi dan diskusi, sedangkan keterlibatan perilaku ditunjukkan melalui keaktifan siswa dalam menjawab dan berpartisipasi dalam kegiatan kelas. Namun demikian, ditemukan pula hambatan eksternal, terutama kondisi sosial ekonomi siswa yang mengharuskan mereka membantu orang tua bekerja, sehingga mengganggu kehadiran dan konsistensi keterlibatan belajar. Penelitian ini menekankan pentingnya strategi pengajaran yang kontekstual dan dukungan lingkungan belajar yang holistik, termasuk keterlibatan orang tua.
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This study aims to examine the creative teaching strategies implemented by English teachers and their impact on student engagement at SMP Negeri 2 Utan, Sumbawa Regency. The main focus of this study is to identify how various strategies, such as praise, educational games, pre-learning activities, the use of music, and group assignments, affect student engagement in three dimensions: affective, cognitive, and behavioral. This study used a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through classroom observations, in-depth interviews with teachers and students, and open-ended questionnaires. Triangulation techniques were used to ensure data validity. The results showed that teachers' creative teaching strategies had a positive impact on student engagement. Praise built students' self-confidence, educational games and music create a pleasant learning atmosphere, and group assignments enhance collaboration. Students' affective engagement is reflected in enthusiasm and enjoyment while learning, cognitive engagement is seen in increased understanding through interaction and discussion, while behavioral engagement is demonstrated through students' activeness in answering and participating in class activities. However, external obstacles were also found, particularly students' socioeconomic conditions that require them to help their parents work, thus disrupting attendance and consistent learning engagement. This research emphasizes the importance of contextual teaching strategies and holistic learning environment support, including parental involvement.
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