A Study on Students’ Learning Interest in Blended Learning Method Through Edmodo to the Students of English Department at Nusantara PGRI Kediri University Rika Riwayatiningsih Nusantara PGRI Kediri University Abstract Over the past few years, technology has grown to influence nearly every aspect of the education system.The development of Information technology has generated new environments called blended learning which combine the advantages of e- learning and traditional learning. Edmodo is one of the blended learning mediums which has been used for teaching at English Department of Nusantara PGRI Kediri University. The purpose of the present study was to examine the students’ learning styles and their views on blended learning. This study is a qualitative descriptive research which data collection was done by interviewing the lecturer, distributing questionnaires and interviewingthe students. Additional data were gathered from achievement scores of students; and records demonstrate students’ participation to–learning environment. Results revealed that students have an interest in blended learning method through Edmodo both in the individual interest and situational interest also ease of using of the web environment, evaluation, face to face environment etc., differ according to their learning styles. Results also reveal on responds to face to face aspect of the Edmodo are available for iPhone and Android, the students can know the right answer of the assignment directly, it helps the extrovert students who are not active in class become more confident, the interface looks like facebook, the students can get the information and new materials more fast. Process when students’ evaluation concerning the implementation is taken to consideration. The overall findings showed no significant differences between students’ achievement level according to their learning styles. Keywords: Learning Interest, Blended Learning, Edmodo INTRODUCTION needs, equip students with skills essential for work and life in a 21st New advances in the internet based technology have brought century global society, provide an challenges and opportunities as well to active experience for students, so they education and training, in particular can independently organize their through online instruction.The growth learning process (Listiawan, 2014). It of internet and online communication means that the whole purpose of using technology has changed the way technology in learning is to give better people work, communicate, socialize value to teachers and students. This and learn. Moeller and Reitzes better value also impacts the teachers and students performance. (2011:5-6) indicate that technology can help teachers to assess an In the other side, the change of individual student’s strengths and educational paradigm, shifting from Rika Riwayatiningsih: A Study on Students’ Learning Interest in Blended Learning Method 1 Through Edmodo to the Students of English Department at Nusantara PGRI Kediri University, April 2015 teacher centered learning into student account on social media such as centered learning, brings significant facebook, twitter and tumblr. changes to the learning methods that English is one of departments in the develop at this time. Learning process faculty of teacher training and that formerly used lecture and one way education in University of Nusantara method from the lecturer to the PGRI Kediri that has many students changes into more dynamic. students.English department of the Lecturer as subject custodian already University of Nusantara PGRI Kediri changes into facilitator in learning gives their sixth semester students IT process. Lecturer directing students for Teaching subject, it is intended that towards a high level knowledge by the students who will be English utilizing the facilities that support to teacher are able to apply and take the explore. In this case, facilities mean advantages of technological internet facility in campus that requires developments in learning, it is in line a connection to the internet (Internet with the mission of English Connectivity), web-site development, Department University of Nusantara Local Development Area Network PGRI Kediri. (LAN) and internet development. In IT for teaching subject, the University of Nusantara PGRI lecturer uses blended learning method. Kediri has also facilitated their Singh and Reed (2001:1) described students with internet connectivity or blended learning as “ a learning we called it with hotspot area, that is program where more than one delivery area where we can use free internet mode is being used with the objective connection from our devices by using of optimizing the learning outcome wifi. The availability of internet and cost of program delivery.” Finn connectvity is to facilitate the students and Bucceri as cited by Akkoyunlu take the advantages of technological and Soylu (2008:183) mentioned that development in education field, for the blended learning is the effective purpose of enabling students to easily integration of various learning browse for collage assignment. But, techniques, technologies, and delivery what is going on is not as expected. modalities to meet specific Most students used the internet facility communication, knowledge sharing for other things out of the context of and information need. According to education. They enjoy the social two definition above blended learning media, which is now probably is a type of education which combines everyone knows. various models of traditional and The students are able to spend a day in distance education and makes use of the hotspot area just to chatting and all types of technology, in other words, make new friends through social blended learning is a combination of media, and it is not just happening in conventional classroom instruction and University of Nusantara PGRI Kediri e-learning. In IT for teaching subject, but throughout the university, because lecturer blend face-to-face learning all people are familiar with social activity in class and online learning media, even now too much elementary through Edmodo. Edmodo is one of school students who already have an the online learning media that has been Rika Riwayatiningsih: A Study on Students’ Learning Interest in Blended Learning Method 2 Through Edmodo to the Students of English Department at Nusantara PGRI Kediri University, April 2015 used by teachers in many countries. covers communication weakness in Edmodo is a free and safe educational real world, for the example many website. Edmodo was created by Jeff students who are not active in face-to- O’Hara and Nick Borg in 2008 for face class because they are embarassed teachers, students, parents and school. to ask and respond to their teacher, Edmodo is available in they will be more active and confident www.edmodo.com. Edmodo website to communicate with their teacher in looks like facebook, but more private online class, so the relationship and safe because only allow teacher to between teacher and students will be created and manage account, and only good. students that has code can join the The uses of Edmodo in IT for group that their teacher created. teaching subject, at the first meeting Candelaria and Wernicke on the lecturer asked the students to create etec.clt.ubc.ca (2013) stated ”some of an account on Edmodo, after that the the functions of Edmodo can be used lecturer gave the students a code, the to enhance an already established face- code is a code to entered the group, to-face classroom such as by providing and each class has different group. The online quizzes, notes, polls, questions, lecturer used the group to share tasks and interactivities.”Witherspoon cited and materials to the students and it also on Kongchan www.pixel.com (2012) used to collected the students concludes that Edmodo can describe as assignments with deadlines that have a Learning Management System been set. The students can share (LMS) which can facilitate lecturer to content with each other, such as e- create and manage their online class book, document or image to all the easily. This website provides the group members. They can also lecturer and students connected as communicate with their lecturer virtual. For the example, lecturer can virtually to inquire material that is less send quiz and assignment, give the clear. Some students said, sometimes feedback, received assignment from Edmodo used to complete unfinished their students, give the score, make a materials in class. polling, share and save the material in According to the explanation the form file or link, send a message or about blended learning method and give and announcement to the group important feature in Edmodo to member. Students can also share the support the learning procces, the writer learning material, collect the would like to take a study about assignment, get the feedback, and there learning interest of the students in are a lot of things that students can do blended learning method through in Edmodo. Edmodo to the English Department According to Karen Wilkins on students University of Nusantara PGRI British council blog (2014) Edmodo Kediri. can help teachers to building SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM relationship with their students. That is one of the advantages of online class The use of technology in that basicly uses virtual learning has a purpose to give better communication, this communication value in students and lecturer Rika Riwayatiningsih: A Study on Students’ Learning Interest in Blended Learning Method 3 Through Edmodo