Tyas, Rofaningsih Rahmaning. 2011. “Improving Elementary Student’s

Vocabulary Skill Through Digital Game: Planet English Sample” Conceptual

Article. Cirebon. Muhammadiyah University.

ABSTRACT

Elementary students usually feel bored in vocabulary lesson because the

way teaching of the teacher make the students fade up and can not interesting the

student. It make students are indolent to memorize vocabulary. As a teacher we

must choose the best of method that make the students excited and enjoy that is

through digital game in class activities.

In relation to language teaching and learning we understand games as

conceptual models (or “doctrines”, Gee 2005) that work across formal and

informal contexts of learning. In language teaching games have often been used to

stimulate motivation and authentic communicative practices, as games have been

conceptualised as the “the fun factor” of language learning (Warschauer and

Healey 1998, 60).Researchers have indicated that game-based learning could be

the best way to trigger students’ learning motivation (Provost, 1990; Papastergiou,

2009a; Dickey, 2010; Huang, 2010; Tüzün, Yılmaz-Soylu, Karakuş, İnal, &

Kızılkaya, 2009). Several previous studies have demonstrated the ease of use and

usefulness features of computer games by applying the game-based learning

approach to a variety of learning activities (Bourgonjon, Valcke, Soetaert, &

Schellens, 2010; Warren, Dondlinger, & Barab, 2008). For example, Terrell and

Rendulic (1996) stated that using computer games for learning in elementary

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schools can increase the internal motivations and learning achievements of

students.

This article focus on one aspect of learning vocabulary, that is, improving

student’s vocabulary skill through digital game to become more active and

effective. It is took from some theories of learning vocabulary, especially for

elemantary students. And here is explained too a vocabulary game sample that

interesting and appropriate with elementary students.

Key Word: Learning Vocabulary, Vocabulary, Game, Digital Game and Student

Elementary

INTRODUCTION

Education in indonesia is still not efective, especially learning vocabulary.

Most of the students are difficult to remember vocabulary and do not use the

vocabulary in daily activities because they just use the vocabulary during

classsroom lesson. It makes students are indolent to memorize vocabulary.

Sometimes the way teaching of the teacher make the students fade up and can not

interesting the student. As a teacher we must choose the best of method that make

the students fun and enjoy that is through digital game in class activities.

In language teaching games have often been used to stimulate motivation

and authentic communicative practices, as games have been conceptualised as the

“the fun factor” of language learning (Warschauer and Healey 1998, 60).Learners

of English have to deal with unfamiliar vocabulary during their language

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acquisition. In order to learn and retain new words, learners should participate in

different task-based activities in their classroom whether it is a guessing task, a

describing exercise or conversation making. games have been shown to have

advantages and effectiveness in learning vocabulary in various ways. First, games

bring in relaxation and fun for students, thus help them learn and retain new

words more easily. Second, games usually involve friendly competition and they

keep learners interested. These create the motivation for learners of English to get

involved and participate actively in the learning activities. Third, vocabulary

games bring real world context into the classroom, and enhance students' use of

English in a flexible, communicative way.

(www.asian-efl-journal.com/dec_03_sub.Vn.php)

Utileze of digital game in school particularly in vocabulary learning need

facility like the computer/laptop in class (one children one computer). That is

make game still rare in school. because school must prepare the facilities in every

class and that is very expensive for prepare all the facilities or every students must

prepare and have laptop, whereas not all students have laptop. Some teacher still

do not undersatand about the game and occasionally they can not operate the

computer especially senior teacher. Less time also causes the problem, because

digital game activity need extra time. Lot of the game make teacher confuse to

choose the best game appropriate with vocabulary lesson or appropriate with the

materi and sometimes some of game need connect to internet. So, digital game

just use in certain school which have completed facility and some schoolstill use

traditional game like card game.

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This article focus on one aspect of learning vocabulary, that is, improving

student’s vocabulary skill through digital game to become more active and

effective. It is took from some theories of learning vocabulary, especially for

elemantary students. And here is explained too a vocabulary game sample which

interesting and appropriate with elementary students and easy to play by them

with colorful picture and spelling that make them enjoy and fun to play it.

BODY OF THE TEXT

A. Learning Vocabulary

 Learning vocabulary is learn all about the words. Within learn vocabulary,

we have memorize all the words, so that we can know and use all the words in our

daily activities, like reading, writing, listening and speaking.

There are some experts who give definition of vocabulary, Evelyn Hatch

and Cheryl Brown (1995:1) define vocabulary as a list or set of words for a

particular language or a list or set of word that individual speaker of language

might use.Furthermore Webster Dictionary (1935:1073) noted that, vocabulary is

“A list or collection of words usually alphabetically arranged and explained or

lexicon, stock of words use in language or by class, individual, etc”. While

according to Roget (1980:1036), Vocabulary is:

- An  alphabetical  list  of  words  often  defined  or  translated,  the  vocabulary

includes idioms and two words verb.

- All the word of Language.

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- Specialized expression indigenous to a particular fields, subject, trade or

subculture.

“Vocabulary can be defined, roughly, as the words we teach in the foreign

language. However, a new item of vocabulary may be more than just a single

word: for exmple, post office, and mother-in-law,which are made up of two or

three words but express a single idea. A useful convention is to cover all such

cases by talking about vocabulary ,,items“ rather than,,words”. (Ur, 2003, p 60)

According to Coady and Huckin, “the vocabulary is central to language and

critical importance to the typical language learner” (Coady and Huckin, 1997:5).

It means that the learner should master the vocabulary so that they can learn or

understand the language.

Students’ ability to learn and use vocabulary effectively dominates

language instruction. For many public school students, especially, those with

language and learning disabilities, the ability to remember vocabulary words

and use them in context presents a very difficult task (Donaldson & Nash, 2005;

Hardman, Drew, Egan & Wolf, 2005)

Learning vocabulary is a very important part of learning a language.

Because, if we learn vocabulary we can know more words, and than, you will be

able to understand what you hear and read; and the better you will be able to say

what you want to when speaking or writing.

B. Learning Vocabulary to Elementary Student

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Learning vocabulary have be taught in the beginning, especially in

Elementary schools. Because, vocabulary is a basic lesson of English learning and

children can get and memorise all the words easly than adult.

Vocabulary should be mastered by the students so that they will be easy to

understand the language. The way to make them easy in learning vocabulary is by

giving a good method in teaching. The teacher should have a creative way in

giving the materials to the students, one of the ways is by doing some fun

activities. “Children play and children want to play. Children learn through

playing. In playing together, children interact and in interacting they develop

language” (Brumfit, 1995:142). Similarly, Virginia in her book Techniques in

Teaching Vocabulary said that “there is truth in the belief that experience is the

best vocabulary teacher “(Virginia, 4).

According to Harmer, “At the same time children’s span of attention or

concentration is less than adults. Children need frequent changes of activity: They

need activities which are exciting and stimulate their curiosity: They need to be

involved in something active (They will usually not sit and listen)” (Harmer,

1991:7)

As stated by Harmer “at beginner and elementary levels it certainly seems a

good idea to provide sets of vocabulary which students can learn” (Harmer,

1991:159). Based on statement above, we can conclude that teaching more

vocabulary to young learners is a good way. In their ages, they will be able to

master foreign language if there is a good method in teaching them.

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Halliwell states that:

1. Young children are already very good at interpreting meaning without

necessarily understanding the individual words

2. Already have great skill in using limited language creatively

3. Frequently learn in directly rather than directly

4. Take great pleasure in creating fun in what they do

5. Their imagination is ready

6. “above all take great delight int alking”. (Halliwell,1992,p3)

In summary, children (elmemtary sudents) is the best grade to learn

vocabulary because their brain able to catch and memorize all the words easily.

And the teacher must choose best methood that effective can make children fun

and enjoyable within learning of vocabulary.

C. Improving Elementary Student’s Vocabulary Through Digital

Game

Some students have a low interest in learning vocabulary words. This makes

them have less confidence in learning English well. This will even make them

gradually give up studying English. How to make younger students no longer feel

it is boring to learn vocabulary words is really worth discussing from the

classroom teacher‟s point of view. Millis (as cited in Jacob, E., Rottenberg L.,

Patrick S. &Wheeler E., 1996) thinks good communication and cooperation

between teachers and students is beneficial for teaching primary students

vocabulary words (p. 260).

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Sometimes, some of teachers still use classic method in teaching of vocabulary. It

make some students does not have disere and spirit to learn vocabulary. Education

must be progressive and not passive especially in learning English, so that,

learning process appropriete with condition of students nowdays.

Games may provide the opportunity for going beyond ‘manipulative’

approaches (Dunkel 1991) as games are not necessarily about memorizing or

providing correct answers, but rather about the performance of skills within a

specific system of thinking and acting. As argued by Kossuth (in Underwood

1987) in games “the user does not think about the language in use, but only about

the action and where it might lead next” (217). In this sense games may be a lever

for the transformation of drill-based to context-based acquisition. In addition to

this, performance may be increased by game-based activity, as learners may

“voluntarily read more than they would if assigned a linear text, and their

comprehension can be expected to increase with each repetition”

Freiermuth (2002) has stated that games are learner-centred since they give

students the opportunity to resolve problems without the intervention of a teacher.

Schwienhorst (2002) has noted that games provide realistic sociocultural context

for language learning. Purushotma (2005) has suggested that games can be so

highly motivating that they can even cause addictive behaviour. These advantages

of games can help teachers create a willing, ready to learn, active and energetic

atmosphere in their classes.

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Yip and Kwan (2006) showed that students preferred learning that is

supported by digital educational games rather than traditional activity based

lessons. According to their study, students who were provided with an electronic

environment and games became more successful in learning new words compared

to those who learned the same vocabulary through activity based lessons.

Therefore, teachers or parties that complain about the insufficiency of the current

methodology and strategies necessitated by language teaching programs might be

willing to set up or try new techniques where games could play a major role.

As a teacher we must choose the best mothod and strategies for elementary

students especially in the modern and technology age. And in my opinion, the best

method to learning of vocabulary for elementary students is through digital game.

Because, by digital game we can play the game while learn all about the

vocabulary. That is make student more master the vocabulary and easier to

memorize some vocabularies from the game. Usually, students will not easy get

lose their memory because they do something which their like.

D. Digital Game for Vocabulary Learning to Elementary Student

There are many kinds of game for vocabulary learning, like jigsaw, scrabble,

crossword, etc. For example, I choose one of digital game sample, that is planet

english. Planet english is the game for vocabulary lesson with colorful picture and

spelling the words. It is simple game for elementary students and to improve

vocabulary skills of them. The content of game consist of some picture and the

correct answer with spelling of words. The way to play it, namely matching the

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picture with the correct word. Below is visualization steps and the way to playing

planet english game.

1. Open Planet english game, and then will appear the box below. Use keyboard

to move the small green character (Lumpy). Use the keys UP, DOWN, LEFT

and RIGHT (only). After that, put Lumpy on the play bottom.

2. Choose a theme. This game consist of some themes, for example we choose

animal theme. Then move the lumpy on the animal bottom.

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Picture 1

Picture 2

3. Choose label on the right and match it with the correct drawing on the left.

4. If the answer is corret, will get score. And then we can continue the other.

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Picture 5

Picture 3

Picture 4

5. If we have done all, we can move next level by put Lumpy on the flag

bottom.

5. But, if the answer is wrong, we will lose and then we can try again and

choose the other themes.

So, the plenet english is simple game and quite easy for elementary students.

With this game process learning of vocabulary easier and more affective. It is

make students feel enjoyable and they easy to memorize the vocabulary. Because,

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Picture6

Picture 7

they know the word with the real thing of that word. Beside that, they know how

to spell that word because in this game include spelling the words. And they feel

challange to guess the other words.

CONCLUSION

A. Summary

Learning vocabulary through digital game is the learning solution for the

elementary students. Through digital game, make the students have desire to learn

vocabulary. Beside interesting, digital game make the students learning while

playing, because children’s span of attention or concentration is less than adults,

they need activities of learning which enjoyable, that is use Digital game. One of

digital game sample is the planet english. Planet English is easy and simple to

playing with elementary students. There are any some picture and correct answer

with spelling words that make student more understand and easy to learn the

vocabularies. So, in my opinion, nowdays learning based computer softwere like

digital game is appropriate choice for elemantry students to learning vocabulary,

so that the students is excited with vocabulary lesson.

B. Suggestion

Learning vocabulary through digital game is hoped can make elementary

students have desire to learn vocabulary and give challange to teacher able to use

and teach how learn vocabulary through digital game. To implement this method,

we must prepare all facilities, like computer/laptop each students in class that is

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prepared by school or each students self, or we can use one computer and

projector in class, it can economize the cost for facilities. Beside that, the teacher

must choose and prepare the best vocabulary game which appropriate with grade

and students ability and can organize the time for the activities in other that

process vocabulary learning run efficient and effectively.

REFERENCES

http://05128800.blogspot.com/2011/06/definition-of-vocabulary.html, accessed

on October 22, 2011

http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/dec_03_sub.Vn.php, accessed on October 11,

2011

Chengqian, Wang. 2009. Methods For Teaching Primary Students Efl

Vocabulary’ Seminar Paper. Platteville. University of Wisconsin-

Platteville

Diana, Nova Pravita Rus. 2010. The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using

Games In Teaching Vocabulary To The Third Graders Of Top School

Elementary School’ Final Project. Surabaya. Sebelas Maret University.

http://www.digra.org/dl/db/07312.23426.pdf, accessed on October 11, 2011

http://esl.fis.edu/learners/advice/vocab.htm, accessed on October 22, 2011

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Lindsey-Glenn, P. F., & Gentry, J. E. 2008. Improving Vocabulary Skills Through

Assitive Technology: Rick’s Story. TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus,

5(2) Article 1. Retrieved [date] From

http://escholarship.bc.edu/education /tecplus/vol5/iss2/art1

Pribilova, Lenka. 2006. Teaching vocabulary to young learners’ Bachelor work.

Masaryk University.

www.ToLearnEnglish.com, accessed on 12 November, 2011

UZUN, Levent. 2009. An Evaluative Checklist For Computer Games Used For

Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning And Practice: Vocaword Sample.

Turkey: Novitas-ROYAL, Vol.: 3(1), 45-59.

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APPENDIX

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. How to overcome if the school do not have facilitate to support learning

vocabulary through digital game?

(Ade Irah. E)

Answer:

The way to overcome the school that do not have facilitate to support learning

vocabulary through digital game that is choosing and using different game

which appropiate with condition and facilitate of the school, but still make

students interesting and enjoyable in learning vocabulary. Examples: card,

jigsaw, scrabble, crossword.

2. How to prevent the students that addicted of education digital game?

(Kori Indriyani)

Answer:

The way to prevent the students that addicted of education digital game is

parents and teacher consideration to always watch out all the activites of

children especially when they play education digital game and give rule for

their children in order that they do not adddict with digital game. Like when

they are able to play the game, when they must to stop play the game, when

they must study and when they must pray, ect.

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