Visual aid presentation as a learning method: a case study in learning English of management students in Binus University

Abstract

Schools, colleges and universities are now embracing the use of visual aid presentation (e.g., PowerPoint) in the classroom. Studies have consistently indicated that students generally believed that the use of technology for oral presentation would facilitate their learning. Students in such condition believed that the class was more organized, clear and interesting. Students also liked the teacher/lecturer more and indicated that they would like to take another class from the teacher/lecturer when the he or she used technology means of presentation. This research was focusing on the perspective of students in Binus University regarding the advantages or disadvantages of this model of learning process in regard of interesting or boring and long or short endurance of understanding. The visual aid presentation here meant that the students were the ones who were performing the presentation, instead of the teacher/lecturer. The research method used was descriptive qualitative based on the survey and interview of some sample students who were chosen randomly, who were taking English course in first/second semester.Based on some researches, the visual aid presentation in learning process was showing positive impact for teachers and students. Therefore, the hypothesis on this research was that the visual aid presentation on learning process would bring an interesting environment, long endurance of understanding and improving students’ behavior. It was expected that the result of this research could be used to improve the learning method of English learning in Binus University in order to support Binus Vision to be a global university and to enrich graduates with the skill of oral presentation.The respondents were selected from management students in Binus, Alam Sutera Campus, and randomly chosen. All of the respondents replied that learning by doing presentations was giving more understanding on topics, boosting up self-confident, teaching public speaking, handling nervous and creating a dynamic class environment to avoid boredom. From the students’ point of view, this learning method was giving advantage for students and long endurance of understanding.