A.
Background
There are people who argue against the significance of
studying grammar for native English speakers given that students are deemed to
be familiar with the conventions of this language. However, an intensive
knowledge of English grammar has many general benefits. One of these is in
taking entrance examinations for university. It is no secret that English
grammar is a part of each major college entrance examination set. Below are
some of the advantages of studying English grammar in depth:
1.
Students learning English grammar are better able to
understand how the combination of words can create intricate meanings and how
these can create subtle literary effects. As a result, students will likely
appreciate literature better and they will pay more attention to the text.
2. Sound knowledge of
grammar influences students to be analytical and receptive readers.
3.
Being able to comprehend English grammar's intricacies
enhances students' writing and text interpretation capabilities.
4.
In addition to writing, a sound knowledge of grammar also
allows for better skills at speaking. As a result, people who are able to
articulate their words well sound more trustworthy, mature and professional.
Grammar is important because it is the language that makes
it possible for us to talk about language. Grammar names the types of words and
word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in any language. As
human beings, we can put sentences together even as children--we can all do
grammar. But to be able to talk about how sentences are built, about the types
of words and word groups that make up sentences--that is knowing about grammar.
And knowing about grammar offers a window into the human mind and into our
amazingly complex mental capacity.
People associate grammar with errors and correctness. But
knowing about grammar also helps us understand what makes sentences and
paragraphs clear and interesting and precise. Grammar can be part of literature
discussions, when we and our students closely read the sentences in poetry and
stories. And knowing about grammar means finding out that all languages and all
dialects follow grammatical patterns.
Learning grammar is extremely important, but in reality many
students assume that the grammar is difficult and tedious. This is what makes
the students lazy to learn grammar. to make students interested in learning the
grammar, the teacher must find a strategy or instructional media in order to
attract students eager to learn. One of the media can be used in learning is their
Smartphone. In 2014, most of all the students are using Smartphone such as
iPhone and Android. There are thousands of applications in their Smartphone
that can help them learn English, especially grammar, one of them is 'Grammar
Fun!!". This application is free and can be downloaded in the App Store
for iPhone and on the Google Play Store for Android.
B.
Description
of the Software
This
software was developed by Mathtoons Media Inc.. Mathtoons Media Inc. initially
the company who deals with applications in mathematics, but look at the number
of students who are lazy to learn grammar, they finally release all
applications that focus on English grammar as English Verbs, Idioms Grammar
Stories and Fun!!. Grammar Fun!! can be downloaded for free with a size of 32
MB and can be installed on iPhone and Android. The way to download it is very
easy, just open the Play Store, App Store or Mobogenie then search Grammar
fun!! , And you will get the software. Whether you are preparing for English
exams, TOEFL, SAT, ACT or just looking to upgrade your skills with written and
spoken English, this app provides a SUPER FUN way to try hilarious exercises
that challenge your grammar knowledge!!
Created by teachers and tested by
students, this game includes:
* Tons of humors
* Awesome game play
* Animation and amazing art
* Study for TOEFL and ESL
Practice your skills in areas such
as:
* Adjectives
* Adverbs
* Misplaced modifiers
* Intensifiers and other qualifiers.
There is no tutorial for this software.
This software is so simple and easy to use, so you can explore it by yourself.
This is offline software.
C. The Strength of the Software
Everything definitely like a coin which has two sides included
this software. The good sides (strength) of this software are as follows:
a. The
layout is very attractive.
b. Easy
used without internet connection (offline software)
c. Every
section has different difficulties level.
d. Suitable
for beginner, intermediate and Advanced
e. This software can be downloaded in
Smartphone and it’s FREE.
f. There is an explanation before start to
play.
g. There is a Hint when our answer is wrong.
D. The Weaknesses of the Software
a. This
Software available just in iPhone and Android.
b. When
we open this software, there is a trouble like “can’t open video”
E. The Process of Using the Software
for Learning and Teaching Activities
#note
(before strating the class) :
Before we use this software at the
class, we must count the number of the students who have Android or
iPhone. After that ask the students to
download the software.
This software can be applied in
learning process especially in learning English process and how to use this
software in learning and teaching activities, there are some steps that we can
do such as:
Pre Activities:
a.
Greet the students and asking
their readiness and praying together. .
b.
Check the attendance of the
students.
c.
Ask them about the last week’s
lesson and tell to them about our goal for this meeting.
Core Activities
a.
The teacher explains about
Grammar material that wants to learn. For example about “Qualifier”.
b.
The teacher gives some example
about “Qualifier” in order the students can be easy to understand.
c.
ask the students to make some
example to check their understanding then pairing them with their desk mate.
d.
After that, the teacher asks the
students operate the software. Then ask the students to play that software. 1st
student tries to answer every level and the 2nd student writes down
the 1st students’s score. After that, 2nd student answers and
the 1st student writes the 2nd students score.
e.
Then the teacher gives positive
feedback and reinforcement in form orally, written, or sign language concerning
of the students success.
f.
The teacher gives motivation to
low students or the students who is difficult to understand the materials.
g.
The teacher gives opportunity to
students who want to ask.
Post Activities
a.
The students and the teacher
doing reflection about the materials.
b.
The teacher give the students
homework about the material that they get in this meeting.
F. Conclusion and Recommendation
1.
Conclusion
Based on the explanation above it
can be conclude that : Grammar Fun!! is one of the software or application in
smartphone that is interesting and attractive for students that cannot make students bored in learning
English. Then, the software is easy to use, downloaded and installed in our
phones. However, this software has the weakness such as only available in
iPhone and Android device.
2.
Recommendation
Sometimes in learning process,
teacher often experience a problem in teaching material or when to operate the
software, and to overcome that a teacher must be creative to find new strategy
or media that can attract students to learn English. The writer recommend to
all teacher to open their mind about technology and more flexible with the
technology because the students do not need smart teacher but Creative and Up
to date Teacher.
In addition, this software is also having some
weaknesses; one of them just available in iPhone and Android Device. To
overcome this weakness, the teacher might divide the students into group (if
there is only 2-5 students have android or iPhone) or the teacher use LCD and
connect the device to the LCD.
Thank You :)
Mads
Thank You :)
Mads
