STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS SPARK DIGITAL PLATFORM IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING

Abstract

Digital learning has been integrated into English language learning. SPARK is a digital platform from National Geographic Learning that could enhance students’ learning activities. On that account, this study aimed to investigate students’ perceptions towards the SPARK digital platform. A qualitative approach was employed to scrutinize the perceptions of 44 students from a senior high school in Medan, North Sumatera Province, who consented to complete questionnaires and 3 students for in depth-interview. The mean age of the participants was 16 years, with 27 females and 20 males. Data were collected using a 13-item Self-Determination Theory (SDT) questionnaire and an 8-item Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. The result revealed a high level of students’ perceptions regarding the use of the SPARK digital learning platform. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the SPARK digital platform can refine the quality of the students’ learning. These research findings serve as a valuable guide for the English teachers in establishing and planning a strategy to improve the level of effective teaching learning process. This will enable the full implementation of the digital learning practice.