IMPROVING STUDENT'S WRITING SKILL BY USING MIND MAPPING TECHNIQUE

Improving Student’s Writing Skill by Using Mind Mapping Technique

By: Putri Aries Safitri

Introduction

A mind mapping is a diagram used to visually outline information. A mind mapping is often created around a single word or text, placed in the center, to which associated ideas, words and concepts are added. Major categories radiate from a central node, and lesser categories are sub-branches of larger branches, John W. Budd (2004: 35). Categories can represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items related to a central key word or idea. Mind maps can be drawn by hand, either as "rough notes" during a lecture or meeting, for example, or as higher quality pictures when more time is available.

Today, students in Indonesia have serious problems in the English teaching learning process. First, the students can't understand what the teacher explain at the English lesson, especially in writing. They don't understand how to determine the topics and themes that fit in the article. Second, they could not decide and they're still confused to classifying subtopics into topics that appropriate with the theme in English articles that they would to write, because they can’t to organize or classify subtopics according to the topic and theme at article in English. This is of course due to their lack of understanding in the English language especially in the planning to draft the article. In this article I will share about teaching learning technique by using maid mapping in order to improving student’s writing skill.

A.      Definition of Mind Mapping

Nesbit and Adesope (2006) defined a concept map as “a type of graphic organizer that is distinguished by the use of labeled nodes denoting concepts and links denoting relationships among concepts” (p. 415). Typically, when used in an instructional setting, students who complete a concept map place concepts or ideas in ovals (or any shape), organize the ovals in some type of logical manner that shows the relationship among them (which may or may not be hierarchical), and connect the concepts to one another with lines that might or might not be labeled (Novak & Gowin, 1984). A mind mapping is a diagram used to visually line information. A mind mapping is often created around a single word or text, placed in the middle, which related ideas, words and concepts are added around the perimeter of the circle in the form as 'bubbles' or etc.

B.       Technique Mind Mapping Applied in Writing

Teaching mind mapping in writing there are some step, will be explain bellow;

1.    Pre Activities

The pre activities by using “Mind Mapping” technique that doing by teacher are explained below, that are:

a.    Give the students greeting.

b.    Ask one of the students to lead the prayer before the teaching learning process and pray together at first.

c.    Before starting the lesson, tell students what will be learned for today. Tell the rules of the game to students about teaching learning that day and ask to the students to comply with existing regulations.

d.   Start the teaching learning process with your students in the classroom.

2.    Whilst Activities

The steps of teaching procedures by using “Mind Mapping” technique for teacher will be explained below. The main activities in this methods that are: steps of teaching procedures by using “Mind Mapping” technique for teacher will be explains bellow. The main activities in this methods that are:

a.    Start to determine the theme of the article that to be given to the students.

b.    By using the theme before, the students determine their own topic that they would like to write it into an article.

c.    Give an overview or explanation of the theme that have determined which the form of words or concepts that relate to the theme.

d.   Give an example or explanation of mind mapping and give examples of mind mapping application in writing which related with the theme.

3.    Post Activities

Once the step of teaching procedures by using “Mind Mapping” technique is completed, the teacher must do the following act, that are:

a.    Give conclusion and review to the students about the teaching learning process for that day.

b.    Give your students the suggestion and motivation for improve their writing skill by give examples real act or events.

c.    Don’t forget to give your students a task to make an article based on “Mind Mapping” technique that learning today.

d.   At the end of the meeting ask them, whether they liked the teaching learning process by using “Mind Mapping” technique or not. It’s also be used for the analysis of the success rate from this technique in the class.

e.    In the last, give greeting and ask to all the students to say “Hamdallah” together.

That are the all step by using mind mapping applied in writing.

C.      The Purpose and Benefit by Using Mind Mapping in Writing

The purpose maid mapping in writing that are: first, helps in organizing thoughts, planning for projects, papers in order to help student making of topic and subtopic in the writing of an article. Second, provides the links and connections between ideas to make better sense of information. Third, focuses on using the cortical skills that attract your brain’s attention. The last is allows for freedom of thought and creativity in thinking and writing.

Teaching by using mind mapping technique are given some benefit for students. The benefit by using mind mapping technique in writing for students, that are: first, inspires students, making them more receptive to learning writing, especially they are can easily organize topic and subtopic into an article. Second, by using mind mapping, students are can differentiate and show the relationships between facts and opinion. The last is makes lessons more creative and enjoyable for teacher and students. That are the benefit and purpose by using mind mapping in teaching writing for students.

Conclusion

Nowadays, students in Indonesia have serious problems in the English teaching learning process, especially at writing lesson. Problems in teaching writing difficulties suffered by the students in writing can be resolved by using teaching methods "Mind Mapping" technique. Teaching by using mind mapping technique are given some benefit for students. That are: first, inspires students, making them more receptive to learning writing, especially they are can easily organize topic and subtopic into an article. Second, by using mind mapping, students are can differentiate and show the relationships between facts and opinion. The last is, makes lessons more creative and enjoyable for teacher and students. From the explanations above, it’s can conclude that, teaching writing by using mind mapping for students is effective for improving student’s writing skill.