ERLIK STYATI (UNIVERSITAS PGRI MADIUN)
LULUS IRAWATI (Universitas PGRI Madiun)

DEVELOPING ACADEMIC ESSAY WRITING MATERIALS BY INCORPORATING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING : MATERIALS DESIGN

The study focuses on using a research and development strategy to develop materials for academic essay writing materials. It employs a modified version of Borg and Gall's (2003) R&D research design. This research used mixed methods to investigate how academic essay writing materials were developed by incorporating experiential learning. This method combines quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques to answer the research questions. The participants were the students from a private university in Indonesia. Interviews, questionnaires, and test were used as the data collection. Quantitative analysis involves the utilization of SPSS to analyze pre-test and post-test scores. Moreover, qualitative analysis employs thematic analysis as an intense method to see recurring themes and patterns within the qualitative data. The result of the study attests the insights into the development of academic essay writing materials by incorporating experiential learning. The study supports the theory that experiential learning enhances students' understanding and retention of academic concepts. The positive feedback from students and the statistical significance of the results underline the theoretical basis that practical and real-world experiences can encourage academic writing performance. It is important to develop materials that are user-friendly, concise, and clear on academic essay writing. It shows that materials designed with clear instructions and practical relevance help students' writing skills. Teachers are encouraged to integrate everyday experience to promote active learning and practical application of theoretical concepts in writing.

Erlik Widiyani Styati is one of the lecturers of the English Education Department at Universitas PGRI Madiun. She is interested in teaching writing, TEFL, and Curriculum Development and Materials design. She is active in doing research held by LPPM Universitas PGRI Madiun and Ristekdikti. She is also interested in joining seminars and conferences.

Lulus Irawati is one of the lecturers of The English Education Department at Universitas PGRI Madiun. She is interested in Writing, Rhetoric, and Research on ELT subjects.