Introduction
Communication skills are essential for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to express themselves and interact with others. However, teaching communication skills to students with ASD can be challenging, as they may have difficulties with language, social cues, and attention.
One possible way to overcome these challenges is to use project-based learning material provided with shape poem technique. This is the main idea of a research paper by Ida Ayu Fortuna Ningrum, a master’s student from Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha in Indonesia.
What is a shape poem?
A shape poem is a type of poem that has a visual form that matches its content. For example, a poem about a star can be written in the shape of a star. A shape poem can help students with ASD to associate words with images, and to express their feelings and thoughts creatively.
How to use shape poems to teach communication skills?
The research paper describes a study that aimed to develop project-based learning material provided with shape poem technique in teaching communication skills for students with ASD. The study followed a research and development (RnD) design with ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model by Richey and Klein (2007).
The study involved six students with ASD from a special education school in Bali, Indonesia. The students were aged between 10 and 12 years old, and had different levels of communication skills. The study lasted for 12 sessions, each lasting for 90 minutes.
The learning material consisted of four projects, each with a different theme and shape poem. The themes were: Myself, My Family, My School, and My Environment. The shape poems were: Heart, House, Book, and Tree. The learning material also included activities such as brainstorming, drawing, writing, reading, and presenting.
The study used interview, document study, and observation as the methods to collect the data. The data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques.
What are the results and implications of the study?
The study found that the developed product was valid and effective in improving students’ communication skills. The product was rated as ‘very high validity’ and ‘excellent’ by two expert judges for its content and media quality. The product also improved students’ vocabulary, ability to give appropriate response, and eye contact.
The study suggests that project-based learning material provided with shape poem technique can be a useful and innovative way to teach communication skills to students with ASD. The study also provides some recommendations for further research and development, such as:
- Expanding the scope and duration of the study to include more students, teachers, and schools.
- Exploring other themes and shapes for the poems, such as animals, fruits, or vehicles.
- Incorporating other media and technology, such as audio, video, or animation.
- Comparing the effectiveness of the product with other methods or techniques.
The study contributes to the field of English language education for students with ASD, and offers a new perspective on how to use poetry as a teaching tool.
Faq
How to write a shape poem?
To write a shape poem, one can follow these steps:
- Choose a topic or theme for the poem, such as an object, a person, a place, or an emotion.
- Choose a shape that represents the topic or theme, such as a heart, a house, a book, or a tree.
- Brainstorm some words or phrases that describe the topic or theme, using sensory details, emotions, actions, or comparisons.
- Arrange the words or phrases in the shape of the chosen shape, using different sizes, colors, fonts, or orientations.
- Edit and revise the poem, checking for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity.
- Share and present the poem, explaining the meaning and the connection between the shape and the content.
What are the types and examples of shape poems?
The types and examples of shape poems are:
- Concrete poems: Shape poems that use the arrangement of words and letters to create a visual image that matches the content of the poem. For example, a poem about a star can be written in the shape of a star.
- Calligrams: Shape poems that use the typography and design of words and letters to create a visual image that matches the content of the poem. For example, a poem about a cat can be written using the letters C, A, and T to form the shape of a cat.
- Visual poems: Shape poems that use the combination of words, images, colors, and symbols to create a visual image that matches the content of the poem. For example, a poem about a flower can be written using words, pictures, and colors to form the shape of a flower.
Source:
https://repo.undiksha.ac.id/18656/2/2229081043-DAFTAR%20PUSTAKA.pdf