Vocational High School Students' Perceptions and Needs of Digital Learning Materials

Abstract

This study with topic digital learning materials result to explain vocational high school students’ perceptions of the usefulness of digital learning materials and to identify their needs for digital learning materials in English learning. This study used a descriptive qualitative approach with a qualitative survey design. The data were collected through a questionnaire distributed through questionnaire to 115 students who are in Grade X and XI at some private vocational high school in Semarang. The respondents came from different vocational classes, including Culinary Arts, Software Engineering, Fashion Design, and Visual Communication Design. The data were analyzed by organizing students’ responses, identifying important points, grouping similar answers, and interpreting them based on the research questions. The decision show that students generally had positive perceptions of need and use digital learning materials. They deliberated the digital learning materials useful because they helped them understand English lessons and supported the learning process. However, the improvement of English skills was still moderate, as many students felt that the materials only improved their skills a little. The findings also show that students needed digital learning materials that matched their vocational majors, included real-life and future job situations, and provided clear explanation. Therefore, digital learning materials for vocational English learning should be mobile-friendly, clear, practical, contextual, and relevant to students’ future plan career.