PENERAPAN REWARD VERBAL DAN NON-VERBAL DALAM MENDUKUNG MOTIVASI BELAJAR SISWA

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the implementation of verbal and non-verbal rewards, students’ learning motivation, and their responses to rewards during Indonesian language lessons on narrative texts in Grade IV at SDN Tanjung. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. The participants consisted of one Grade IV teacher and eleven students, five of whom were selected for in-depth interviews. Data were collected through classroom observations conducted over two sessions, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. Data trustworthiness was examined through source and technique triangulation, while data analysis involved data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicated that verbal rewards included praise, reinforcement of students’ answers, verbal encouragement, and positive feedback. Non-verbal rewards included smiles, thumbs-up gestures, applause, eye contact, high-fives, and stickers or star symbols. Students displayed varying levels of learning motivation in terms of active participation, attention, enthusiasm, confidence, and perseverance. Their responses to rewards were generally positive, as reflected in feelings of happiness, appreciation, greater self-confidence, and willingness to participate in classroom activities. These findings suggest that verbal and non-verbal rewards can serve as forms of positive reinforcement to support student engagement in Indonesian language learning. However, students’ responses varied, indicating the importance of adapting rewards to individual characteristics and learning needs.

ABSTRAK

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan penerapan reward verbal dan non-verbal, motivasi belajar siswa, serta respons siswa terhadap pemberian reward dalam pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia pada materi teks cerita di kelas IV SDN Tanjung. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif. Subjek penelitian terdiri atas satu guru kelas IV dan 11 siswa, dengan lima siswa dipilih sebagai informan wawancara mendalam. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi selama dua pertemuan, wawancara semi-terstruktur, dan dokumentasi. Keabsahan data diperiksa melalui triangulasi sumber dan teknik, sedangkan analisis data meliputi reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa reward verbal diberikan melalui pujian, penguatan jawaban, motivasi lisan, dan umpan balik positif, sedangkan reward non-verbal berupa senyuman, acungan jempol, tepuk tangan, kontak mata, high-five, serta stiker atau tanda bintang. Motivasi belajar siswa bervariasi pada aspek keaktifan, perhatian, antusiasme, keberanian, dan ketekunan. Respons siswa cenderung positif, ditandai dengan perasaan senang, merasa dihargai, meningkatnya kepercayaan diri, serta kesediaan berpartisipasi. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa reward verbal dan non-verbal dapat digunakan sebagai bentuk penguatan positif untuk mendukung keterlibatan siswa dalam pembelajaran.