Peer Assisted Virtual Learning (PAVL) to Improve Understanding of Arabic Text in Online Learning

Abstract

Understanding Arabic texts for beginners is a problem in learning Arabic. This study aims to describe the process of Peer Assisted Virtual Learning (PVAL) to help understand Arabic text in online learning and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. This research is a pre-experimental research with a one-shot case study model conducted on students of the Arabic Language Development Program (PPBA) of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang in semester 2. The data collection method uses observation, questionnaires, and tests. PAVL is an implementation of peer tutor learning which is carried out virtually. In this activity, the implementation uses the zoom meeting application, which is then in the breakout room into small groups to discuss issues related to the text. The teacher supervises the process by joining the room but does not enter into a discussion atmosphere. After each group finished presenting the results of their understanding, the results of the presentation showed that if it was done independently, there were many mistakes in understanding the meaning of vocabulary, but if it was done with virtual peer tutoring, the results would be better. The results of hypothesis testing indicate that learning with the PVAL method is very helpful in overcoming the problem of learning difficulties and understanding Arabic texts online, with a significance value of 0.000 0.05 and an average increase in value from pretest to posttest of 10. %, which means this method helps to improve the ability to memorize Arabic texts in online learning.