西南交通大学学报

第 55 卷 第 3 期 Vol. 55 No. 3
JOURNAL OF SOUTHWEST JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
2020 年 6 月 June 2020

ISSN: 0258-2724 DOI：10.35741/issn.0258-2724.55.3.40

Research article

Education

DIGITAL CONTENT FOR MILLENNIAL GENERATIONS: TEACHING

THE ENGLISH FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNER ON COVID-19
PANDEMIC

千禧一代的数字内容：在新冠肺炎大流行中讲英语的外国语言学
习者

Andi Hamzah Fansury a, *, Restu Januarty a , Ali Wira Rahman b, Syawal b

a
Bosowa University
Urip Sumoharjo Street, Makassar, Indonesia, [email protected], [email protected]
b
Muhammadiyah University of Pare-Pare
Ahmad Yani Street, Pare-Pare, Indonesia, [email protected], [email protected]

Received: March 8, 2020 ▪ Review: May 20, 2020 ▪ Accepted: May 30, 2020

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

Abstract
This article describes a method used in teaching English in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Digital content media that can be sourced from YouTube, Facebook, and TV broadcasting, or teaching
videos made by the teacher are expected to be utilized to enable students to learn effectively. The Mixed
Method with Quan-Qual Approach used to analyse the research data not for teaching. They use
questionnaires and interviews to examine the responses of students and teachers in Makassar.The purpose
of these instruments is to determine how to use digital content and whether digital content can increase
student motivation and interest in the material provided. Based on data analysis results, it was concluded
that the use of digital content in teaching English is very helpful for students in understanding material
during the pandemic, especially for the millennial generation. Upon using digital content, the learning
process becomes easier because it can be directly integrated into various applications such as WhatsApp
groups, Zoom, Google Meet, and so on. Further, the use of digital content in the learning process during
the pandemic is one way to bypass direct contact (physical distancing) with other students; it is more
flexible and can be accessed without constraints. The use of digital content also increases student
motivation in learning because the material provided has been designed to evoke students’ interest.
However, this mode of teaching has its weaknesses. The limitations of internet resources, both in terms of
network and data packages, can restrict all students from using it.

Keywords: Digital Content, Millennial Generation, Teaching, COVID-19

 2 Fansury et al. / Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University / Vol. 55 No. 3 June 2020

摘要 本文介绍了一种在新冠肺炎大流行中教授英语的方法。可以利用可以从 YouTube，脸书和电
视广播中获得的数字内容媒体，或者由老师制作的教学视频来使学生有效地学习。全权方法的混
合方法用于分析研究数据，而不用于教学。他们使用问卷和访谈的方式来检查望加锡学生和教师
的反应。这些工具的目的是确定如何使用数字内容以及数字内容是否可以提高学生对所提供材料
的兴趣和兴趣。根据数据分析结果，得出的结论是，在英语教学中使用数字内容对学生理解大流
行期间的材料非常有帮助，特别是对于千禧一代。使用数字内容后，学习过程将变得更加轻松，
因为它可以直接集成到各种应用程序中，例如 WhatsApp 组，放大，谷歌见面等。此外，在大流
行期间的学习过程中使用数字内容是一种绕过与其他学生直接接触（身体疏远）的方法。它更加
灵活，可以不受限制地访问。数字内容的使用还增加了学生的学习动机，因为提供的材料旨在唤
起学生的兴趣。但是，这种教学方式有其缺点。互联网资源的局限性，无论是在网络还是在数据
包方面，都可能限制所有学生使用它。

关键词: 数字内容，千禧一代，教学，新冠肺炎

I. INTRODUCTION created a monotonous approach. Consequently,

Learning English at an early age has become a students get bored and restless; therefore, the
trend in Indonesia. The Indonesian government language mastery expected is not achieved.
established the regulation No. 20 (2003) in Nowadays, people live in an era of
response to current events, into the National globalization where technological developments
Education System. This regulation led to the grow very rapidly. People are competing to find a
English language being integrated into the lot of information by utilizing technological
syllabus for elementary school levels, alongside developments, the most notable being the internet.
native language content subjects, for grades 4 People web surf and find a lot of information and
through 6. Despite the fact that English is in the news through the internet. These technological
curriculum and taught to young students, developments has an effect on learning English.
Indonesian college students’ English language The application of technology in the learning
ability do not satisfy standards. There are process can change the way people work, learn,
numerous factors affecting students’ abilities in interact, and spend free time. It can also help in
English. Externally, factors such as ambiance and this COVID-19 pandemic where technology
atmosphere, parental influences, teachers' plays a significant role when teaching and
instructional methods, and media influence their learning is done at home. At present, many
learning. Internal factors such as embracing an schools have applied technology as a learning
interest in the subject matter, attitude, media in the COVID-19 pandemic to adapt the
intelligence, temperament, learning style, and learning process, despite the lack of in-person
motivation all play a role. contact.
Motivation is a concern. Many students don't The use of technology in the learning process
seem to be motivated to study or feel bored. was implemented long before the COVID-19
Additionally, their comprehension is low. These pandemic. In the current Millennium Era,
issues can be attributed to being on the receiving technology usage plays an important role in
end of tough words, underdeveloped vocabulary, supporting teaching and learning processes to
or insufficient or inappropriate materials. This is make topics more interesting for students.
why selecting appropriate reading materials for a Mediums such as video presentations, tapes, and
student's reading level becomes necessary. With PowerPoint slideshows, also known as digital
the innovation and progression of data and content, have been used in the teaching-learning
communication technology, all academic process. Today, the use of technology or digital
institutions will develop their own materials, content in the learning process is a very viable,
supported by academic authorities. This will alternative way to replace conventional learning
encourage and expand teachers’ ability. Based on process [26]. In keeping up with the times, the
observations at a junior secondary school in advancements available today allow students of
Makassar, it was noted that English courses the millennial generation to access new things in
merely reused government-provided textbooks, class. As instructors during the COVID-19
and did not offer any supplementary material. pandemic, teachers are required to constantly
Observations noted that the usage of the books introduce new teaching methods in classes to
keep the students interested and motivated.
 3

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the students' The COVID-19 pandemic is a problem that
motivation to learn is low because they only over 200 countries in the world face. Indonesia
study at home. Therefore, the teachers must has been severely affected by COVID-19, as the
overcome this problem. death rate had reached 8.9% by the end of March
Using technology during the learning process 2020 [8]. Consequently, the province and
is important. Technology can be used in various city/district created a policy to eliminate face-to-
ways during the learning process, such as face learning and replace it with online learning
organizing and providing teaching material for for schools and universities during the COVID-
students, helping the students, teachers and 19 pandemic. Learning through networks
parents to interact anytime and anywhere; includes the following potentials: meaningful
facilitating and assisting in determining the learning, ease of access, and improvement in
learning material from the internet, and learning outcomes. In the context of online
simulating, visualizing, and interacting with learning, with teacher guidance students can
scientific structures, processes and models [1], relate quickly and directly with text, images,
[2]. An example of this is giving students the sound, data, and two-way video. Face-to-face
freedom to find additional material on the tutorial is replaced with a technology
internet. Furthermore, having access to the intermediary called tuweb, which is expected to
internet is important. The current millennial improve student learning outcomes amid the rise
generation, such as students, is a generation that of the COVID-19 virus [9], [10].
cannot be separated from technology. With the Considering the facts, the researcher feels it is
development of technology, students can obtain necessary to learn how digital is content used by
additional learning materials outside of school. Millennials, as well as how it motivates and
The use of technology is particularly important in enhances student interest, in learning English
the current climate because it is a medium that during the COVID-19 pandemic.
supports the learning process without time limits
[3], [4]. II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Indonesia has the largest number of internet
users in the world with 132 million users. Data A. Digital Content in Indonesia
shows that approximately half of Indonesia's Digital content comes in a variety of formats:
population are active users of the internet. Not text or writing, images, videos, audio, or a
only regarding internet access, but also internet combination that is converted by the reader into
use; the population of Indonesia uses the internet code so that it can be read, displayed, or played
for an average of eight hours per day. A survey by a digital machine or computer and easily sent
conducted by WeAreSocial stated that the or shared via digital media. Digital media also
average time that the world’s population spends varies, ranging from e-mail, blogs, websites,
on the internet is six hours per day either through podcasts, to social media such as YouTube,
a computer or a smartphone. Multiplying this Facebook, Digital Contents, etc.; these have all
duration by the number of internet users in the become a part of everyday modern human life.
world shows that there would have been more In 2017, Indonesia experienced an increase in
than 1 billion hours of internet use in 2018 [5]. digital content consumption caused by the
Digital development in many countries increasing use of social networks. Increasing
continues to be monitored. In 2018, WeAreSocial cellular networks will continue to stimulate the
cooperated with Hootsuite to create a digital consumption of digital content. The increasing
global report, which portrayed interesting data in number of cellular and multimedia
the digital world, especially on mobile devices. In telecommunications device users is expected to
Indonesia, 60% of the 132 million users have be an opportunity for the development of the
accessed the internet using their smartphones [5]. content industry in Indonesia. This is supported
People of all ages use smartphones, such as by the character of the content industry which is
Android smartphones. As mobile technology open to giving developers opportunities,
develops, it creates new opportunities to improve especially millennial generation, to be more
the learning experience of students at all levels of active. The development of digital content in
education. It facilitates students to access Indonesia today is more dominated by
educational resources without the need to be entertainment content. Digital content which is
present in the working environment. Mobile learning or educational in nature is still lacking.
devices are useful tools and a way to access Still a bit too content creators who want to focus
recent events from the classroom [6], [7]. on the things that are educational.
 4 Fansury et al. / Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University / Vol. 55 No. 3 June 2020

Indonesia occupies as one of the largest utilizing information and communication

countries that uses one of the world's most technology, such as computer media with the
popular social media, Digital Contents. In the internet, mobile phones with various applications,
rankings of Digital Contents users, Indonesia video, telephone or fax. The use of this media
reached 53 million, which means that almost all depends on the structure of the learning material
smartphone users in Indonesia are Digital and the types of communication needed.
Contents users. In this case, Indonesia is ranked Conversational transcripts, examples of
third in the world after the United States, and information, and written documents that are
Brazil. From the huge number of social media digitally connected or Web-based learning that
users, we begin to see how long these internet show full text examples are typical ways that the
users interact with cyberspace through social importance of learning material is digitally
media. Again, Indonesia occupies one of the documented.
highest ranking in the world with the duration of Management of digital learning systems is
using social media for 3 hours 23 minutes. This different from conventional systems. Digital
duration when compared to the total number of learning systems require the existence of
internet users for Indonesians, the Indonesian infrastructure and technology that supports
people allocate almost 30% of their time to social (technology support), such as computers, internet
media. Apart from Indonesia predicate obtained access, servers, televisions, interactive videos,
by the digital world, the GSMA Connectivity CD/DVD ROMs, and so on. The development of
Index remained at 52.7 from a maximum index digital technology-based learning very rapidly
score of 100, or in other words below the world and spread throughout the world. The technology
average. Indonesia even under ASEAN has been used by many countries, universities,
neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and experts to raise interest in education and
Brunei Darussalam, Thailand and Singapore. learning. A number of applications are also being
There are many things that must be done by developed to support the quality of education or
the public and the government in improving the learning.The software that has been produced
development of digital content in Indonesia, such will enable instructional developers to collaborate
as high-speed internet infrastructure construction, with content specialists to package electronic
improve the readiness of the Indonesian people to learning material (digital material learning).
adopt Internet technology in every aspect of life. Digital learning actually contributes
If both of these things can be achieved then the quantitatively to teaching and learning
development of digital content in Indonesia interactions. The interaction on face to face
become very advanced. It has been initiated by learning is actually limited, that is, between
the Good News From Indonesia, seeking to instructors and learners only, but in digital
provide quality content for the Indonesian people learning the learning interactions are more spread
through various media, so that the Indonesian out. Interactions will occur between learners and
people really feel optimistic about the learners, learners with instructors, learners with
development of digital technology. This is the environment, or learners with the media. The
supported by the results of a survey conducted by interaction may occur due to the support of
Wearesocial in 2018 which put Indonesia as the digital media, such as e-learning, online
7th most optimistic in the world to see the discussion groups, e-mail, chat, instant
Internet as a technology that can open up new messaging, streaming video, animation, facebook,
opportunities. instagram and video conferencing. Digital
content based learning allows students to interact
B. Digital Content on Language Teaching actively using computers or smartphones, so that
Education has experienced very rapid they can parse interaction or face to face directly
development as well, including the presence of in class [11].
digital learning (digital learning). By utilizing the In learning foreign languages, especially
development of information and communication learning English, the use of digital technology is
technology, education can reach all levels of a necessity, aimed at overcoming the problems
society. The development of a digital-based that often occur when the teaching and learning
education platform began to flourish in Indonesia. process takes place, such as: lack of lessons to
Learning systems in the modern era are increase student time in practicing language skills,
considered to be more effective in providing limitations of authentic learning material , and
learning to students. too many students study. For this reason, the
Digital learning requires learners and elearning learning model is an innovation that
instructors to communicate interactively by can be done to facilitate students in improving
 5

their abilities. E-learning is a learning process 70% of the population of working age. For
involving digital devices in student learning millennials in Indonesia, digital content has
activities that will be able to provide new become a part of their daily lives. Digital content
learning space and culture so that learning of various brands focus on today's millennial
activities can take place anytime and anywhere. generation. Millennials utilize various digital
The application of technology, especially platforms or content as a medium to express
during the COVID-19 pandemic became very themselves. The millennial generation is an open
important, especially in terms of teaching English. young generation (open-minded), and
There are many tools/platforms and even digital individualist. Changes in social phenomena of
content that can be used by teachers and students future generations can be reflected in current
as learning resources. The use of technology in social phenomena. The individualist character of
the learning process has freed them from the top- the young generation in the future can be seen
down teaching approach. In many cases, from a number of phenomena – for example,
technology especially digital content can provide even though they gather gadgets that can still not
high quality English language training to students be separated from the hands, being immersed in
because the content can contain videos sourced their own world is a necessity. Gadgets are no
from native speakers. Super fast internet longer limited to technology, but have become
connection improvement and synergy between friends. It seems that a day without gadgets is
the private sector and the government in creating now impossible [12].
platforms or digital content for language training
can facilitate students and teachers in the learning D. Teaching and the COVID-19 Pandemic
process. Current technological advances also After COVID-19 hit Indonesia in mid-March
encourage individuals to create new digital-based 2020, in order to reduce the number of COVID-
things that are more interactive and relevant. 19 patients, the provincial government and local
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government governments produced education policies in
together with all stakeholders who played a role education that negated the need to learn face to
together to create digital content containing face, and instead replaced it with online learning,
learning materials needed by students and both at school and college level [13].
teachers to support the current learning process of Changing the learning system from
e-learning. conventional to e-learning during the COVID-19
pandemic has many challenges. Many students
C. Generation Millenials in Indonesia live in areas without reliable internet access
Currently, the millenial generation is the and/or struggle to get internet signal, such as
generation that is being talked about the most in those studying in hilly areas or higher places;
various fields around the world, but what and internet quota limitations of students and
who is the millenial generation? Researchers teachers; the gap seen in the whole country and
classify millennials as people born between 1980 even in Indonesia, only 34% of whom do e-
and the 2000s, or, in other words, the millennial learning, according to OECD data [14].
generation are the current generation of young Governments, stakeholders, educational
people aged 15-34 years old. In Indonesia, institutions, teachers and students must work
studies or research on the millennial generation together to find the right method to use in the
have not yet been carried out broadly or deeply. learning process, which is changing as a result of
Compared to the previous generation, the the COVID-19 pandemic [15]. Schools or
millennial generation does have its own universities in Indonesia experiencing the
uniqueness, as the results of research released by COVID-19 pandemic can imitate and adopt the
the Pew Research Center said that the millennial learning system that has been implemented by the
generation's uniqueness compared to the previous Univeristas Terbuka. Thus the learning system
generation is about the use of technology and that was originally face to face in the classroom
pop/music culture. The lives of the millennial or on campus can switch to using e-learning. The
generation cannot be separated from technology, learning process of future pandemic demands
especially the internet, which is a basic COVID-19 teachers to be able to take advantage
requirement for this generation. of all the existing digital media to be utilized as
Indonesia in 2020 is more or less determined learning materials. With the changing learning
by our millennial youth. According to BPS data, system, teachers, students in the future will begin
currently 50% of the population of working age familiar with the use of technology in the
is from the millennial generation and, in 2020 to learning process and not possible future open
2030, it is estimated that the number will reach
 6 Fansury et al. / Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University / Vol. 55 No. 3 June 2020

learning process is no longer done in class or face own words. Teacher St defines Digital Contents
to face. which are summarized in the result of interview.
“Yang jelas konten digital itu materi-materi
III. METHODOLOGY yang diambil dari berbagai sumber yang
The authors use a method called triangulation awalnya tidak untuk mengajar. Ngambilnya bisa
mixture or mixed methods design (QUAN- dari internet seperti Youtube, Digital Contents,
QUAL), in which the use of quantitative and facebook dan lainnya. Dengan Menggunakan
qualitative data is equally balanced. The data are konten digital guru juga mendapat banyak
not collected in separate studies or distinct phases sumber materi ajar baru yang dapat update
as in order two methods [16]. This research was setiap waktunya. engan Menggunakan Media
conducted in Makassar with target users who Ajar berberntuk konten digital, guru sangat
were students and teachers at the senior high terbantu terutama pada masa pandemi COVID-
school. The authors use purposive sampling by 19 ini” [“Digital content is material taken from
taking the total sample of 50 students and 20 various sources that were not originally for
teachers from several schools in the city of teaching. You can get it from the internet such as
Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. In this Youtube, Digital Contents, Facebook and others.
study, the authors used data questionnaires and Using digital content, teachers also get many
interviews. The questionnaire is one of the most sources of new teaching materials that can be
commonly used instruments for the collection of updated at any time. Using digital content as
data [17] and enables the collection of teaching media, teachers were greatly helped,
standardized information from samples taken in especially during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
research [18]. The questionnaire was given to (Interview/Teacher St)]
students and teachers in order to find out how to In line with the statement given by teacher St,
use digital content and to learn whether digital teacher M also states his definition about Digital
content can increase student motivation and Contents.
interest in the material provided. This writer “Materi ajar berbentuk digital seperti Video,
conducted interviews with the teachers and Vlog dan lainnya yang bersumber dari youtube,
several students to collect their opinions about Digital Contents, maupun facebook. Konten
digital content. The questionnaire was based on digital merupakan media pembelajaran yang
the teachers’ and students’ points of view. The dapat mudahkan siswa memahami materi yang
researcher analyzed the data using an interactive diajarkan oleh guru.”.
model of analysis involving collecting data, “Teaching materials in digital form such as
reducing, and presenting the data and drawing Video, Vlog and others sourced from YouTube,
several conclusions. Digital Contents, and Facebook. Digital content
is a media that can make it easy students
understand the material being taught by teachers”.
IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION (Interview/Teacher M)]
In general, they believe that Digital Content is
A. Using Digital Content in Teaching English Digital Contents that can facilitate the learning
Foreign Language (EFL) Learners process, especially during the COVID-19
This Data are obtained from interview to the
pandemic because it can be easily obtained and
teachers by asking them a question about what
accessed either through the internet or television.
Digital Contents according to them. The teachers’
In addition to finding out about what the
responses toward the questions show various
teachers' understanding of digital content, one of
definitions about Digital Contents. Teacher St
the issues worth discussing also is the reason
stressed that digital content is an authentic
teachers to use the Digital Content in the learning
materials created by native speakers of the target
process, especially during the pandemic COVID-
language. The responses illustrate the teachers‟
19. Based on the results of a questionnaire
definitions about Digital Contents by using their
distributed to 20 teachers, the result as shown in
Table 1 below.

Table 1.
Reasons to use digital contents in COVID-19 pandemic
Classification
Strongly agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly
Item
disagree
Fr % Fr % Fr % Fr % Fr %
An authentic learning material 10 50 7 35 1 5 1 5 - -
 7

Students’ knowledge 9 45 10 50 1 5 - - - -
Build students’ competence 4 20 14 70 2 10 - - - -
Motivate students to learn 12 60 7 35 1 5 - - - -

Based on the classification above, for item No. children can motivated in study English better
1, from 20 teachers, there were 10 (50 %) than before using an Digital Contents. And this is
teachers selected strongly agree, 7 (35%) teachers also a provision for the students to make it
selected agree, 1 (5%) teacher selected undecided, habituation, if they want to study abroad
1 (5%) teacher selected disagree and none (0%) (Interview with teacher M).
teacher were selected strongly disagree. From the Teacher M believes that Digital Content can
data, it was found that all of the teachers said that help students understand teaching material
they reason to use digital contents because the because it contains several aspects that are easy
media is an authentic material. For item No. 2, for students to learn. it is in line with the results
from 20 teachers, there were 9 (45 %) teachers of interviews saying that the teacher M Digital
selected strongly agree, 10 (50%) teachers Content is very important in teaching, especially
selected agree, 1 (5%) teacher selected undecided, during a pandemic COVID-19. He said that:
and none (0%) teacher were selected disagree and “Penggunaan Digital Konten sekarang ini
strongly disagree. From the data, it was found terutama pada masa pandemic COVID-19 ini
that all of the teachers said that they reason to use sangatlah penting. Dengan akses pembelajaran
digital contents to Enhance students’ knowledge. yang dibatasi dengan merumahkan semua siswa
For item No. 3, from 20 teachers, there were 4 otomatis penggunaan siswa dan guru
(20 %) teachers selected strongly agree, 14 (70%) membutuhkan media yang memudahkan mereka
teachers selected agree, 2 (10%) teacher selected dalam proses pembelajaran dirumah.”.
undecided, and none (0%) teacher were selected “Use of Digital Content now, especially
disagree and strongly disagree. From the data, it during the pandemic COVID-19 is very
was found that all of the teachers said that they important. With a learning process that is limited
reason to build students’ competence. And last, and carried out at home, students and teachers
for item No. 4, from 20 teachers, there were 12 need media that makes it easy for them in the
(60 %) teachers selected strongly agree, 7 (35%) learning process.” (Interview/teacher M)
teachers selected agree, 1 (5%) teacher selected Generally, the teachers believe that Digital
undecided, and none (0%) teacher were selected Contents are important in teaching English. It
disagree and strongly disagree. From the data, it provides cultural information and real language
was found that all of the teachers said that they used by native speaker so that students can learn
reason to motivate students. how they pronounced and stressed words.
The advantages of using Digital Contents in The use of digital content in teaching English
the classroom therefore include: having a positive has become very important in the midst of this
effect on student motivation; giving authentic COVID-19 pandemic. Before the existence of
cultural information; exposing students to real this pandemic, the teacher must bring something
language; relating more closely to students’ new in the class to motivate students. therefore,
needs. Teacher M stated that by using Digital teachers are required to always innovate and
Contents in teaching learning activities, the produce good learning media. Teacher M
students are able to comprehend the topics that believes that Digital Content can be an
they learn. It assumes that in facing globalization encouragement for students to increase their
era it is not enough to learn English solely for its learning motivation.
linguistics aspects. Teacher M’s stated that: Teaching using Digital Contents is such a new
“Untuk mengenalkan bahasa inggris yang technique to apply since the needs of students in
merupakan bahasa Internasional kepada siswa. getting new experience to learn the real language
Biar mereka bisa mengenal dari dini. Terutama of the native speaker are higher. The findings
dengan menggunakan materi bahasa Inggris asli, describe that the teachers tend to use Digital
sehingga anak dapat memotivasi siswa dalam Contents for some consideration. Accessibility is
mempelajari bahasa Inggris lebih baik lagi dari one of the considerations. By the development of
sebelumnya. Dan ini juga bisa menjadi bekal technology, the teachers can easily access any
buat mereka jika ingin melanjutkan studi di luar Digital Contents from the internet. It provides all
negeri things that teachers’ need.
To introduce the English as the international Toward the disadvantages of Digital Contents,
language to students. Let them know from an teacher St describes that teaching by using
earlier. With use an Digital Contents in English, Digital Contents is challenging. The challenging
 8 Fansury et al. / Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University / Vol. 55 No. 3 June 2020

aspect of it is on how to motivate students to enhancing students' motivation, the use of digital
learn English. He assumed that being a teacher is content can increase the sense of individuality
the same like being motivator. Knowing that felt by the community of learners as well as
Digital Contents are difficult for students, the teaching them to learn to actively participate in
teacher thinks an idea of how to make students various collaborative and cooperative social
motivated. He stimulates students to be curious activities [20], [21].
on what material being taught then. He argues
that in the learning process in class a teacher has
to bring something new at each meeting so that B. Digital Contents, Millennials Generation,
students' motivation to learn to continue to grow Motivation and Interest during the
due to waiting for new things brought by the they COVID-19 Pandemic
classroom teachers. Not only concerning on how In the era of the industrial revolution 5.0,
to motivate students, teacher also focuses on how digital content creation – especially in Indonesia
to select materials. The challenging point is what – is highly developed. This has been followed by
consideration he chooses to select particular further technological developments. However,
Digital Contents. Use of Digital Content in the the development of digital content is not
teaching process is very useful to improve the accompanied by an increase in the quality of the
motivation of learners and increase interest in content. There are still many millennials or
learning. In addition, the Digital Content young people who only create digital content for
encourage learners to better because the contents entertainment, not for the development of
of most digital content is the training provided education. Therefore, digital content that can be
directly by native speakers. in the era of used by teachers and students as learning media
globalization, many countries, especially in is still lacking.
foreign language teaching has emphasized the For many of the millennial generation,
use of Digital Content in their learning process. technology is part of their lifestyle. Selfie, vlogs,
East Asia countries, especially those in Indonesia, video content, blogs and other technology are
are yet to catch on to this awareness. Only when products produced by millennials [22]. Parents
EFL education makes a change into the and students always hope for innovative and
dynamism, Digital Contents will it experience the improvised teaching from their class teachers;
power of being energized and being competence otherwise, the learning process will be
[19]. monotonous and boring. With the use of digital
The use of digital content can be accessed content in the learning process, students tend to
using various media. In Indonesia, the majority of have higher motivation to learn [23]. There are
students belonging to the millennial generation several studies that show the impact of the
access digital content through mobile devices or utilization of digital content in influencing their
smartphones. The use of e-learning in the learning achievements. Tables 2 and 3 below
learning process of future pandemic COVID-19 show the results of the questionnaire about how
enhances the mobility of learners. By using a digital content affects student motivation and
smartphone, students can carry out the learning interest.
process anywhere and anytime. In addition to

Table 2.
Influence of digital content on student’s motivation in learning
Item Classification
Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly
agree disagree
Fr % Fr % Fr % Fr % Fr %
Digital content motivates the students in learning 20 40 17 34 13 26 - - - -
Easiest to know learn English by using digital content 15 30 30 60 5 10 - - - -

Table 3.
The students’ interest in learning using digital content
 9

Item Classification
Strongly agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly
disagree
Fr % Fr % Fr % Fr % Fr %
Students interest using conventional method 8 16 10 20 5 10 15 30 12 24
Students interest using digital content 15 30 22 44 8 16 5 10 - -

Based on the classification above, Table 2, Based on the survey data above, it can be
item No. 1 reveals that out of 50 students, 20 concluded that millennial life in Indonesia,
(40 %) students selected strongly agree, 17 (34%) especially those in school, always use internet.
students selected agree, 13 (26%) students Therefore, in accordance with the results of the
selected undecided, and no (0%) students questionnaire—using digital content as a medium
selected disagree or strongly disagree. From the of learning—it is currently considered very
data, it was found that all the students said that appropriate. Utilizing technology in the form of
digital content motivated them in learning. In digital content in the learning process will be
item No. 2, out of 50 students, 15 (30 %) students helped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use
selected strongly agree, 30 (60%) students of digital content will also increase student
selected agree, 5 (10%) selected undecided, and motivation in learning because during the
no (0%) students selected disagree or strongly COVID-19 pandemic, students' motivation and
disagree. From the data, it was found that all the interest in education is lacking. Motivation is one
students said that it was easiest to learn English of the important factors that influence the success
by using digital content. of learning English as a foreign language,
From Table 3, item No. 1, out of 50 students, especially in Indonesia. Without their motivation,
8 (16 %) students selected strongly agree, 10 students will not be serious when studying the
(20%) students selected agree, 5 (10%) students teacher’s material [24]. The interest of the
selected undecided, and 15 (30%) students students was dominantly classified as fascinating.
selected disagree and 12 (24%) students selected Motivation and interest are closely related:
strongly disagree. From the data, it was found someone will be motivated when they are
that all the students said that they were not interested. Therefore, the motivation comes after
interested in learning English using conventional being interested. Based on the results of this
methods. Item No. 2 reveals that, from 50 study, student motivation and interest increase by
students, 15 (30 %) students selected strongly the use of Digital Content in the learning process
agree, 22 (44%) students selected agree, 8 (16%) [25].
students selected undecided, 8 (16%) students Teaching English as a foreign language in
selected disagree and no (0%) students selected Indonesia is not easy. Many students lose interest
strongly disagree. From the data, it was found and show a negative attitude towards learning
that all the students said that their interest in English, and other subjects such as mathematics,
digital content was to enrich their abilities in chemistry, and physics are also of no interest.
English. Teachers now have the problem of improving
Indonesian millennials are very large in student learning outcomes, especially during the
number, have good behavior, and are very current COVID-19 pandemic. Students are too
creative. Millennials in Indonesia are the most lazy to learn the words, recite the dialogue, and
active group of the millennial generation in complete the exercises for teachers who still use
cyberspace. The average millennial generation conventional methods in the learning process. By
“consumes” the internet 8 hours per day. implementing digital content in students' learning,
motivation will increase due to the material or
media supplied by different teachers.

V. CONCLUSION
The use of digital content in teaching English
is beneficial for students for their understanding,
especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,
mainly for the millennial generation. Using
digital content, the learning process becomes
Figure 1. Time spent with media in Indonesia 2018 [5] easier because it can be directly integrated into
various applications such as WhatsApp group,
Zoom, Google Meet, and so on. By using digital
content in the learning process during the said
 10 Fansury et al. / Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University / Vol. 55 No. 3 June 2020

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