Enhancing Journalistic Competence Through Blogging: A Study of English Education Students

The aim of this study is to enhance the effectiveness of journalism courses by integrating blogging as an interactive and adaptive digital learning medium. A total of 49 students from the English Language Education programme at the University of Muhammadiyah Tangerang participated in the study. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected via pre- and post-tests, Likert-scale questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. For the quantitative analysis, a one-group pre-test and post-test design was employed. The results showed a significant improvement in learning outcomes: the average pre-test score of 65.22 increased to 91.20 in the post-test. The paired samples t-test produced a calculated t-value of 62.84 and a p-value of less than 0.0001, indicating a statistically significant difference. From a qualitative perspective, student responses to the questionnaires revealed a highly positive perception of using blogs, particularly with regard to understanding the material, learning motivation, and ease of access. In-depth interviews corroborated these findings, emphasising that blogs offer flexibility in learning and engaging visuals. Based on these results, it can be concluded that blogging practices are capable of developing students' journalistic skills, strengthening digital literacy, and fostering independence in learning. Therefore, blogging is a recommended, innovative alternative learning strategy for higher education, particularly in the context of journalism.