Improving EFL Students’ Narrative Writing and Creativity Using Storybird: A Classroom Action Research Study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Storybird in improving junior high school students’ writing skills and creativity in narrative text. The research employed Classroom Action Research involving 32 eighth-grade students at a junior high school in Purworejo, Indonesia. Data were collected through classroom observations and writing tests to monitor students’ progress in narrative writing skills and creativity. The study was conducted in two cycles, each consisting of two meetings. Writing assessments were administered three times: a pre-cycle test, a test in Cycle I, and a test in Cycle II. The results revealed a substantial improvement in students’ writing performance, with mean scores increasing from 56 in the pre-cycle to 65 in Cycle I, and further rising to 87 in Cycle II. In addition, students’ creativity showed progressive enhancement across the cycles, shifting from low creativity in the pre-cycle to creative in Cycle I and highly creative in Cycle II. These findings indicate that the implementation of Storybird effectively enhances both writing skills and creativity in narrative text. The study implies that integrating digital storytelling applications into English language instruction can significantly support students’ skill development and creative expression, particularly in writing.