External factors

External factors also influence the learning process. This factor includes social environment and non-social environment (Rita Dunn in Yayang: 2011).

a) The social environment

The social environment such the staff of school and the classmate, the society and the surrounding that influence the students. Sociological stimuli, for example students are engaged in learning activities emphasizing independent work. They work in pairs and in small groups. Those who need special supervision by the teacher (e.g., vision-impaired, hearing-impaired, and emotionally troubled students) are seated near the front of the room or near the teacher’s desk. The first big contribution comes from the family. If the students have bad family or broken home because a lot of reason, it make several problems with their learning style or learning process.

b) The non-social environment

The non-social environment factors such as the condition of school, its building, the tools of learning, the weather, etc. Even, according to research, time study which is used by students also influences the learning process and achievement. Some ways to adapt the environment to accommodate the learning styles of students are listed as follows (Taking Center Stage 2001: 139):

(1) Noise. Students who prefer a quiet, relaxed work environment for independent study are provided with individual desks or carrels and are allowed to listen to soft music. Those students who wish total quiet are provided headphones without cords.

(2) Light. Many students prefer to work with less light, particularly to avoid the glare of fluorescent lighting. Separate switches control several banks of lights in the classroom. Some banks have had all but one fluorescent tube removed. For those concerned about the effects of reduced lighting on students’ eyes, current research reveals that even when the light is reduced markedly, the eyes will not be injured.

(3) Temperature. Mental work is done most effectively in a cool environment. Thermostats are set to 65 degrees. Students who prefer a warmer classroom are urged to wear sweaters, and those who prefer a cooler classroom are urged to wear layered clothing.

(4) Design. The aesthetics of the learning environment can affect students’ perceptions about learning negatively or positively. A neat, clean, graffiti-free

classroom is essential. The walls are painted in pleasing pastel colors, and wall decorations show the work of serious students. Evidence of work related to the content and performance standards is displayed prominently.

(5) Perception centers. Instruction within the classroom or the instructional media center provides for auditory and tactile-kinesthetic learning modes, including access to listening centers and computers.

3. Homeschooling

a. The Notion of Homeschooling

Sumardiono (2007: 4) stated that Homeschooling is an education model where the family chooses to be responsible in their child’s education and educates them by using home as basic education. The parents are responsible actively at the learning process. Basically, the first education for every child comes from their family especially from their parents. That is why the home-education or Homeschooling or un-schooling appears in public. Homeschooling is the education of children under the supervision of their parents within the home, apart from any campus-based school.

Homeschooling, also known as home education, is the education of children inside the home, as opposed to in the formal settings of a public or private school. Home education is usually conducted by a parent or tutor come in student’s home. Ella (in Putra 2013: 246) homeschooling is education process in consciously, regularly and directly that is undertaken by parents or family. It means that every

process in learning is undertaken by parents or family. The primary person is the parents who have responsibility in learning process and activity.

Homeschooling is believed able to facilitate students for improving their talent or potential. Putra (2013: 246) homeschooling is alternative model learning beside in school, parents responsible thoroughly, learning is not always with parents as facilitator, the learning situation is conducive, the goal is in order to every students’ unique potential grow maximally. It can be concluded that the parents not always the facilitator, parent can choose helper tutor for teaching their children.

b. The History of Homeschooling

‘Homeschooling’ is the term commonly used in North America, whereas ‘home education’ is more commonly used in the United Kingdom, elsewhere in Europe, and in many common wealth countries. Prior to the introduction of compulsory school attendance laws, most childhood education was impacted by the family or community. However, in developed countries, homeschooling in the modern sense is an alternative to attending public or private schools, and is a legal option for parents in many countries. Parents cite two main motivations for homeschooling their children: dissatisfaction with the local schools and the interest in increased involvement with (and greater control over) their children's learning and development. Homeschooling may also be a factor in the choice of parenting style.

Homeschooling can be used as a form of supplemental education and as a way of helping children learn under specific circumstances. The term may also refer

to instruction in the home under the supervision of correspondence schools or umbrella schools. In some places, an approved curriculum is legally required if children are homeschooled. A curriculum-free philosophy of homeschooling is sometimes called unschooling, a term coined in 1977 by American educator and author John Holt in his magazine Growing Without Schooling.