Post on 27-Dec-2015
1
University students’ use of and attitudes towards online listening
for self-study purposes
Kristen SullivanShimonoseki City Universitykris@shimonoseki-cu.ac.jp
http://www.shimonoseki-cu.ac.jp/~sullivan/
2
The Project & Underlying Aims
Introduce online listening resourcesSpeaking/Listening activityEncourage students to adopt these
resources for their own self-study purposes
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Results from previous study
1. Most students don’t know about online listening2. The majority of students see benefit in it3. The majority of students did not adopt online
listening into their self-study regime 4. Half of students don’t have access to the
Internet at home5. Issues with student consciousness regarding
learning strategies? 6. Students don’t seem to be familiar with using the
Internet for English study
4
What are the differences between students who adopt the technology and those who don’t?
Motivation towards English study
Access to & possession of technology
Familiarity with & attitudes towards technology (general & study purposes)
Study strategies/style comfort zones
5
Knowledge about online listening
Did you know about online listening before taking this course?
92%
8%
Yes
No
6
Adoption of online listening for self-study purposes
Did you use online listening for your own self- study purposes?
38%
62%YesNo
7
Rate of adoption of online listening into self-study regime
How often did you use online listening for your self- study?
20%
80%
1/ week1/ month
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Student perception of benefits of online listening
Will you continue using online listening after this course?
85%
15%Yes
NoNot thatinterested in English
• Good study material• Want to improve my English• Can also use for TOEIC study • It was fun• Felt that my listening improved• Now I know how to use it
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Reasons for not using online listening for self-study purposes
37%
18%9%
18%
18%No timeNo InternetNo mp3 playerDidn't know good sitesSites were difficultNo interestNo PCSites were too easy
Motivation/Strategy/
Technophobia Issues?
TechnologyAccessIssues
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MotivationHow important is studying English to you?
010203040506070
VeryImportant
SomewhatImportant
Not Sure Not ReallyImportant
Not at allImportant
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
How important is studying English Listening to you?
010203040506070
VeryImportant
SomewhatImportant
Not Sure Not ReallyImportant
Not at allImportant
Students who did use the technology
Students who did not use thetechnology
How do you feel about English?
0102030405060708090
Like it &study a lot
Like it butdon't study
much
Like it butdon't study
at all
Don't like itbut study
Don't like itand don't
study
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
As to be expected, some level of motivation and desire is necessary
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Access to and Possession of Technology
Possession of Computers, Internet and Portable Music Players
0102030405060708090
100
Has own Computer Has Internet athome
Has mp3 player
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
All higher than expected.
Lack of internet access at home ≠ hindrance to
adopting online listening for self-study purposes (if
student is motivated &
interested)
Motivated students will find other means (university
computer lab, etc)
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Accustomed to using the Internet
0
20
40
60
80
100
VeryAccustomed
Kind ofAccustomed
Not Sure Not veryAccustomed
Not at allAccustomed
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Accustomed to using Computers
0
20
40
60
80
100
VeryAccustomed
Kind ofAccustomed
Not Sure Not veryAccustomed
Not at allAccustomed
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Accustomed to using Mobile Phones
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very Accustomed Kind of Accustomed Not Sure
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
FeelingAccustomed
=Feeling Confident,
Positive,Satisfied with
technology skills
all factorsconsidered
necessary forengaging withonline listening
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Accustomed to the Internet for Study Purposes
0
20
40
60
80
100
VeryAccustomed
Kind ofAccustomed
Not Sure Not veryAccustomed
Not at allAccustomed
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Accustomed to using Computers for Study Purposes
02040
6080
100
Ver
yA
ccus
tom
ed
Kin
d of
Acc
usto
med
Not
Sur
e
Not
ver
yA
ccus
tom
ed
Not
at
all
Acc
usto
med
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Accustomed to using Mobile Phones for Study Purposes
02040
6080
100
Very
Accust
om
ed
Kin
d o
fA
ccust
om
ed
Not
Sure
Not
very
Accust
om
ed
Not
at
all
Accust
om
ed
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Slightly unexpected
4 possible readings:
1. Unaccustomed =low use
2. Unaccustomed =unsatisfied with skills
(=serious)
3. Unaccustomed =don’t consider theircontact with English
online as “study”(technology forstudy purposes normalized)
4. Poor wording insurvey
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Attitudes towards Technology for Study PurposesIs the Internet beneficial for English study?
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very Much Agree Partly Agree
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Are Computers beneficial for English study?
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very Much Agree Partly Agree Not Sure
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Are Mobile Phones beneficial for English study?
0
20
40
60
80
100
Very MuchAgree
PartlyAgree
Not Sure PartlyDisagree
TotallyDisagree
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
Internet
Students who adoptedonline listening tend to
be more positivetowards the Internet
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So… how are students studying then?
Current Listening Study Methods
0102030405060708090
Nothing inParticular
WesternMovies
WesternDramas
WesternMusic
Textbook CD Internet Talk withNativeEnglish
Speakers
Students who did use the technologyStudents who did not use the technology
Fun, Soft, Entertainment
Students whoadopted the
technology – tried more types of
study materials
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What do students perceive as good study resources?
0102030405060708090
100
Text
book
sUn
iver
sity
Cla
sses
Con
vers
atio
nSc
hool
sPr
ofici
ency
Exam
sNa
tive
Spea
kers
Mus
ic
Mov
ies
List
en lo
ts
Read
lots
Emai
lW
rite
Lett
ers
Diar
ies
Stud
yG
ames
Cha
ttin
g
Onl
ine
PC S
oftw
are
Students who did use thetechnologyStudents who did not use thetechnology
“Extensive study” - confidence, optimism
Soft, Entertainment, Fun
Think it’sbeneficial
but don’t take the next step
Are study strategies/stylesbehind this?
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Characteristics of Adopters
Confidence Optimism Curiosity
Towards English
Towards Study
Towards the Internet
Past experiences with technology
Past experiences with study strategies
Past experiences with English
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Popular SitesMost Frequently Used Site
7%7%
14%
72%
ellloVOAThe Bob & Rob ShowYou Tube
Reasons for choosing this site
7%
7%
21%
7%
52%7%
Easy to use/ understandInteresting TopicsBritish&American EnglishIdiom ExplanationsQuizSlow Speed
Easy to use/understand:• Friendly listenings• Friendly features• Friendly site interface• Intuitive site design/flow
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Necessary Educational Interventions
More access to & chances to interact with technology in an educational context A different approach to the Japanese governments’ more PCs,
more broadband, more tech-competent teachers
More encouragement to experiment with, be curious about, think positively about technology
More encouragement & opportunities to experiment with a variety of study strategies/styles… a chance to re-define comfort levels