The Effect of Seamless Learning Approach on Learner Achievement and Attitudes in Teaching EFL

Abstract

Mobile applications have recently been widely used in English language teaching. One of the methods in which mobile devices are actively used in teaching-learning is the Continuous Learning approach. WhatsApp, a basic communication application, and Kahoot!, a game-like student response application, are applications that can be used in the continuous learning approach. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the effects of continuous learning activities on students' achievement and attitudes in EFL classes. Using embedded mixed research design, experimental results were explained with the qualitative data obtained from student interviews. The study was conducted with 47 students studying at Inonu University, School of Foreign Languages. Data analyses have shown that compared to the control group, seamless learning activities used in the treatment group in this research did not have a significant impact on students’ achievement and attitudes towards English classes. Indications on how to use seamless learning activities more efficiently are made by further examination of qualitative data.

Keywords

• Smartphones
• Seamless Learning
• Mobile Learning
• EFL
• WhatsApp
• Kahoot

İngilizce Öğretiminde Kesintisiz Öğrenme Yaklaşımının Öğrenci Başarısı ve Tutumları Üzerindeki Etkisi

Abstract

Mobil uygulamalar son zamanlarda İngilizce öğretiminde yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Mobil cihazların öğrenme-öğretmede aktif olarak kullanıldığı yöntemlerden biri de Kesintisiz Öğrenme yaklaşımıdır. Temel bir iletişim uygulaması olan WhatsApp ve oyun benzeri bir öğrenci yanıt uygulaması olan Kahoot! kesintisiz öğrenme yaklaşımında kullanılabilecek uygulamalardır. Bu araştırmanın amacı, kesintisiz öğrenme etkinliklerinin EFL sınıflarında öğrencilerin başarıları ve tutumları üzerindeki etkilerini deneysel olarak incelemektir. Gömülü karma araştırma deseni kullanılarak, deneysel sonuçlar öğrenci görüşmelerinden elde edilen nitel verilerle açıklanmıştır. Çalışma, İnönü Üniversitesi Yabancı Diller Yüksekokulu'nda öğrenim gören 47 öğrenci ile yürütülmüştür. Verilerin analizi, kontrol grubuyla karşılaştırıldığında, bu araştırmada uygulama grubunda kullanılan kesintisiz öğrenme etkinliklerinin öğrencilerin başarıları ve İngilizce dersine yönelik tutumları üzerinde önemli bir etkisi olmadığını göstermiştir. Kesintisiz öğrenme etkinliklerinin nasıl daha verimli kullanılabileceğine ilişkin göstergeler, nitel verilerin daha fazla incelenmesiyle ortaya konmuştur.

Keywords

• Akıllı telefonlar
• Kesintisiz Öğrenme
• Mobil Öğrenme
• WhatsApp
• Kahoot

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