Computers in Reading and Writing Skills through the Motivational Lens: SnagitTM, Screencast and E-mail Services

Year 2018, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 264 - 283, 16.07.2018

Adnan Yilmaz

https://doi.org/10.30935/cet.444110

Abstract

The rapid and continuous developments in
computer technologies underscores the need to investigate computers’ impact on
students’ motivation in second/foreign language (L2) reading and writing
skills. Given this need, the present empirical study aims to examine the effect
of computers on students’ motivation in L2 reading and writing skills. 35
students studying in the English Language Teaching Program at a state
university in Turkey were firstly given a motivation scale as a pretest. Then
they went through a five-week treatment phase during which they carried out
various reading and writing activities designed around two different authentic short
stories (The Lottery and The Cask of Amontillado) by using three
different computer programs, namely Snagit^TM,
Screencast, and e-mail services. Finally,
they were again given the motivation scale to determine the change in their
motivation level. The analysis of the data indicated a significant increase in
student motivation in L2 reading and writing skills. The findings also indicated
that the students’ frequency and experience of computer use had no significant influence
on L2 reading and writing motivation.  Based
on these findings, it can be inferred that computers have a positive effect on
students’ motivation in L2 reading and writing skills.  

Keywords

Instructional technologies, Snagit, Screencast, E-mail services

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