The Effect of Tablet Use on Students' Success in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Grammar Classroom

• Published in: Educational research and reviews Vol. 14; no. 5; pp. 178 - 189
• Main Authors: Kayapinar, Ulas, Erkir, Sarp, Kose, Nurcan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academic Journals 10.03.2019
• Subjects: College Students; Educational Technology; English (Second Language); Foreign Countries; Grammar; Handheld Devices; Language Skills; Second Language Instruction; Student Attitudes; Teaching Methods; Technology Uses in Education; Telecommunications; Turkey
• DOI: 10.5897/err2018.3670
• ISSN: 1990-3839

Integration of tablets in teaching English as a Second or Foreign language has been popular in recent years. However, there is limited evidence to prove the effect of tablet use on the acquisition of specific language skills. This paper aims to investigate the impact of tablet use on students' mastery of grammar skills. In order to answer the research questions, an experimental pretest-posttest with a control group design was employed at a private university in Turkey. The pre-test scores of both groups were compared with their post-test scores, and the post-test scores of the groups were also analyzed to look into a possible significant difference. The results indicate that there is no significant difference between the grammar achievement scores of the students in both groups. The findings were also cross-checked by using the views of the instructor and students of the experimental group on tablet use in the classroom. The instructor emphasized the influence of tablet use in learner autonomy, digital distraction, and network connection. Students mainly indicated that tablets can be supplementary, but they should not replace basic course materials such as textbooks and workbooks. The study can help raise awareness of curriculum designers and decision-makers generally about the effect of tablet use in the language classroom.