The purpose of the this study was to investigate how web-based User Created Content (UCC) task activities affect English learning in college students. To achieve this goal, the study was conducted according to the following procedures.
First of all, t...
The purpose of the this study was to investigate how web-based User Created Content (UCC) task activities affect English learning in college students. To achieve this goal, the study was conducted according to the following procedures.
First of all, the theoretical background of Web-based Instruction(WBI), Web-based UCC, and task-based learning were introduced from the related previous findings. UCC task is to create contents using expressions and materials learned in the class and the post on the web-site. There are three types of the UCC task such as Text UCC, Image UCC, and Video UCC.
To achieve the purpose of the present study, firstly, a specific UCC task-based instructional model was designed. Secondly, an experiment was conducted to examine how UCC task-based English learning affects students’ abilities in listening to, reading, speaking and writing English. Thirdly, the way in which UCC task-based English learning affects students’ levels of participation, interest and confidence in a class was examined.
Five hypotheses were set up to pursue the study objectives through comparing two learning groups - a UCC task-based interactive learning group and a traditional method learning group. First, the experimental group will show more improvement in the ability to listen to, read and comprehend English than the control group. Second, the experimental group will show more improvement in the ability to speak and write in English than the control group. Third, the experimental group will show a higher level of interest in English learning than the control group. Forth, the experimental group will show more improvement in class participation than the control group. Fifth, the experimental group will show more improvement in confidence in commanding English than the control group.
In regard to the objective of the study, both the theoretical background and previous research were examined. Then, two classes of similar English ability were selected from college K located in Kyounggi-do as experimental and control groups. For students in the experimental group, an online cafe was set up on the Naver website to enable interactive learning and UCC task activities. Students in the comparative group followed the traditional learning method. Classes for both groups lasted for twelve weeks.
Both classes employed the same level of learning and subject materials. Students in the experimental group carried out UCC tasks in forms of text, image and video; students in the comparative group engaged in traditional learning activities such as writing dialogues and information gap activities.
The results of this study are as follows: First, there was no significant difference between the two groups in regard to the ability of listening and reading comprehension. Second, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the ability of speaking English (p=.026, p<.05). Writing ability did not show a significant difference (p=.073, p>.05), and yet the average score of the experimental group was 12 points, which was 1.13 points higher than that of the comparative group. Presumably, this can be attributed to the fact that UCC task-based learning involves extensive practice in speaking and writing, but not much in listening or reading.
The students in the experimental group reviewed the UCC task-based activities after classes were over. This learning method allowed more opportunities for students to participate in the class, and although it felt awkward in the beginning, students got used to it, and found it interesting and fun. The level of participation increased because students had to concentrate on the class to acquire new vocabulary and expressions to carry out UCC tasks. As students uploaded UCC tasks from the website and exchanged opinions with the teacher and other students, active communication and interaction took place. Students frequently visited the website to find others’ encouragement and opinions on their task results. While working on group tasks together, students made new friends quickly.
An in-depth interview was conducted for six students randomly selected from each of the three levels-intermediate, medium, and elementary-within the experimental group. The interview showed the following results. UCC task-based learning involved direct participation of the students, and had positive effects because students could give and receive feedback in any place at any time. Students with a low level of confidence found the UCC task-based learning painful and difficult in the beginning. However, with more experience and the realization that there was no single correct answer to questions, students became more confident. In particular, students had interesting and memorable episodes while working on group tasks together, which also had a positive impact on learning English. These opinions show that the characteristics of UCC task-based learning-participation, communication, and openness-were successfully reflected in the learning experience. The study demonstrated that web-based UCC task activities had a positive impact on students’ academic achievement, and this finding has significant implications for English classes with regard to future application. It is expected that developing more diverse and instructive UCC tasks will improve the academic achievement of students.