Title: Effectiveness of mobile learning application in improving reading skills in Chinese language and towards post-attitudes

Authors: Ken Nee Chee; Noraffandy Yahaya; Nor Hasniza Ibrahim

Addresses: Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia ' Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia ' Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia

Abstract: In this paper, a quasi-experimental research was conducted to investigate the effects of smartphone application on Chinese language reading skills and sought students' perception on the use of smartphone applications regarding motivation, interest, and confidence. Quantitative data were collected from oral pre and post-test, and a 4-point Likert scale questionnaire. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyse whether there was a significant difference on the gain score between the control group (traditional method) and experimental groups (Integration of smartphone application). A total of 53 students participated in this study; the main results show that higher scores on tests after four consecutive weeks of intervention. Besides, from the findings, students were easier, and more prefer to learn the skills of reading with the use of smartphone applications in teaching and learning process if compared to traditional method. Furthermore, integration of smartphone application can leverage motivation and interest, but not confidence. Finally, the researchers discuss the implications of this study on the perspective of the potential of mobile learning.

Keywords: mobile learning; MALL; mobile assisted language learning; smartphone application; reading skill; motivation; interest; confidence; attitude.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2017.085347

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2017 Vol.11 No.3, pp.210 - 225

Received: 19 Aug 2016
Accepted: 25 Feb 2017
Published online: 23 Jul 2017 *

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