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Effects of Networked Language Learning: A Comparison Between Synchronous Online Discussions and Face-To-Face Discussions

Pyun, Ooyoung Che
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1047498590

Abstract Details

2003, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Educational Theory and Practice.
The use of electronic communication via networked computers has recently been evaluated as an effective medium for authentic communication in the field of foreign and second language instruction. This study investigated the effects of networked computers in foreign and second language learning by comparing electronic discussions (more specifically, synchronous online discussions) with traditional face-to-face discussions. The purpose of this study was to examine if there were any significant differences between electronic and traditional face-to-face communications in terms of linguistic productivity, syntactic complexity, linguistic accuracy and interactional features. The subjects of this study were ten NNSEs and ten NSEs, who were paired up to participate in the electronic discussion once and the face-to-face discussion once. The data elicited from the electronic and face-to-face discussions were examined and analyzed. The main frame of this study was a statistical analysis using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks tests. However, in order to better interpret findings obtained from this study, follow-up interviews were also conducted. The results of this study showed that electronic communication provided more opportunities for NNSEs to participate in the discussion and, as a result, the electronic mode contributed to more equal sharing of participation whereas face-to-face communication was more dominated by NSEs. In terms of syntactic complexity, the results exhibited that the discourse generated by electronic discussions contained a lower level of syntactic complexity than face-to-face discussions. With respect to grammatical accuracy, it was observed that NNSEs paid more attention to grammatical forms in the electronic discussions and made less grammatical errors under the electronic format. The findings of this study also showed that synchronous online discussion promoted interactive exchanges between communicators just as the traditional face-to-face discussion did. The electronic medium encouraged communicators to take more initiative, to produce more questions/answers and to provide more feedback. However, the slower pace of interaction in the electronic discussion seemed to restrain communicators from expanding and explaining on a topic in more detail. Finally, reports from follow-up interviews provided information that would help explain the participants’ attitudes towards electronic and face-to-face discussions.
Charles Hancock (Advisor)
151 p.
Networked computers; foreign and second language education; online discussion; face-to-face discussion; Computer application in L2

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pyun, O. C. (2003). Effects of Networked Language Learning: A Comparison Between Synchronous Online Discussions and Face-To-Face Discussions [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1047498590

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pyun, Ooyoung. Effects of Networked Language Learning: A Comparison Between Synchronous Online Discussions and Face-To-Face Discussions. 2003. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1047498590.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pyun, Ooyoung. "Effects of Networked Language Learning: A Comparison Between Synchronous Online Discussions and Face-To-Face Discussions." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1047498590

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1047498590
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.