Journal Article

Student engagement and foreign language learning through online social networks

Naderi, Ahmad, Simons, Robert-Jan, Pilot, Albert, Akbari, Elham

2016

Overview

Introduction Nowadays, one of the most important questions in teaching and learning involves increasing the degree of students’ engagement in learning. According to Astin’s Theory of Student engagement, the best learning environment is one in which it is possible to increase students’ engagement. The current study investigates the influences that using these networks for educational purposes may have on learners’ engagement, motivation, and learning. Results By a detailed comparison of a control group using face to face education and an experimental group using the social network Facebook, this study found significant differences between the two groups in terms of learning, engagement and motivation. The Facebook group showed higher outcomes in the TOEFL post-test than the face to face group with no differences in the pre-test. The Facebook group report significantly higher levels of engagement and motivation after the course than the face to face group. Conclusion Engagement was related to learning outcomes in the Facebook group, but not in the face to face group. Also the results of the Facebook group supported Astin’s theory (the fourth principle: ‘Development is proportional to quantity and quality of involvement’ and fifth principle ‘The effectiveness of any educational practice is directly related to the ability of that practice to increase student engagement’). No correlation between engagement and motivation was found. The discussion focuses on the role of engagement in learning.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Applied Linguistics / Computer mediated communication / Control Groups / Conventional Instruction / Education / Educational Environment / Educational Objectives / Educational Practices / English (Second Language) / English as a second language / Foreign languages / Groups / Instructional Effectiveness / Language Education / Language Tests / Learner Engagement / Learning / Learning environment / Learning Motivation / Learning outcomes / Motivation / Original Article / Second Language Instruction / Second Language Learning / Social Media / Social networks / Student participation / Students / Teaching / Teaching and Teacher Education / Teaching Methods / Technology Uses in Education