The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students

Vocabulary is a central element of language proficiency that offers a strong foundation for students’ language skills. However, an extensive review of previous studies showed that Malaysian students' English proficiency levels are decreasing due to limited vocabulary knowledge despite having be...

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Main Author: Kasturi, Sivabalan
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2023
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Online Access:http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/39301/1/ir.The%20use%20of%20whatsapp%20as%20a%20collaborative%20tool%20in%20vocabulary%20learning%20among%20tertiary%20level%20students.pdf
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spelling my-ump-ir.393012023-11-14T06:31:39Z The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students 2023-07 Kasturi, Sivabalan PE English Vocabulary is a central element of language proficiency that offers a strong foundation for students’ language skills. However, an extensive review of previous studies showed that Malaysian students' English proficiency levels are decreasing due to limited vocabulary knowledge despite having been exposed to the vocabulary for more or less than 11 years. In order to tackle students’ eagerness to acquire vocabulary, instructors are to be creative and aware of the current changes in the teaching and learning process. The mushrooming of technologies, including mobile phones, has made them widely used devices in modern society and a great influence in the education field. The use of instant messaging mobile applications has become epidemic among Generation Z (Gen-Z) because they spend a significant amount of their free time browsing through social network applications, such as WhatsApp. Hence, this study explored the use of WhatsApp as a collaborative learning tool to assist tertiary-level students in vocabulary learning. A total of 20 second-semester psychology students from Widad University College were involved in the study. This study aims to examine the effects of WhatsApp instruction and investigate the benefits and obstacles experienced by the students upon the use of WhatsApp in vocabulary learning. Furthermore, the quasi-experimental design employed in this study lasted for six weeks. A vocabulary test was used to gather quantitative data, while a focus group interview was conducted to collect qualitative data. SPSS version 22 was applied to analyse the quantitative data, while NVivo 12 was employed to evaluate the qualitative data. The findings of the quantitative data demonstrated a significant difference in the total mean scores between the pre-test and post-test after the use of WhatsApp in vocabulary learning. The focus group interview showed that the benefits of the use of WhatsApp were present, given that the application facilitated vocabulary learning, promoted collaborative learning, enhanced relationships among teachers and peers, boosted student confidence, and provided the students with technical and educational assistance in mastering the target vocabulary. Overall, the findings imply that WhatsApp is a suitable collaborative learning tool for assisting vocabulary learning. However, some techniques need to be improved to get around the problems and ensure that WhatsApp is a useful tool for vocabulary learning. 2023-07 Thesis http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/39301/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/39301/1/ir.The%20use%20of%20whatsapp%20as%20a%20collaborative%20tool%20in%20vocabulary%20learning%20among%20tertiary%20level%20students.pdf pdf en public phd doctoral Universiti Malaysia Pahang Center for Modern Language Zuraina, Ali
institution Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
collection UMPSA Institutional Repository
language English
advisor Zuraina, Ali
topic PE English
spellingShingle PE English
Kasturi, Sivabalan
The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students
description Vocabulary is a central element of language proficiency that offers a strong foundation for students’ language skills. However, an extensive review of previous studies showed that Malaysian students' English proficiency levels are decreasing due to limited vocabulary knowledge despite having been exposed to the vocabulary for more or less than 11 years. In order to tackle students’ eagerness to acquire vocabulary, instructors are to be creative and aware of the current changes in the teaching and learning process. The mushrooming of technologies, including mobile phones, has made them widely used devices in modern society and a great influence in the education field. The use of instant messaging mobile applications has become epidemic among Generation Z (Gen-Z) because they spend a significant amount of their free time browsing through social network applications, such as WhatsApp. Hence, this study explored the use of WhatsApp as a collaborative learning tool to assist tertiary-level students in vocabulary learning. A total of 20 second-semester psychology students from Widad University College were involved in the study. This study aims to examine the effects of WhatsApp instruction and investigate the benefits and obstacles experienced by the students upon the use of WhatsApp in vocabulary learning. Furthermore, the quasi-experimental design employed in this study lasted for six weeks. A vocabulary test was used to gather quantitative data, while a focus group interview was conducted to collect qualitative data. SPSS version 22 was applied to analyse the quantitative data, while NVivo 12 was employed to evaluate the qualitative data. The findings of the quantitative data demonstrated a significant difference in the total mean scores between the pre-test and post-test after the use of WhatsApp in vocabulary learning. The focus group interview showed that the benefits of the use of WhatsApp were present, given that the application facilitated vocabulary learning, promoted collaborative learning, enhanced relationships among teachers and peers, boosted student confidence, and provided the students with technical and educational assistance in mastering the target vocabulary. Overall, the findings imply that WhatsApp is a suitable collaborative learning tool for assisting vocabulary learning. However, some techniques need to be improved to get around the problems and ensure that WhatsApp is a useful tool for vocabulary learning.
format Thesis
qualification_name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)
qualification_level Doctorate
author Kasturi, Sivabalan
author_facet Kasturi, Sivabalan
author_sort Kasturi, Sivabalan
title The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students
title_short The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students
title_full The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students
title_fullStr The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students
title_full_unstemmed The use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students
title_sort use of whatsapp as a collaborative tool in vocabulary learning among tertiary level students
granting_institution Universiti Malaysia Pahang
granting_department Center for Modern Language
publishDate 2023
url http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/39301/1/ir.The%20use%20of%20whatsapp%20as%20a%20collaborative%20tool%20in%20vocabulary%20learning%20among%20tertiary%20level%20students.pdf
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