A SURVEY ON UTM TESL UNDERGRADUATES’ READING …€¦penyelidikan atau Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda...
Transcript of A SURVEY ON UTM TESL UNDERGRADUATES’ READING …€¦penyelidikan atau Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda...
A SURVEY ON UTM TESL UNDERGRADUATES’ READING
PREFERENCE: BETWEEN HYPERTEXTS AND BOOKS
DAYANG MAS MULIANY BINTI ABANG ABU BAKAR
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS TESIS♦
JUDUL: A SURVEY ON UTM TESL UNDERGRADUATES’ READING PREFERENCE:
BETWEEN HYPERTEXTS AND BOOKS
SESI PENGAJIAN: 2007/2008
Saya DAYANG MAS MULIANY BINTI ABANG ABU BAKAR (HURUF BESAR)
mengaku membenarkan tesis (PSM/Sarjana/Doktor Falsafah)* ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:
1. Tesis adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknologi Malaysia2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian
sahaja.3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan tesis ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara institusi
pengajian tinggi4. **Sila tandakan ( )
SULIT (Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub didalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972 )
TERHAD (Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan dimana penyelidikan dijalankan)
TIDAK TERHAD Disahkan oleh
__________________________ _____________________________ (TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)
Alamat Tetap: Nama Penyelia 1192 BELAKANG MASJID MUTTAQIN, PUAN ADLINA ABDUL SAMADJALAN DATO’ LUNDANG, 15200 KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN.
Tarikh: 30 APRIL 2008 Tarikh: 30 APRIL 2008
CATATAN: * Potong yang tidak berkenaan** Jika tesis ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak
berkuasa/organisasi berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh tesis ini perlu dikelaskan sebagai SULIT dan TERHAD.
# Tesis dimaksudkan sebagai tesis bagi Ijazah Doktor Falsafah dan Sarjana secara penyelidikan atau disertai bagi pengajian secara kursus dan penyelidikan atau Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda (PSM)
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A SURVEY ON UTM TESL UNDERGRADUATES’ READING
PREFERENCE: BETWEEN HYPERTEXTS AND BOOKS
DAYANG MAS MULIANY BINTI ABANG ABU BAKAR
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Science and Education (TESL)
Faculty of Education
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
May 2008
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“I declare that this thesis entitled “A Survey on UTM TESL
undergraduates’ reading preference: between hypertexts and books” is the
result of my own research except as cited in the references. The thesis has not
been accepted for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature of
any other degree”.
Signature :
Name : Dayang Mas Muliany Binti Abang Abu Bakar
Date : 30 APRIL 2008
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“I hereby declare that I have read this thesis and in my opinion this thesis
is sufficient in terms of scope and quality for the award of the degree of Bachelor
of Science and Education (TESL).”
Signature :
Name of Supervisor : Puan Adlina Binti Abdul Samad
Date : 30 APRIL 2008
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To my beloved
Late Father Abang Abu Bakar Bin Abang Mantali,
Mother Dayang Hasnah Binti Abang Masuu’di,
Father in Law Abdul Hadi Bin Mat,
Mother in Law Hamidah Binti Awang Mat,
And family members,
To my dearest
Husband Ahmad Azhan and daughter Nurhanni Salsabila,
All of you
Are the loves of my heart.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Thank to God Almighty, with His power and blessing, I am able to
complete this thesis although there are always obstacles to overcome.
First of all, I would like to show my gratitude to my supervisor. This thesis
would not have been possible without the support, patience, many fruitful
decisions and encouragement of Puan Adlina Abdul Samad.
Secondly to my beloved husband Ahmad Azhan and my daughter
Nurhanni Salsabila, thank you for the unconditional love and understanding.
Thirdly to my late father, we have gone through sweet times and also hard
times but for me all of the times and moments I have spend with you are always
the best moments in my life. You inspired me to be the best I can be. Having your
love is the best gift from the Almighty and this is a gift for you and our family
members. This is what you always dreamed of.
Last but not least, to all that were involved in completing this thesis, my
greatest gratitude for your cooperation and supports. Thank You.
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ABSTRACT
This research uses a survey to investigate UTM TESL
undergraduates’ reading preference between Hypertexts and books. The study is
very crucial as it will help to identify the strengths and also the weaknesses of the
preferred type of text. Therefore, questionnaires have been distributed to UTM
TESL undergraduates’ session 2007/2008 (Refer Appendix A). From the research,
it has been found that UTM TESL undergraduates preferred Hypertext as
compared to books. The reasons why the students preferred Hypertext are
encouragements from lecturers, cost and time saving, easier and faster access,
interactive and interesting, up to date and more focused. However Hypertext has
several weaknesses such as reliability low, has caused health problems and also
technical problems. The findings suggest that the students must be taught,
exposed and trained to select reliable reading materials, exposed and taught on
how to overcome the technical problems and lastly they must be aware of how to
prevent the Computer caused health problems.
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ABSTRAK
Kajian ini merupakan satu tinjauan terhadap minat pelajar UTM
khususnya pelajar tahun akhir TESL sesi 2007/2008 sama ada pelajar-pelajar ini
lebih berminat membaca bahan bacaan daripada Internet ataupun daripada buku-
buku. Kajian ini amat penting bagi mengenal pasti kelebihan dan kekurangan
bahan bacaan yang mereka minati atau tidak minati. Senarai soal selidik telah
diedarkan kepada pelajar tahun akhir TESL (rujuk Lampiran A). Hasil daripada
kajian ini mendapati bahawa para pelajar lebih berminat kepada bahan bacaan
daripada Internet berbanding bahan bacaan daripada buku-buku. Antara faktor
kepada minat mereka ini adalah kerana dorongan daripada pensyarah,
menjimatkan masa dan tenaga, interaktif dan menarik, terkini dan lebih fokus.
Sebaliknya, kekurangan bahan bacaan daripada Internet ini adalah seperti
mempunyai kebolehpercayaan yang rendah, masalah teknikal serta boleh
menjejaskan kesihatan. Hasil daripada penemuan mencadangkan agar pelajar-
pelajar diajar dan didedahkan tentang cara-cara memilih bahan bacaan yang
mempunyai kebolehpercayaan yang tinggi, diajar dan didedah tentang cara-cara
mengatasi masalah teknikal dan juga cara-cara bagi mengatasi masalah kesihatan
yang berpunca daripada komputer.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
THESIS STATUS DECLARATION ii
TITLE PAGE iii
RESEARCHER’S DECLARATION iv
SUPERVISOR’S DECLARATION v
DEDICATION vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vii
ABSTRACT viii
ABSTRAK ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS x-xiii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv
LIST OF FIGURES xv
LIST OF TABLES xvi
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Background of the study 2
1.3 Statement of Problem 3
1.4 Significance of the Research 4
1.5 Research Objectives 5
1.6 Research Questions 5
1.7 The Scope of the study 5-6
1.8 Definition of terminologies 6-9
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction 10
2.2 Views related to the study 11-12
2.2.1 Computer Assisted Language Learning 12-13
2.2.2 Information Technology 13-14
2.2.3 Hypertext Theory 14-17
2.7 Previous Research 18-25
2.8 Conclusion 26
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3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 27
3.2 Respondents of the study 27-28
3.3 Instruments 28-29
3.4 Research Procedures 29
3.5 Data Analysis 29-30
3.6 Conclusion 30
4 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
4.0 Introduction 31
4.1 Analysis and findings of the questionnaires 32-45
4.1.1 Findings on respondents’ background information 32-34
4.2 Findings on respondents’ views on Hypertext and
books 34-41
4.3 Findings on qualitative data 40-46
4.4 Discussions 46-48
5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction 49
5.2 Conclusion 49-51
5.3 Recommendations 52-61
5.4 Future Research 61-62
REFERENCES 63-67
APPENDIX A 68-71
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ABBREVIATION FULL DESCRIPTION
SHL 3562 Computer Assisted Language Learning I
SHL 4572 Computer Assisted Language Learning
SHL 4222 Teaching Macro Skills in Tesl
TESL Teaching English as Second Language
UTM Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
CALL Computer Assisted Language Learning
ICT Information Communication Technology
L2 Second Language
IT Information Technology
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LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE
4.1.1 Percentages on Respondents’ gender 32
4.1.2 Percentages on Respondents’ age 33
4.1.3 Percentages on Respondents’ Cgpa 34
4.2.1 Respondents’ highest percentages Scale from question
1 until question 9 37
4.2.2 Respondents’ highest percentages Scale from question
10 until question 18 39
4.3.1 Percentages on Respondents’ preference 41
4.3.2 Percentages on the strengths of Hypertexts 43
4.3.3 Percentages on the weaknesses of Hypertexts 44
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LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE
2.2 The benefits of IT to the students 22
2.3 The benefits of IT to the institution 23
2.4 The benefits of IT to the institution 24
3.1 Likert’s Scale 28
3.2 The relationship between mean and the rating scale 29
4.2 Findings on Respondents’ view about Hypertexts and books 35-36
5.1 Computer attacks and the preventive actions 51-55
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Reading is an important key or skill towards acquiring knowledge. Having
this skill does give some impacts to our life either in positive or negative ways.
With the advancement of technology, the main roles of books as the source of
reading materials have changed. It is because we have moved on to a new
environment of reading called hypertext environment. This text started as an idea
in 1945 by Vannevar Bush who proposed the development of hypertext. Altun
(2003) claims that as the result of the technology, we are moving towards
digitized media on computer screens where this technology can be interpreted and
shaped by a community of second language (L2) readers that are called Computer
Assisted Language Learning. The way in which second language (L2) readers
understand, interpret, and value hypertext-reading materials as a new medium, is
worth exploration. Hence, the study is used to guide us in finding the real reasons
why UTM TESL undergraduates preferred a particular type of text and suggest
ways to improve the skills in accessing the preferred type of reading material or
text.
1.2 Background of the study
Hypertext has been investigated for fifty-three years and until
today, many researchers are still working on with their ideas on how hypertext
could benefit us especially in the area of hypertext reading. Nelson (1992) claims
that Hypertexts most often refers to the text on a computer that will lead the user
to other, related information on demand. It also represents a relatively recent
innovation to user interfaces, which overcomes some of the limitations of written
text. Rather than remaining static like traditional text, hypertext makes possible a
dynamic organization of information through links and connections (called
hyperlinks). It can be designed to perform various tasks; for instance when a user
"clicks" on it or "hovers" over it, a bubble with a word definition may appear, a
web page on a related subject may load, a video clip may run, or an application
may open. In other words, Hypertext has made our life to be more convenience
by providing an effective, efficient, fast, economic and interesting source of
information.
Hence with the emergence of Computer Assisted Language Learning
(CALL), it offers more chances for learners to acclimatize with the new
dimension of reading by adjusting the conventional reading style such as from
books, journals and etc. and also to master the computer skill. This is because, we
have to consider that not all of the students have been exposed to the technology
due to lack of awareness on the importance of Hypertext, economic problem in
school and home and also insufficient number of facilities in school. Thus, it is
important for us to assist the students so that they can get along with the
technology and cope with their educational needs as Mason (1997) claims that it
is important, however, for us to come to grip with the implications of these new
texts for our students and for our teaching (Mason, 1997).
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Consequently, several researches have been made on how the new text
type has a great impact towards our reading direction. With the advancement of
Information Communication Technology (ICT), it has put forward further
opportunity to improve hypertext reading. Leu (1997) claims that the emergence
of new and constantly changing text-types related to information and
communication technologies means that for many now the word “literacy” refers
not to an achieved state, but rather a lifelong process of becoming literate is a
moving target, one we can never define, because information and communication
technologies continually change. Therefore, we hope that the hypertext reading
will benefit us by providing vast amount of data with just a click and also to
improve our educational system with the assistance from the latest technologies.
1.3 Statement of problem:
Although research has been made on Hypertexts by foreign researchers,
we are still lack of research on hypertexts in our educational system itself.
Therefore, with all of the benefits that it brought into our educational life, we
should pay more attention to Hypertexts especially on how to prepare the students
with the rapidly changing technology. With the emergence of Computer Assisted
Language Learning (CALL) and wide range of second language reading materials
either from the Internet, bookstores or the libraries, we cannot deny that the needs
towards hypertext reading materials are significantly important. Different findings
can be obtained by conducting the research in our local context so that we can
specifically cater the local needs in accessing hypertext reading materials.
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1.4 Significance of the Research
The study is to seek the significance of reading hypertext or books
among the UTM TESL undergraduates especially when they are reading the
preferred type of text. The results can be made as guides for us to identify the
strengths and weaknesses that the students may probably encounter while they are
reading the type of text. Hence with the results, we may also suggest ways on how
to overcome the problems faced by the respondents when dealing with the
preferred type of text.
The study is also used to identify the various factors that influence the
students to choose preferred type of text. These factors can be used to introduce
strategies and approaches in reading the text type. The outcome of the study can
also be a valuable source of information to facilitate better understanding to the
dilemma on preferred type of text.
1.5 Research Objective
The objectives of the research are to:
1. To investigate the students’ preference towards the different types
of reading ‘text’.-either hypertext materials or books.
2. To examine the reasons why the students prefer a particular type of
text.
3. To identify the difficulties that the students face while reading the
preferred type of text.
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1.6 Research question
The study aims to seek answers to the following questions:
1. What type of text do the students prefer?
2. Why do the students preferred reading a particular type of text?
3. What are the problems that the students experienced when they are
accessing the reading materials from the preferred type of text?
1.7 The Scope of the Study
The study is an attempt to identify UTM students’ preferred text
type between hypertext and books. Questionnaires will be distributed to the
respondents where the findings from the research method can be made as the key
answers to the study.
The subjects of the study are forty three students from the
Education Faculty whom are the final year students of SPL-TESL in Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia. These students have taken Computer Assisted Language
Learning (CALL) subject and Teaching Macro Skills in Tesl (SHL 4222) that has
provided them important knowledge towards the findings of the study especially
about the preferred type of text.
The instruments for the study are the questionnaires consisting of
three background information questions in section A, eighteen five rating scale
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questions on their personal views on hypertext and books and lastly in section C,
three question will be asked to gain supporting data for the findings in section B.
1.8 Definition of terminologies
These are the terminologies that would be often used throughout
the research:
1.8.1 Reading
Reading in this study is defined as the process of understanding
and constructing meaning from a piece of text. Reading difficulties become most
apparent when the reader is unable to grasp the meaning of the words from a text.
Reading comprehension may be affected by the difficulty of the text, the
vocabulary words used in the text, and the reader's familiarity with the subject
matter, among other factors (Royer,J.M, 2006).
1.8.2 IT
IT (Information Technology) is defined as the technology that
provides information or as a medium to transfer information through computer,
multimedia, software and etc.
1.8.3 CALL
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CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) is defined as the
application of computer in helping the teacher towards the teaching and learning
in the classroom where the computer plays roles as the tutor and tutee. In other
words, the computer can be a source of information to the students in learning
process and learning practice tools.
1.8.4 ICT
ICT (Information Communication Technology) in this study is defined
as knowledge turns into multimedia, trans disciplinary and practice oriented
knowledge. The multimedia applications and networks based solutions brought
about other aspect of learner’s behaviors and encourage the introduction of
individual based classroom or distance learning (Tick A., 2006).
1.8.5 Hypertext
Hypertexts refer to the text on a computer that will lead the user to other,
related information on demand. It also represents a relatively recent innovation to
user interfaces, which overcomes some of the limitations of written text. Rather
than remaining static like traditional text, hypertext makes possible a dynamic
organization of information through links and connections (called hyperlinks). It
can be designed to perform various tasks; for instance when a user "clicks" on it
or "hovers" over it, a bubble with a word definition may appear, a web page on a
related subject may load, a video clip may run, or an application may open.
(Nelson, 1992).
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1.8.6 Glosses Hypertexts
Glosses Hypertext in this study is defined as the ‘text’ interface that
provides popup vocabulary definitions.
1.8.7 Controlled hypertext
Controlled Hypertext in this study is defined as the ‘text’ interface that
provides predetermined and limited number of texts on the topic.
1.8.8 Free hypertexts
Free Hypertext in this study refers to a situation where the students read a
main text and then is directed to freely explore the Internet for other texts related
to the topic.
1.8.9 Controlled hypertexts with glosses
Controlled hypertexts with glosses in this study is defined as the texts
interface that provides predetermined and limited number of texts on the topic
with additional links that provide popup vocabulary definitions.
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1.8.10 Free hypertexts with glosses
Free hypertexts in this study is referring to a situation where the students
read a main text and then are directed to freely explore the Internet for other texts
related to the topic with an addition of links provide popup vocabulary
definitions.
1.8.11 Text
Text in this study is defined as any printed texts or reading materials such
as books, journals, magazines, newspapers and etc.
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