Using computer-mediated communication to improve student-lecturer communication and English language proficiency: A study from Mbombela.
Kruger, Pauline
Kruger, Pauline
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
The aim of the study is twofold: firstly, to find out whether information and communication technology (ICT), used for computer-mediated communication (CMC), can be used for out of-class communication (OCC) by first year students and their lecturers at a university of technology campus in Mpumalanga; and secondly, to establish whether CMC can be used to improve the English language proficiency of students. The study was conducted among a sample of first year students to discover their perceptions, attitudes and behaviour regarding the use of CMC to communicate with lecturers and as a tool to improve their English language proficiency. The study was primarily quantitative, and data collected by means of a questionnaire were triangulated with data gathered during a focus group interview. The study found that first year students generally understood the importance of out-of-class communication (OCC) but did not engage in it often. They preferred face-to-face (FtF) communication with lecturers and were unfamiliar with email. They generally did not use email or other electronic means to contact lecturers. Most students in the sample were satisfied with their English oral proficiency but regarded their writing skills as inadequate. To address the shortcomings identified, first year students should receive adequate training in CMC as well as increased access to computers.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Magister Technologiae: Language practice in the Department of Applied Languages Faculty of Humanities.
Date
2014-11-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tshwane University of Technology
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Computer mediated communication, Student-lecturer interaction, English proficiency, Higher education, Mbombela study