Learning Reading English Language at High Schools in Sydney - Research Paper Example

Evaluation of the effectiveness of using internet in learning reading English language at high schools in Sydney Introduction Learning in different levels of education has been promoted in a number of ways to try to make the learners have a good understanding of the issues at hand. High schools are not left behind in this quest as they form a basis for further leaning. Different ideas have been used to make students good learners and readers where exchange programmes, discussion groups are examples among many others. However, the internet has provided an opportunity which had not been experienced before and has taken the aspect of learning a notch higher. According to Corey, C (2006), the internet is a formidable tool which has led to the growth of the knowledge base like no other means before it. In this regard, this proposal will dwell much on the effectiveness of using internet in fostering English learning and reading in high school in Sydney, Australia. This study is important as it will try to show whether the most used means of communication and information sharing can have a significant contribution towards better grades in high schools. Further, it will leave the option of using other means of learning to the schools incase it doesn’t have any impact. Research questions This research study will aim at answering the following questions; Is internet being used by students to aid them in learning and understanding English? If so, are the grades improving, going down or stagnant? What is the opinion of the teachers and parents concerning internet use by students, What is better? Using internet or not. Background and Literature Review According to James, J. (2000), the Internet is a new and an expanding tool for learning which if well utilized according to the intended needs then it can transform the world to a global village in terms of knowledge and learning skills. To him, a study done on the effectiveness of the internet in learning had no significant reason as to why it should not be believed to be a tool which is effective. To Vargo, J (2007), internet technologies provide a sound foundation on which to build more effective and efficient educational programmes which can enhance students learning and understanding what they are learning. Internet in its capacity as a tool is like a ripple on the surface of education in that, it offers an intellectual challenge which can be said to be an educational history of the whole mankind (Arsham, H 2007). According to him, the importance of internet in education system and in particular the use of the Web is a well known fact. In the internet according to Arsham, H (2007), a wealth of resources as well as techniques do exist which act as sources of both new practices and easily accessible methods which can be adopted for the various formats learning and understanding. According to him further, the internet technology allows students keep up with their minds while letting them try their ideas once they come up with them. In general, students should appreciate the convenience as well as the choice and the flexibility that is there online in addition to the consistency and the reduced costs that is associated with it. According to Linda, A. J (2006), a study done in 2002 showed that student who used internet in their day to day learning process had improved grades than those who did not use it. To him this is clearly explained by the fact that, the internet has a lot of information from which students can get ideas from. These ideas add up to the existing knowledge which they are given by their teachers and parents to better their results. Arsham H. (2004) supports Linda’s assertion by pointing out that, the importance of internet in learning and understanding has led to the coming up of so many universities offering online courses and programmes. To him, this is possible due to the fact that, the internet is a cooperate of the programmes and while in the internet free education material is available and the others provided by the teachers which make a student able to pass and attain what the others in classrooms are able to achieve. The presence of internet aided computers is a plus at home and is seen as a strong predictor of the grades one gets. According to Arsham H. (2003), with other factors like family income level and the school one attends, the availability of a computer at home which is well connected makes a student to perform better in both reading and learning skills. He uses an example of a study which was carried out with students from various backgrounds who had a computer in the vicinity and which was connected. The results are evident that, those from families with internet had good reading and learning grades than their counterparts. According to Jackson, L.A (2001), families who have noticed the importance of internet use in their children learning and reading have ranked it as one of the top priorities. Jackson argues that, the importance of internet in education has one of the largest gaps in digital divide. To him, this has been occasioned by the fact that, some places internet is used to better performance while in others it is used for other purposes; often referred to as civilized education by some parents. Grades in schools are nowadays used to review a school. In this regard as Trapscott, D. (1998) asserts, schools have been in the forefront in determining what should be added in schools and for the students to aid them in learning and reading. One of the aspects of learning which has received accolades in schools is the introduction of internet. To Broadbent B. (2002), this has completely changed the way parents view schools where they will take their children to school. Further, adverts about the different schools are based on the facilities present in that school which should be of better use to ensure good grades. However, despite the goodness of internet in ensuring better grades, it has also led to other behaviours which are not good for the young. According to Norris, P (2001), the internet has caused huge privacy rifts no experienced before. Methodology The research study will have both a control group and the study group. The control group will be made up of students who will not be using internet or who have never used it in learning while the research group will have those who will use internet during the research study. Further, parents and teachers will have their opinion sought to determine whether the use of internet has their full backing. Sample size Both the control group and the research group will each be required to produce 50 students, thus a total of 100 students will be required. Further some 50 parents and 50 teachers will be required for the study since their opinion will count in analyzing the effectiveness of internet use in learning English. Students, parents and teachers will be randomly selected to reduce the element of biasness. Likewise, gender will be taken care of since for any research study to attain the required scientific rigor then both males and females should be participating equally. Research design and Data Collection Due to the exploratory nature of the study, a qualitative approach will be used to gather data through questionnaires and through assignments that the students will be required to complete. Demographic information will be gathered using a questionnaire. Information like sex, age etc. falls in this category. After they have given out this information which will be for administrative purposes only, they will then be put into two separate groups, the control and the research study group and members of the control group will be given the identity number 1 while the research study group will have the number 2. The research study group will be required to be exposed to internet while the control group will be kept away form internet for a period of time. Thereafter, an English test will be administered to both groups and then marked and the marks recorded using the unique IDs (1 & 2). A questionnaire will be administered to the parents and the teachers to give their opinion on what they think about the internet. Questions like the ones below will be on the questionnaire; Do you think internet is good in fostering learning of English in high schools? In your opinion, are the grades better or worse? Will you recommend internet use in learning English? Data Analysis The data from the questionnaires will first be coded and then input into a computer. Marks from the English test will also be entered and then SPSS will be used to analyze the data. Frequencies will first be used to show the data representation and whether validity and reliability is achieved before anything else. T-test will be used to compare the means of the marks to see the difference. Tables, graphs and charts will be used as they provide a bird’s eye view of the teachers/parents opinions such that even non-statisticians will understand what is happening. Ethical Considerations Since this study will have human beings as the participants, the following issues will be considered; Participants will be given a consent form to fill before taking part, They will allowed to take part freely, Information security will be maximum, Participants will be allowed to qui the study if they felt like, Benefits of participating will be available to each if any, No participant will be allowed to see the marks of another but his/hers. Assumptions The following will be assumed, All participants will stay until the end of the research study, Demographic information about the participants will be correct, The data collected will be assumed to be normally distributed, Analyzed data will from a good basis for the generalizability of information. Limitations The following are the anticipated problems, Lack of able time, Problem with the English test setting, Some questionnaire not filled. Table 1: Schedule Activity W1 W2 W3 W4 Questionnaire design Test-retest (piloting) Sample determination Data collection Data analysis Report writing Reference Arsham, H (2007). Interactive Education: Impact of the Internet on Learning & Teaching. Journal of the United States Distance Learning Association, Vol. 16, No. 2, 2002 Arsham H. (2003). Tapping Into E-Learning: An Interview. The Military Officer Magazine, 1(1), 12-15 Arsham H. (2004). Teaching an Online Course - The Debriefing: Dr. Arsham. The E-Learning Post. Broadbent B. (2002). ABCs of E-Learning: Reaping the Benefits and Avoiding the Pitfalls. Jossey-Bass Pub. Corey, C (2006). Internet Connections Growing Fastest in Africa. Retrieved April 17, 2008, from: http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/Archive/2006/Apr/28-229950.html Jackson, L.A (2001). The racial digital divide: Motivational, Affective and cognitive correlates of internet use. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, V. 31 James, J. (2000).Effectiveness of internet training for child caregivers. 09 May 9, 2008. http://ecti.hbg.psu.edu/docs/publication/ccitarticle2.doc Linda, A. J (2006). Does home internet use influence academic performance? Developmental Psychology, 42 (3) Norris, P (2001). Digital divide: Civic engagement, Information poverty and the internet worldwide. New York: Cambridge University Press Pew Internet and American Life Project (2002). The digital disconnect: The widening gap between internet savvy students and their schools. May 08, 2008. http://www.pewiinternet.org Trapscott, D. (1998). Growing Up Digital: The rise of the next generation. New York: McGraw-Hill Vargo, J (2007). Evaluating the effectiveness of Internet delivered coursework. 09 May 9, 2008. http://ausweb.scu.edu.au/proceedings/vargo/paper.html Read More