Attitudes of Thai EFL Learners toward the Use of Blogs

1. Attitudes of Thai EFL Learners toward the Use of Blogs Pongthorn Asawaniwed Atipat Boonmoh, Ph.D.

2. Overview • Introduction • Methodology • Data Presentation & Interpretation • Recommendations • References • Q&A Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

3. Introduction • The rationale of this study Digital age Digital native Time spent on the Internet Styles of learning Change for difference Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

4. Introduction • Research question • What are students’ attitudes toward writing on blogs? Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

5. Methodology • Participants • Level: First-year undergraduate students N=39 • Fields of study: Electrical Engineering & Production Technology Education • Course: LNG 102 English Skills and Strategies Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

6. Methodology • Main instrument The students’ reflection of experience doing writing tasks/assignments on a web-based application. N = 35 • Supportive instruments • Four required assignments • Free posting entries Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

7. Methodology • Procedure • Stage 1 • Stage 2 Creating and designing a blog on .com Planning Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

8. Methodology • Procedure • Stage 3: • Stage 4: Explaining the instructions and encouraging students to write Collecting data Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

9. Methodology • Data analysis 1) Identifying keywords that reflect the students’ attitude or feedback about blogging. Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

10. Methodology • Data analysis (cont.) 2) Categorizing the keywords into two main categories: Positive and Negative. Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

11. Methodology • Data analysis (cont.) • Determining the factors, based on the keywords, that may indicate the students’ attitude toward the use of blogs. Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

12. Data Presentation & Interpretation • Assignments (required entries) = 4 • Your opinion about online-based writing compared to paper-based writing • Your thoughts about the performance of Jade Richards’ audition in the X Factor • Your interest(s) e.g., sports, music, technology and photography • Free topic that you would like to share Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

13. Data Presentation & Interpretation Table 1: Statistics for minimum requirement (assignments) Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

14. Data Presentation & Interpretation Table 2: Extra posting analysis Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

15. Data Presentation & Interpretation Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

16. Data Presentation & Interpretation • Attitudes toward blogging Negative Boring Technical problems Language and Computer literacy Laziness Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

17. Data Presentation & Interpretation Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

18. Discussion & Recommendations Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

19. References • Bakar, N. A., Latif, H., & Ya'acob, A. (2010). ESL Students Feedback on the Use of Blogs for Language Learning. The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 16(1), 120-141. • Fageeh, A. I. (2011). EFL Learners’ Use of Blogging for Developing Writing Skills and Enhancing Attitudes towards English Learning: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Language and Literature, 2(1), 31-48. • Huffaker, D. (2005). The Educated Blogger: Using Weblogs to Promote Literacy in the Classroom. AACE Journal, 13(2), 91-98. • Montero-Fleta, B., & Pérez-Sabater, C. (2010). A Research on Blogging as a Platform to Enhance Language Skills. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2, 773-777. • Noytim, U. (2010). Weblogs Enhancing EFL Students’ English Language Learning. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2, 1127-1132. • Pinkman, K. (2005). Using Blogs in the Foreign Language Classroom: Encouraging Learner Independence. JALT CALL, 1(1), 12-24. • Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6. • Top, E., Yukselturk, E., & Inan, A. F. (2010). Reconsidering Usage of Blogging in Preservice Teacher Education Courses. Internet and Higher Education, 13, 214-217. Asawaniwed & Boonmoh

20. Thank youQ&A Asawaniwed & Boonmoh