A SURVEY ON UTM TESL UNDERGRADUATES READING PREFERENCE: BETWEEN HYPERTEXTS AND BOOKS

Transcription

1 A SURVEY ON UTM TESL UNDERGRADUATES READING PREFERENCE: BETWEEN HYPERTEXTS AND BOOKS DAYANG MAS MULIANY BINTI ABANG ABU BAKAR UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

2 ii 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 Malaysia 2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja. 3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan tesis ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi 4. **Sila tandakan ( ) SULIT TERHAD TIDAK TERHAD (Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub didalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972 ) (Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan dimana penyelidikan dijalankan) Disahkan oleh (TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (TANDATANGAN PENYELIA) Alamat Tetap: Nama Penyelia 1192 BELAKANG MASJID MUTTAQIN, PUAN ADLINA ABDUL SAMAD JALAN DATO LUNDANG, 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)

3 iii 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

4 iv 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

5 v 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

6 vi 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.

7 vii 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.

8 viii 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.

9 ix 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 bukubuku. 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 pelajarpelajar 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.

10 x 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

11 xi 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction Background of the study Statement of Problem Significance of the Research Research Objectives Research Questions The Scope of the study Definition of terminologies LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction Views related to the study Computer Assisted Language Learning Information Technology Hypertext Theory Previous Research Conclusion 26

12 xii 3 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction Respondents of the study Instruments Research Procedures Data Analysis Conclusion 30 4 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 4.0 Introduction Analysis and findings of the questionnaires Findings on respondents background information Findings on respondents views on Hypertext and books Findings on qualitative data Discussions CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Introduction Conclusion Recommendations Future Research REFERENCES APPENDIX A 68-71

13 xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ABBREVIATION FULL DESCRIPTION SHL 3562 SHL 4572 SHL 4222 TESL UTM CALL ICT L2 IT Computer Assisted Language Learning I Computer Assisted Language Learning Teaching Macro Skills in Tesl Teaching English as Second Language Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Computer Assisted Language Learning Information Communication Technology Second Language Information Technology

14 xiv LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE Percentages on Respondents gender Percentages on Respondents age Percentages on Respondents Cgpa Respondents highest percentages Scale from question 1 until question Respondents highest percentages Scale from question 10 until question Percentages on Respondents preference Percentages on the strengths of Hypertexts Percentages on the weaknesses of Hypertexts 44

15 xv LIST OF TABLES TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE 2.2 The benefits of IT to the students The benefits of IT to the institution The benefits of IT to the institution Likert s Scale The relationship between mean and the rating scale Findings on Respondents view about Hypertexts and books Computer attacks and the preventive actions 51-55

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17 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.

18 2 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).

19 3 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.

20 4 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.

21 5 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

22 6 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 the research: These are the terminologies that would be often used throughout 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) 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 CALL

23 7 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 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) 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).

24 Glosses Hypertexts Glosses Hypertext in this study is defined as the text interface that provides popup vocabulary definitions Controlled hypertext Controlled Hypertext in this study is defined as the text interface that provides predetermined and limited number of texts on the topic 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 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.

25 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 Text Text in this study is defined as any printed texts or reading materials such as books, journals, magazines, newspapers and etc.