2016 International Conference on Mechanical, Control, Electric, Mechatronics, Information and Computer (MCEMIC 2016) ISBN: 978-1-60595-352-6 Effectiveness of Electronic Dictionary in College Students English Learning Xiuling Wu, Dapeng Huang and Ruping Cao ABSTRACT The study investigates on college students attitude towards electronic dictionary, the reason why they use electronic dictionary, electronic dictionary advantages and disadvantages by comparing with traditional printed dictionary, and how to improve effectiveness of electronic dictionary in English learning. By analyzing the data got through a questionnaire released on line we found that a vast majority of college students use electronic dictionaries in their English learning. But most of them use it in a simple way, i.e. to use it just to find out the meaning of a new word. To improve the effectiveness of electronic dictionary using needs the joint efforts of the governments, the educators and students themselves. KEYWORD: investigation, effectiveness, electronic dictionary, college students, English learning. INTRODUCTION With the development of economy and technology, electronic dictionary plays an important role in college students English learning because of its convenience, quick search, and powerful capability. Traditional printed dictionary gradually fades out of life, for it is inconvenient to carry and hard to search. This paper is not only to show the usage of electronic dictionary in college students English learning, and advantages and disadvantages of electronic dictionaries, but also to guide students to better use of the electronic dictionary and improve the effectiveness of the electronic dictionary in college students English learning. Xiuling WU,Dapeng HUANG,Ruping CAO. Department of Foreign Language, Gannan Medical University. 135
METHODOLOGY Investigation and reflection on effectiveness of electronic dictionary in college students English learning were made by questionnaire. Questionnaires were offered to college students in different places on line to collect information about reasons that so many college students choose electronic dictionary, disadvantages of electronic dictionary and measures on improving effectiveness of electronic dictionary in college students English learning. Beside Questionnaire survey, comparative analysis was also used to compare electronic dictionary with traditional printed dictionary, then the conclusion about how to promote the effectiveness of electronic dictionary in college students English learning was drawn. RESULT AND ANALYSIS The Present Situation of Using Electronic Dictionary in College Students English Learning Table 1. Which one you d like to use in your English learning, electronic dictionary or traditional printed dictionary? Electronic Dictionary 187 94.45 Traditional Printed Dictionary 9 4.55 At present, with the rise of model electronic dictionary market, more and more students use electronic dictionary. Electronic dictionary tends to replace the traditional printed dictionary as the preferred query tool. We handed out questionnaires online and took back 198 valid questionnaires. From table 1, it can be found that 95.45% of the respondents were willing to use electronic dictionary in their English learning, while only 4.55% preferred traditional printed dictionary. It shows that most college students use electronic dictionary in their English learning. In this regard, we should pay enough attention to the present situation in college students English learning and remind learners of using electrical dictionary appropriately in English learning. A good electronic dictionary does not guarantee to improve the learning efficiency and learning effect. The key lies on how to make good use of electronic dictionary Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Dictionary Table 2. What s the advantage of the electronic dictionary compared to traditional printed dictionary? (multiple choices). Easy to carry with small 117 59.09 volume Synchronous update with 138 69.70 more word storage Multi-function 126 63.64 136
There are many reasons that traditional printed dictionary gradually withdraws from our life while electronic dictionary infiltrates our life with brand-new posture. Table 2 shows that most respondents think electronic dictionary is easy to carry for its small volume, and it is fast query. Compared traditional printed dictionary, electronic dictionary has bigger word storage with the function of synchronous update. Table 3. What s the disadvantage of the electronic dictionary compared to traditional printed dictionary? (multiple choices) High price 75 37.88 Less entry 87 43.94 Interpretation and examples are not authoritative enough 150 75.76 Every Coin has two sides. Compared with traditional printed dictionary, electronic dictionary has its disadvantages. Table 3 shows most respondents believe the interpretation and examples are not authoritative enough. Another demerit of electronic dictionary is less entry. We often find the number of entry in electronic dictionary is less than that in traditional print dictionary. For saving memory of electronic dictionary, electronic dictionary designers and producers will remove some uncommon and less important entries in their eyes, such as some words contain special cultural meaning, some details of a word. We can find in table 3 that only 37.88% respondents believe high price is one of disadvantages of electronic dictionary for getting an electronic dictionary is not big problem with the improved living standard. Reasons and Purpose The problem we most care about is the objectives and reasons of using electronic dictionary in English learning. The following table shows us that the majority of college students use electronic dictionary when they encounter new words. Their purpose of using electronic dictionary is mainly to find out the meaning of a word. Only 37.88% of respondents are to find out the usage of a word by using electronic dictionary. In short, they study for the sake of study. However, electronic dictionary constantly updated, students shouldn t only use electronic dictionary in a single way. Table 4. The objectives and reasons of using electronic dictionary in English learning (multiple choices). When encounter new 186 93.94 words To find the pronunciation 111 56.06 To find the collocation To find the meaning 75 67 37.88 68.18 Aspects of Using Electronic Dictionary Table 5. In what aspect do you often use electronic dictionary in English learning? (multiple choices). Reading 141 71.21 Writing 63 31.82 Translation 141 71.21 Communication 33 16.67 Exercise 162 81.82 137
From table 5, we find that most students use electronic dictionary while reading and translating, accounted for 71.21% respectively. The majority (81.82%) use electronic dictionary when they are doing exercises, but only 16.67% of students use electronic dictionary when they are talking with others. From the data we know that students rarely use electronic dictionary in talking and writing which require students use words actively and accurately with cultural connotation. It s true that electronic dictionary brings convenience in reading, translation and exercise doing, but it is not everything. So the use of electronic dictionary should be combined with traditional printed dictionary which bring us the usage and cultural background of a word. Bad Effects Table 6. The bad effects of excessive dependence on electronic dictionary in the English learning.( multiple choices). Learn but master of none 99 50 Develop bad habits 102 51.52 Weaken learning ability 180 90.91 The excessive use of electronic dictionary causes plenty of bad effects. From the physiological point of view, the long-term use of the electronic dictionary will cause damage to the eyes. The screen of electronic dictionary does harm to vision. Beside physiological damage, the excessive use of electronic dictionary affects learning. It can be found in table 90.91% respondents believe that the excessive use of electronic dictionary weakens learning ability. It reduces the training of guessing word strategy. In fact, some advantages of electronic dictionary like quick query will weaken the learners' vocabulary memory and even develop inert psychology. Half of respondents think the excessive use of electronic dictionary make them learn but master of none, for lots of students use electronic dictionary just to look up the meaning of a word and they often do not try to remember it. When they come across the word again they will do the same thing again. 51.52% students believe the excessive use of electronic dictionary develop bad habits because students enjoy quick and convenient electronic dictionary, which is bound to get into the bad habit of greed fast. Some students focus too much on entertainment function of electronic dictionary, and violate electronic dictionary s original intention of development and purchase. So, electronic dictionary should not be overused as an auxiliary tool in English learning. Strategies of Improving the Effectiveness of Using Electronic Dictionary The last question in the questionnaire: how to reduce the bad effects and improve the effectiveness of electronic dictionary in English learning? Respondents put forward many different answers. Three main aspects should be improved include educators, students themselves, and society. First, the government should make the production of electronic dictionary standardized. There are diverse types of electronic dictionary in the market, good or bad. Some unscrupulous manufacturers produce substandard electronic dictionary in order to save the cost. Some remove some uncommon and less important 138
entries. So the policy that requires manufacturers to produce standard electronic dictionary should be established. Second, educators should guide students to use electronic dictionaries properly. In fact, the process of guiding students to use electronic dictionary is like teaching a man to fish. Educators should have a comprehensive understanding of related knowledge of dictionary and know basic characteristics of traditional printed dictionary and electronic dictionary. Then, educators should encourage students to use electronic dictionary with traditional printed dictionary at the same time according to the advantages and disadvantages of this two kinds of dictionaries. After the use of electronic dictionary in reading, class or other tight situation, educators should warn students try looking up traditional printed dictionary after class in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the target word, thus the students can understand and use the word correctly. It is necessary for educators to encourage students to know the words English notes in traditional printed dictionary after knowing the words Chinese notes in electronic dictionary, which can create a good learning habit. Last, it is most important for students themselves to learn to use electronic dictionary rationally. College students should select an authoritative electronic dictionary first. After students have an electronic dictionary, they should learn to be self-control. It is necessary for college students to use electronic dictionary reasonably according to its advantages and disadvantages and improve their ability to use electronic dictionary. For example, pronunciation function and new word storage function of electronic dictionary should be better used. When you finish with a new word, you can save the word in word book of electronic dictionary, and you can review and consolidate the word every now and then. As for attitude towards electronic dictionary, college students must be sure not to rely on electronic dictionary too much. For instance, some meaning of the new words needn t have to look up electronic dictionary, and they can be guessed according to the context. When it is necessary, electronic dictionary should be used together with traditional printed dictionary, for traditional print dictionary explains in more detailed. CONCLUSION 95.45% of respondents in English learning prefer to electronic dictionary. Thus, the function of electronic dictionary in English learning can not be ignored. The ability to use electronic dictionary is a concrete manifestation of English learning ability. Dictionary is important for college students to cultivate selflearning ability. The use of the electronic dictionary in English learning is worthy of our consideration and exploration. To improve the effectiveness of the electronic dictionary in college students English learning needs the joint efforts of the government, the educators and college students themselves. REFERENCES 1. Chen Y. 2010. Dictionary Use and EFL Learning: A Contrative Study of Pocket Electronic. Dictionaries and Paper Dictionaries. International Journal of Lexicography (3): 275-306. 2. De Schryver G.M. 2003. Lexicographers' Dreams in the Electronic-dictionary Age. International Journal of Lexicography (2): 143-199. 139
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