scholarly journals The Utilisation of Duolingo to Enhance the Speaking Proficiency of EFL Secondary School Students in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Sultan R Alfuhaid
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Intrinsic Factor ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Valid Comparison

Even though Saudi EFL students devote multiple years to improving their English-speaking proficiency, they struggle to achieve fluency. The present study, however, focuses on investigating the effectiveness of using Duolingo in EFL classrooms to enhance the participants’ speaking proficiency. The participants who underwent this study were 28 male Saudi students studying in secondary school, namely at Sharia Institute. They were divided into control and experimental groups. Data was collected via post-test to conduct a valid comparison between the two groups. The 14 students in the experimental group had been using Duolingo for a period of four consecutive months while the participants in the control group have never used Duolingo. To make a valid comparison of the mean score between the two groups, an independent samples t-test was used in this experiment. After analysing the results, it has been concluded that the integration of Duolingo in the learning process has a fundamental positive impact on enhancing participants’ speaking proficiency as well as improving their overall language skills. Additionally, the participants’ positive attitude towards Duolingo was an intrinsic factor that helped alleviate their anxiety when speaking.  

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Cognitive Restructuring in the Management of Mathophobia Among Secondary School Students in Khana L.G.A of Rivers State, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (32) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
Ernest-Ehibudu Ijeoma Regina ◽  
Wayii Augustine Lezorgia
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Cognitive Restructuring ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
And Control

This study was developed and conducted to test the effect of cognitive restructuring in the management of mathophobia (that is, Mathematics anxiety) among secondary school students in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. To guide the study, two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated for testing at 0.05 level of significance. In executing the study, the pre-test, post-test, and control group experimental research design was adopted using a randomized sample of 120 SS2 students drawn from three public secondary schools only. The researchers developed an instrument titled “Mathematics Diagnostic Questionnaire” (MDQ) which was adequately assessed for validity and reliability and was used in collecting pre-test and post-test data for the cognitive restructuring and control groups. Data analysis was done using mean, and standard deviation for the research questions, while independent sample and paired sample t-test were used for the hypotheses. The result obtained showed that the cognitive restructuring was significantly effective in the management of mathophobia among secondary school students. There is a slight reduction in the effect of cognitive restructuring during follow-up; there is a statistical significant difference in the mathophobic level of students treated with cognitive restructuring and those in the control group. Based on the major findings, recommendations were made among which is that functional guidance and counselling centers be established at all educational levels and be manned by professional counsellors who are competent in cognitive restructuring techniques to assist those who have mathophobia and other maladaptive behaviours. Suggestions for further study were made.

scholarly journals Can Explicit Written Corrective Feedback Develop Grammatical and Lexical Accuracy of Saudi EFL Learners?

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahla Al-Hazzani ◽  
Sultan Altalhab
Keyword(s):  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Written Corrective Feedback ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Made In

Saudi students encounter many problems in writing skill as several studies revealed (e.g. Alhazmi, 2006; Alsamdani, 2010). Providing effective and useful feedback may help to overcome these challenges. Therefore, this study examines the effect of teachers’ written corrective feedback on female Saudi EFL students’ written essays and to what extent it affects students’ written grammatical and lexical accuracy. The sample comprises 50 foundation level students, across two groups: an experimental group (n=29) and a control group (n=21). Data were gathered over a 10-week period using a pre-/post-test/delayed post-test design for comparable groups. The findings show that although many errors were made in the writing performances, the students in the experimental group had significantly better achievements than the students in the control group on the measure. The results lend support to the efficiency of teachers’ written corrective feedback, showing it has a significant positive effect on the participants’ grammatical and lexical accuracy.

INTEGRATION OF ICT IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION – CASE STUDY ON THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1077-1087
Author(s):  
Alami Anouar
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Greenhouse Effect ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Test Methodology ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Experimental Group

This article deals with methods for teaching secondary school students about the greenhouse effect. The research question is addressed in a didactic context using ICT. Our experiment used a pre-test and post-test methodology, in which we compared the learning outcomes of two groups of students: experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Both groups followed the same teaching on the greenhouse effect during a Life and Earth Sciences (LES) class. Our study involved introduction of the following differentiation for the two groups of students: CG received explanations, accompanied by a theoretical presentation of the experiment to demonstrate the greenhouse effect. The students were then presented with the theoretical results. EG used a computer simulation of the same experiment on the greenhouse effect and interpreted the results. At post-test, the experimental group (EG) demonstrated a better understanding of the mechanisms of the greenhouse effect than the control group (CG), and scored better on questions related to infrared radiation as a result of global warming. This has been confirmed by a statistical test of homogeneity. However, on the other questions about the nature and consequences of the greenhouse effect, including on behavior advocated for the protection of the environment, we found no significant differences. Moreover, the students in both groups only proposed actions in response to the consequences of human activity and did not propose actions to respond to the consequences of natural origin. We therefore conclude that computer simulation of the greenhouse effect experiment, accompanied by further scientific interpretation, constitutes a "good didactic situation" to instill a more global understanding of the greenhouse effect.

Effect of Peace Interventions on Students’ Peacebuilding Attitudes at Secondary School Level

2021 ◽  
pp. 35-51
Author(s):  
Sadia Shaukat ◽  
Kiran Shahzadi ◽  
Umme-Farwa ◽  
Samina Safdar
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Peace Building ◽  
School Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

It is the need of the hour to incorporate peace promotion as one of the significant features of the educational institutions in Pakistan. The present study explores the impact of a peace promotion intervention, with control and experimental groups, in order to understand if specific planned activities can significantly improve the peacebuilding attitudes of students. The study is experimental in nature, administering a pre-test and a post-test for both the control and experimental groups. Two equal samples (n=69) of 10th-grade (secondary school) students were selected — using a random sampling technique — for the control and experimental groups. The results of this study indicated that peace interventions — comprising games, hands-on activities, and dialogues — contributed significantly to improving the peace-building attitudes of the students in the experimental group. In addition, the female students of the experimental group exhibited a greater improvement in their peace building attitudes in the post-test phase as compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, the study also reveals that the female students in the control group also depicted improvement in the post-test. This research presents implications for policymakers and educationists that need to be considered when introducing peace promotion activities into the (secondary) school curriculum. This article argues that practical activities — targeted to inculcate peaceful behavior in the students — can serve as important tools in establishing an environment of peace in society in general.

scholarly journals The Potential of RAFT Strategy for Improving Jordanian EFL Students' Creative Writing

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Na'ela Jumah Al-Mahdawi ◽  
Oqla Mahmoud Al-Smadi
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Creative Writing ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group

<p class="body-paragraph">This study examines the potential effect of RAFT strategy on Jordanian EFL Eleventh-grade students' creative writing. A sample of Eleventh-grade students was purposefully selected from a secondary school in Irbid. The experimental group (n=25) was taught using a RAFT strategy whereas the control group (n= 25) was taught conventionally based on Teacher Book of Action Pack 11. For data collection, a creative writing pre/post- test was used. The findings reveal statistically significant differences in students’ means scores in the creative writing post test, in favor of the experimental group which may be attributed to RAFT strategy.</p>

scholarly journals Effect Of Kolawole’s Problem-Solving Teaching Strategy On The Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students In Mathematics In Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-77
Author(s):  
Olofin S. O. ◽  
E. B. Kolawole
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Teaching Strategy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test

The study examined the effects of Kolawole’s Problem Solving (KPS) teaching strategy on the academic performance of secondary school students in Mathematics in Nigeria. Specifically, the study was designed to ascertain which of the strategies (KPS or conventional) would be the more effective in the teaching of Mathematics. The study also investigated the difference in the academic performance of students exposed to KPS strategy in three geo-political zones of Nigeria. Quasi – experimental pre-test and post-test two group design (one experimental group and one control group) was used in the study. The sample consisted of 562 S.S.S. 2 students drawn from eighteen public secondary schools in three geo-political zones of Nigeria. The sample was selected using multistage sampling procedure. Performance Test in Mathematics (PTM) was used to collect relevant data for this study. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that the two groups (KPS and Conventional) were homogeneous at the commencement of the experiment. Also, there was significant difference in the post-test mean score of students exposed to KPS and conventional strategies in favour of students exposed to KPS strategy. Furthermore, there was difference in students’ performance in Mathematics when exposed to KPS based on their geo-political zones. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that the use of KPS strategy should be encouraged in Mathematics class in secondary schools so as to enhance better academic performance of students in Mathematics.

Using Plickers in Formative Assessment to Augment Student Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-76
Author(s):  
Zuhrieh A. Shana ◽  
Sara Abd Al Baki
Keyword(s):  
Formative Assessment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Low Achievers ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Student Progress ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of this quasi-experimental research is to investigate the effectiveness of formative assessment on the progress of private elementary school students. 77 students (33 girls and 44 boys) were split into two groups. The experimental group used an app called the Plickers app daily and was further divided by gender into two groups, while the control group used a revision sheet as a formative assessment. Student progress was assessed by comparing the mean scores of a pre-test to those of a post-test taken after one week of using the formative assessment tools. The results indicate that both formative assessment tools help improve student progress. However, the Plickers App had a greater positive impact than the revision sheet. Further, greater improvement was displayed by girls compared to boys. The researchers concluded that continuous usage of Plickers in classes can help promote positive students' perception, improve performance, and reduce gaps between high and low achievers.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF CONTEXT-BASED QUESTIONS ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ TEST ANXIETY AND SCIENCE ATTITUDE

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-226
Author(s):  
Namudar İzzet Kurbanoğlu ◽  
Fatma Koç Nefes
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Science Attitude ◽  
Attitudes Towards Science ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Equivalent Control

The context-based questions have promise and potential to reduce the test anxiety of students and improve their attitudes towards science. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of context-based questions on test anxiety and science attitude of students. The research design employed was a quasi-experimental equivalent control group with a pre-test and post-test design. Samples were 70 secondary school students, selected from the 185 seventh grade students at a public school in Turkey. Test Anxiety and Science Attitude Scales were used to measure their test anxiety and attitude towards science, respectively. The results of the data analysis indicated that the context-based questions significantly reduced the test anxiety of the students in the experimental group and improved their attitudes towards science. In contrast, the conventional questions increased the test anxiety of the control group students, but no significant effect in science attitude was found among them. Further, the results showed that there was a relationship between the pre- and post-test scores of the test anxiety and science attitude of both the experimental and control groups. Key words: attitudes, context-based questions, conventional questions, secondary school students, test anxiety.

scholarly journals Effect of Brainstorming Technique on Study Habit among Secondary School Students in Anambra and Enugu States

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
L. I. Akunne ◽  
A. Anyamene
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Study Habit ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Senior Secondary

Aims: The general purpose of this study is to determine the effect of brainstorming techniques on secondary students study habit. Study Design: The study adopted the quasi-experimental (pre-test-post-test control group) design. Place and Duration of Study: 800 senior secondary school II students from Anambra State and Enugu State of Nigeria, between February 2019 and August 2019. Methodology: This study on effect of brainstorming technique on secondary school students study habit adopted the quasi-experimental research design, more specifically the non-randomized pre-test – post test control group design. Quasi-experimental study is a type of experimental study that determines the effect of a treatment paradigm on a non-randomized sample. The sample for the study was 800 senior secondary schools students (350 male and 450 female). The study habit inventory questionnaire with a reliability index of .897 was used in data collection. Mean and standard deviation was used in answering the research questions while ANOVA was used in testing the null hypothesis. Results: At 0.05 level of significance, the analysis of the data collected revealed a mean gain of 38.13 between the control and experimental groups, and a difference in mean gain of 4.61 for male and female students. This indicates that brainstorming was more effective for the experimental group and further shows that the effect differs with respect to gender. The findings revealed there was no difference in the mean post test scores of students who received treatment using brainstorming technique and those in the control group (p = 0.416, 0.05) also there was a significant difference in the mean post test scores of male and female secondary school students (p=0.026, 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that brainstorming technique is effective for improving secondary school students study habit.

scholarly journals Fostering EFL Students’ Paragraph Writing Using Edmodo

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Nuha Abdullah Alsmari
Keyword(s):  
Writing Skills ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
College Level ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Writing Class ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group

The present study sought to investigate the effect of using Edmodo, a Web 2.0 tool, as a supportive blended learning tool in developing EFL Saudi students&rsquo; paragraph writing skills at Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz University, KSA. Eighty students majoring in English at the college level one participated in the study. The participants were randomly selected for an experimental group (taught by using Edmodo) and a control group (taught without using Edmodo). Two main tools were devised to collect data: Oxford Placement Test (OPT) and Test of Paragraph Writing Skills (TPWS). The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially by running a t-test, using SPSS 16.0, to calculate the differences between the mean scores of the two groups pre- and post-intervention. The results showed statistically significant differences in the post-test in favor of the experimental group. Integrating Edmodo into the writing class was found to be highly beneficial in developing EFL students&rsquo; writing abilities, up to paragraph level. The use of Edmodo also enriched students&rsquo; knowledge and increased their motivation to learn.

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