An online platform for reading comprehension achievements data: A cefr-aligned system

This study reports the development of an online platform to classify and store students’ reading comprehension achievements data that are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in order to ensure that the learning process can meet the international standard while conscientiously tailored to the specific learners’ needs. The theoretical foundation of the study is the integration between instructional design (ID) and CALL frameworks. Kemp’s ID Model (cited in Morrison et al., 2010) is the basis for the software development supported by the Chun’s (2016) recent framework on Ecological CALL that is in line with CEFR practices. The basis for classification of the achievements includes selection of reading texts and development of the questions that are vetted aligning to the CEFR levels. The online platform comprises a database which integrates the information on the CEFR reading illustrative tasks and the scoring grids that would automatically sort the scores of reading comprehension tasks to the CEFR levels accordingly. The system may be able to contribute to the language teaching and learning, with a specific focus on the development of reading skills. Additionally, with the recent emphasis on CEFR, the system may be able to assist teachers to provide appropriate reading comprehension tasks to meet students’ level, and for students to map their language competency to the CEFR level

Can Multimedia Learning Tools Enhance Creative Thinking?

The increasing demand for creativity in all domains of study has made this unique construct a surviving means for individuals (Amabile, 1998) and organizations (Dhillon, 2006) which prompts the effort to prioritize creativity development and research particularly in the educational context. Moreover, technological advancement has blessed educational practitioners with the emergence of new teaching and learning tools and approaches. Transforming static learning materials into multimedia forms is an advantage of the technology which has been proven to be effective in enhancing learners' knowledge construction and understanding (Mayer, 2009). The question is whether multimedia learning tools (MLT) could further help learners in their cognitive process and think creatively. Hence, two studies were conducted to test the impact of MLT on mechanical engineering students' creative thinking. MLT on a specific subject were designed and developed, and used by the students at an engineering-based university in Malaysia. The first experiment was a one-group pretest-posttest non-randomized design involving 27 students, and the second experiment was a quasi-experimental two-group pretest posttest non-randomized design involving 64 students. The exposure to the MLT was the treatment condition. Participants' creative thinking was measured using the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), Verbal forms. Paired-samples t-test results of the first experiment showed significant differences in all elements of students' creative thinking. The results of the TTCT for the second experiment were analyzed using ANCOVA and simple linear regression. The ANCOVA results did not yield significant results. However, the regression analysis was able to predict that the variation in the creative thinking tests was higher when participants were exposed to the MLT. Most responses from the students' interviews also indicated that the MLT have positively influenced their creative thinking. Therefore, this study has shown that there is positive impact on mechanical engineering students' creative thinking when they are exposed to the use of MLT

COMPARISON OF READING ALOUD STRATEGIES VERSUS SILENT READING STRATEGIES USED ON PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ READING COMPARISON FOR READING PROFICIENCY & LITERAL READING SKILLS

Reading is the best way to give knowledge. Reading is an essential part of learning. No one can neglect its importance. There are many strategies for reading. Among them, one is silent reading strategy while another one is reading aloud strategy. Pakistan is a developing country where the English language is used as a second language because the national language is Urdu. Students’ base for English conversation and writing is poor in such condition reading aloud strategy is important especially for poor readers. No one can neglect its importance, and that is why the importance of read-aloud strategy is increasing as compared to silent reading strategy. The present study was conducted in a Pakistani university. A comparative analysis of read-aloud strategies versus silent reading strategies was done. Data was collected from M.Phil. Masters, and BS program students through questionnaires. The study is based on an experimental and questionnaires were used, the targeted sample was from English department in which 20 students and teachers of BS program were selected while 170 respondents including 100 male and 70 female were selected for the questionnaire. Findings show that read aloud strategies is better than silent reading because in Pakistan English language used as a second language. Students had shown a better response for reading aloud strategies for reading proficiency and literal reading skills.  Article visualizations

Exploring Tertiary ESL learners’ Affective Attributes Toward Online Reading

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated digitization of higher education worldwide and reading online has become vital for students to grasping new knowledge and understanding course contents. As educators, it is important to understand our students’ affective attributes towards the new normal of reading online. Within this scope, the study aims to develop a self-report instrument on affective attributes towards online reading among tertiary ESL learners, and to examine the specific affective attributes students display towards online reading. The Survey of Online Reading Affective Attributes was adapted and developed to measure tertiary ESL learners’ affective attributes towards online reading for academic and study-related purposes. This questionnaire was administered to 130 tertiary ESL learners. Principal components analysis was performed and the results confirmed the three affective factors were self-efficacy, motivation, and anxiety. In addition, the analysis of the survey data revealed that the majority of students, in general, were relatively self-efficacious, motivated, and less anxious towards online reading. However, it was discovered that nearly one-third of students were relatively anxious towards online reading and one-fifth of them were less self-efficacious. The limitations of this study and pedagogical recommendations are further discussed in this paper

Exploring the Use of Artificial Intelligence-based Technology to Enhance Creativity in ESL Speaking Classroom

This paper reports a quantitative study, which investigated the application of SpeechAce, an artificial intelligence-based platform, in English as a Second Language classrooms at a secondary school in Johor, Malaysia. The research aims to address the current challenges in enhancing speaking English proficiency and promoting creativity among 30 ESL learners. Data were collected using a pre-post-intervention assessment, student questionnaires, and classroom observations. Standardized tests, such as the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking and the TOEFL iBT, were used to assess students’ speaking skills and creativity, respectively, with the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) employed to assess students' anxiety levels. The collected data were subjected to rigorous statistical and thematic analysis. The study's findings aim to contribute to the existing literature on AI in language learning and provide actionable insights for the integration of AI technology into ESL classrooms to enhance creativity and fluency

TechTIM By CML at The National Science Week Carnival 2023

15 November 2023 – The National Science Week Carnival 2023, finally reached its last leg at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Pekan campus, on 10 – 11 November 2023. The event was organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) in a collaborative effort with Pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Pahang

Towards the Effectiveness of Utilizing ICT in Enhancing Language Learning Process: A Pilot Study

In the educational arena, technology in general and the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in particular have become one of the significant tools in enhancing language learning process. Furthermore, the support to realize Vision 2020 has inspired many language practitioners to integrate ICT into their language classes. However, many questions have arisen demanding for answers: Can ICT really enhance language learning process? How effective can it be? Can ICT change students’ attitudes towards language learning? And most importantly, what are the technological resources and tools that can be effectively utilized? In language education, these questions have provided a new dynamic field of research. On this basis, this paper will move towards uncovering the effectiveness of utilizing ICT in enhancing language learning process. This move will go beyond the conventional 'board and chalk' approach; thus, it is vital that relevant theories or models of learning are provided. ICT resources will also be identified in order to demonstrate the significance of ICT in maximizing student-centered learning (SCL) approach. Findings of research are gathered from questionnaire and interviews which are conducted in University College of Engineering & Technology Malaysia (KUKTEM), Pahang, Malaysia

English language speaking anxiety among Afghan University students

Background/purpose: English language plays an important role in Afghanistan higher education. Proficiency in English as the language of communication is becoming progressively important for the development of higher education. However, speaking in English is one of the anxiety provoking skills for most of Afghan learners. This study therefore aims to investigate Afghanistan undergraduate English and literature students' perceptions on foreign language speaking anxiety, and its components of communication apprehension (CA), fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and test anxiety (TA). Method: An adapted version of Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) and an interview protocol were used to investigate 302 Afghan students' foreign language anxiety. Results/conclusion: The findings suggested that the students experienced a moderate level of anxiety. The female students had higher level of foreign language anxiety (FLA) than male students. The study further revealed that CA was the highest factor which contribute to students' FLCAS. The study found no statistically significant differences between the university location and components of FLA. This means that the students either from Kabul as the capital or from Bamyan as a central province experienced FLA. Furthermore, the components of FLA significantly correlated to each other. The findings suggest facilitating short and long-term training for both teachers and students to employ effective strategies on reducing the level of anxiety in English language classes

EFFECTIVENESS OF READING ALOUD STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING READING HABITS

Read aloud strategy is essential; it determines the success of the future. The focus of present study was on read-aloud strategy and other reading strategies. Mainly the purpose of this study was to check the effectiveness of different reading strategies, which could be helpful at elementary level. The present study was based on reading habits of students at elementary level. The study was conducted in a Govt. Girls Elementary School Fateh Wala, Multan. Data was collected from grade 8 students. Data was collected with the help of questionnaire; pretest, posttest was also used to collect data from students. A sample size of 25 students was taken in which ten were female, and 15 male students had participated. Ten teachers also participated in this research work in which 5 were male teachers and five were female. A comparative analysis was conducted for students reading habits with reading-aloud and silent reading strategy. Atlas ti 8 updated version was used for literature review. Results include the finding that read aloud strategy is better than silent reading and other reading strategies at elementary level.  Article visualizations

Feeding Two Birds with One Scone: Using AWE to Enhance Writing and Creativity among Pre-university Students

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has redefined the practices of teaching and learning writing in academia. AI tools being so accessible to students appear to have desirable effects for self-learning, yet they are also capable of veering them off course. This paper is a pilot study to reveal the potency of employing Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE), an AI-based tool with the application of natural language processing (NLP) to analyse and generate feedback on various aspects of writing in English language writing instructions to improve writing proficiency and creative performance. Pre-test for writing and creativity were administered to eleven CEFR B1 second language learners. Upon using an AWE tool as formative assessment, post-tests and interview protocol were conducted to obtain a richer analysis of the data. The results indicate improvements in writing and creativity scores. The participants believed that the use of AWE particularly improved their writing proficiency due to these features: unlimited revision, interactivity, immediate feedback. This study serves as a springboard for writing teachers to incorporating AI tools in their writing lessons while acknowledging the potential of creativity to be stimulated in those lessons