The Effectiveness of Ict-Mediated Instruction in the Teaching of Grammar

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Many language researchers have been urging teachers to use Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in teaching. They claimed that ICTs have the potential to accelerate, enrich and deepen skills to motivate and engage students but apparently, not in all topics. Since it has been observed that students' interest in learning, especially grammar has diminished through the years, we were challenged to embark on a study that aims to determine the effectiveness of ICT-mediated instruction in the teaching of grammar. Specifically, this study, guided by the theories of constructivism, behaviorism, and the theory of multimedia learning, seeks to find out if there is any significant difference between the use of ICT-mediated instruction and the traditional method in the teaching of grammar.

METHODS

Two groups of grade 9 students in Kaong National High School participated in this quasi-experimental study. Each group is composed of 40 participants. Both groups were taught the same grammar lesson. The first group was taught using ICT-mediated instruction such as power point presentation, audio-video presentation, interactive drills, and activities, while the second group was taught with the traditional method of teaching employing only the use of chalk and board. After which, the respondents were asked to apply their knowledge of the rules that were discussed by answering a ten-item written activity. To find the significant difference between ICT-mediated instruction and the traditional method in teaching grammar, the two-tailed t-test was used.

RESULTS

The result showed that there was no significant difference between ICT-mediated instruction and the traditional method of teaching grammar. It is found out that both students who were taught with ICT-mediated instruction and the traditional method perform well in grammar classes.

DISCUSSIONS

The findings show that there is no great effect of technology in teaching grammar. However, teachers should still equip themselves with the necessary tools such as preparation and competence’s should not rely solely on the use of technology but they should also have the command or the mastery of their subject matter, allied with high-quality instruction techniques and methodologies, and the art of questioning that promote higher order thinking skills; better yet, students and teachers will benefit more if both the ICT-mediated instruction and the traditional method are fused together in order to create a more effective, interactive and engaging learning experience.