The Attitudes of Undergraduate Students Towards Motivation and Technology in a Foreign Language Classroom (original) (raw)

The purpose of this study was to reveal the attitudes and behaviours of undergraduate students towards motivation and technology in a foreign language learning classroom. A descriptive survey research design was used to collect data through questionnaires which were formed of two sections: demographic information and 25 statements on a five point Likert scale. The questionnaires were distributed to 700 undergraduate students studying at Atatürk Education Faculty in the teaching departments. This study was carried out during the fall term of the academic year 2009-2010 at Near East University in North Cyprus. The data of the research was analysed by using the SPSS 13.0 software. After that, tables were formed with individually explanations. During the statistical analysis one-way analysis of variance and t-test were used to identify the difference between groups; the frequencies and the percentages of the statements were calculated as well. At the end of variance analysis, the difference between the groups was identified through Post Hoc LSD tests and results shown through tables of arithmetic mean, SD (standard deviation) and frequency. As a result of the analysis each statement was calculated through the average of the interval values of scale as: Strongly Agree between (4,20-5,00), Agree between(3,40-4,19), Neutral between (2,60-3,39), Disagree between (1,80-2,59) and Strongly Disagree between (1,00-1,79). Furthermore, this study was taken on board due to the insufficient use of technology; use of multi-media in the students' EFL learning environment in North Cyprus, therefore it affects the students' motivation towards technology in addition to reflecting several behavioural reactions where these may cause problems in the language learning process. The results of this study indicate that although technology may be playing an important factor in the education, participants studying EFL struggle to accept technology being integrated in their learning.