An Experimental Study on Task-Based Interaction in Improving College Students‘ English Speaking Ability

Abstract

Abstract-Seventy-five students had been selected randomly from an institution of higher learning to predict their behavioral intentions towards using the m-learning. The study uses standard instrument to capture students' responses on the three basic constructs of technology acceptance model (TAM) that includes perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and attitude. Then data were analyzed through Smart-PLS in order to find out if PU remains the significant determinant of the attitude that in turn predicts the behavioral intention of using the m-learning technology. This model has moderate explanatory power with 38% of the variance in behavioral intention is from the attitude of the students. Based upon the conclusion, some pedagogical recommendations have been made for the relevant authorities. Index Terms-M-learning, technology acceptance model (TAM) students, technical university and Brunei Darussalam. I. INTRODUCTIONThe ubiquitous computing has now entered into the next generation from "e" (electronic) to "m" (mobile) world. This revolution in the telecommunications started with the advent of 3G of mobile telephone, then on 4G technologies that have resulted in reshaping the use of mobile phones, from making calls and sending and receiving short message (SMS) and multimedia message (MMS) to more versatile and multi-tasking instruments. Thus leads the users towards knowledge driven society. In education sector (teaching/learning) of e-learning applications and developments, the mobile phones users started enjoying the benefits through m-learning. M-learning is considered as the next generation of e-learning using mobile technologies as to facilitate educations towards teaching and learning purposes anywhere and anytime [1]. The increase of mobile phone subscribers especially in the developing world is due to the varieties of the mobile services offered by the service providers at a lower cost so the dependency of the mobile phone users have also increased. According to the latest statistics, Brunei is reported as the country with highest percent of mobile phone penetration of 115% with no of subscribers (449, 260) ile%21).With the broader users' base the use of the mobile phones has also been spread to the academic institutions. Mobile technology offers a new venue of learning for people of all ages, from anywhere and at lllanytime with tremendous benefits of flexibility, low cost, eases of use, learning support and reliable learning situations. A. Mobile-Learning in Higher EducationMobile devices are found to be much more affordable than desktop computers and therefore represent a less expensive access to the Internet (even if the cost of connection is higher) [2]. The advent of tablets (ipads) can now access mobile internet with much more functionality than desk top computers. Increasing use of mobile devices in education enhanced by having advances in mobile technology was studied [3] and [4]. Ref.[5] reported of a research that stated nine different activities students perform in higher ed...

Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT) in Asian EFL classes: Challenges and Strategies

“…Based on the study conducted by Chen and Zhang [93], to distinguish task-based interaction pedagogy and task-supported instruction approach can render teachers a clear perception of their different roles in TBLT. This accords with the category of its strong version [94] and weak version [95], the former regards tasks as the central component in syllabus design, while the latter demands tasks as communicative practice assisting the grammar-based syllabus.…”