The impact of clickers instruction on cognitive loads and listening and speaking skills in college English class.

Zhonggen Yu,Jing Zheng,Yong Kong,Wentao Chen,Xiao Ling Sun,Howard Nusbaum

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106626

Abstract

Clickers might own a bright future in China if properly introduced although they have not been widely acknowledged as an effective tool to facilitate English learning and teaching in Chinese contexts. By randomly selecting participants from undergraduates in a university in China over four academic years, this study aims to identify the impact of clickers on college English listening and speaking skills, and differences in cognitive loads between clickers and traditional multimedia assisted instruction modes. It was concluded that in China's college English class, compared with multimedia assisted instruction, (1) clickers could improve college English listening skills; (2) clickers could improve college English speaking skills; and (3) clickers could reduce undergraduates' cognitive loads in College English Class. Reasons for the results and defects in this study were also explored and discussed, based on learning, teaching and cognitive load theories. Some Suggestions for future research were also raised.

Highlights

English learning and teaching has been catching an increasing attention in China, especially in terms of listening and speaking
Corresponding to the research objectives, research questions are raised as: (1) can clickers improve college English listening skills compared with multimedia? (2) Can clickers improve college English speaking skills compared with multimedia? (3) Can clickers reduce undergraduates’ cognitive loads in College English Class compared with multimedia? Three hypotheses are proposed as follows: a) Clickers can improve college English listening skills compared with multimedia; b) Clickers can improve college English speaking skills compared with multimedia; c) Clickers can reduce undergraduates’ cognitive loads in College English Class compared with multimedia
Hypothesis 1: Clickers can improve college English listening skills compared with multimedia

Summary

Introduction

English learning and teaching has been catching an increasing attention in China, especially in terms of listening and speaking. English learning and teaching of speaking and listening has been considered important for over two decades in China. A number of college students complain that their listening and speaking skills remain unchanged though they have made great effort to practice for over one decade. They still feel hard to understand English broadcasting and speeches on TV. They think it difficult for them to open their mouths to speak English full of confidence

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Discussion

Conclusion