Abstract
Vocabulary learning is a vital part of mastering a language and experience has shown that students often neglect to routinely work on this aspect leading to problems with listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. This case study describes and evaluates the use of the Moodle glossary to support vocabulary learning in the modern language classroom. First-year students of German added 30 vocabulary items to the glossary each week. All students were encouraged to learn the new contributions on a weekly basis and classroom activities were used to reinforce the new vocabulary. Contributions were expected to follow a certain format, and students received a small percentage of their mark for their contributions. A mixed-method approach using surveys, statistics from Moodle, feedback notes, observation notes, email exchanges, and a focus group with students served to analyse the effectiveness of the Moodle glossary. Results showed that all students contributed to building the tool, though technological support from the instructor was sometimes necessary. Students less regularly read the contributions of others. A comparison of the Moodle activity report and the weekly quiz results suggested that engaging with the tool led to improved quiz results. The tool was successful in promoting independent learning, however extrinsic motivators (such as assessment and quizzes) proved necessary for some students. In general, the Moodle glossary was a useful tool for vocabulary learning and recommendations for a successful implementation are given. This case study will be of interest to language instructors, but also to learners and instructors dealing with specialised terminology.
Highlights
It’s always good to learn new vocabulary because knowing what you know already isn’t enough – it’s not going to take you through the later stages and you’re going to reach a wall, (Student C).I don’t go home and revise vocabulary, (Student C).These comments made by a language student during a focus group on vocabulary learning exemplify how beliefs and actions in regard to expanding vocabulary are often contradictory.In order to research the effectiveness of a new approach to vocabulary learning the following case study on the use of the Moodle glossary tool was conducted in a class of German language learners
The effectiveness of the approach was measured by analysing data related to three research questions, namely to what extent students were using the technology, whether using the glossary increased students’ vocabulary, and whether the glossary managed to engage students through its opportunities for active and independent learning
The overall aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Moodle glossary and a case study was chosen as the research method
Summary
It’s always good to learn new vocabulary because knowing what you know already isn’t enough – it’s not going to take you through the later stages and you’re going to reach a wall, (Student C).I don’t go home and revise vocabulary, (Student C).These comments made by a language student during a focus group on vocabulary learning exemplify how beliefs and actions in regard to expanding vocabulary are often contradictory.In order to research the effectiveness of a new approach to vocabulary learning the following case study on the use of the Moodle glossary tool was conducted in a class of German language learners. I don’t go home and revise vocabulary, (Student C). These comments made by a language student during a focus group on vocabulary learning exemplify how beliefs and actions in regard to expanding vocabulary are often contradictory. In order to research the effectiveness of a new approach to vocabulary learning the following case study on the use of the Moodle glossary tool was conducted in a class of German language learners. The effectiveness of the approach was measured by analysing data related to three research questions, namely to what extent students were using the technology, whether using the glossary increased students’ vocabulary, and whether the glossary managed to engage students through its opportunities for active and independent learning.
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