Styles and Needs in Learning English by Using Tablet PCS among Grade I Students

Abstract

The study investigated the learning styles and needs of Grade 1 students in learning English by using tablet PCs. The purposes of the study were (1) to investigate the English language learning styles of Grade 1 students who use tablet PCs, (2) to investigate the needs of students in learning English by using tablet PCs, and (3) to find out the effective way to teach English by using tablet PCs in order to respond the students’ learning styles and needs. The samples were 354 Grade 1 students of four schools in the “Integrating Technology to Enhance Learning” pilot project in the academic year 2012. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and semi-structured interview. The data revealed that; (1) Grade 1 students learnt English via tablet PCs by auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning style with 91%, 88%, and 50% respectively. (2) Grade 1 students needed contents to end up with games and activities, listening activities, self-using tablet PCs, and practical activities. (3) The effective way to teach English by using tablet PCs depended on teachers and materials.  Teachers should weight the all 3 styles in any step to suit the students and the teachers should adapt themselves to keep up with technology in order to be a leader of students to learn presently and in the future. The materials or contents should be animation with sound and translation. Activities or games should be interactive and they can enhance learning and students can use to revise or study in advance by themselves. The body of the tablets should be larger with clear buttons and easy – used application. In addition, the battery should keep more power for longer using.