Vodcasting: A Reusable Learning Object to Teach Writing Hamid Reza Kargozari Dara Tafazoli

Introduction

Review of Literature

Benefits of Technology Benefits to students Benefits to classrooms

Benefits of Technology (Contd.) Benefits to students: 1. Improving learners` performance (Kulik & Kulik, 1991) 2. Organizing complex information (Barron & Goldman, 1994) 3. Expanding access to educational resources (Zorfass, Corley & Remz, 1994) 4. Improving learners` motivation & attitudes (Dwyer, 1994) 5. Developing learners` self-esteem

Benefits of Technology (Contd.) Benefits to classrooms: 1. Changing the teachers` role ( Henriquez & Riconscente, 1998) 2. Fostering collaboration (Tinzmann, 1998) 3. Improving classrooms` practice (U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, Teachers & Technology, 1995) 4. Accessing authentic materials (Honey & et.al.,1996) 5. Individualizing learning

What is Vodcast? Balas (2005) considers vodcast as a vido post cast. A vodcast is a video recording posted on the internet and can be downloaded to be used with a certain media device like a mobile or personal computer. Vod is an acronym for "video on demand".

What is Vodcast? (Contd.) Vodcast takes advantage of connecting visuals to the audio. Nowadays, many news agencies disseminate special stories or news summaries as vodcasts over the internet (Ameng 2005).

Significant Features of Vodcasts Having a solitary nature Providing dynamic learning environment

Methodology

Methodology Participants: N = 16 First language: Farsi Range: 22-28

Methodology (Contd.) Procedure: Pre-test Treatment Post-test Rating

Methodology (Contd.) Instruction: Control group Experimental group Material Teacher`s duties Learners` duties Experimental group

Data Analysis

Data Analysis Pre-test T = 3.56, P<.01

Data Analysis (Contd.) Post-test

Data Analysis (Contd.) T-test for post-test and pre-test mean scores of experimental and control groups

Conclusion & Recommendation

Conclusion The effect of vodcast instruction on the achievement of learners obtained in this study is consistent with findings of the other studies in the literature (Gkatzidou & Pearson 2007, Pinder-Grover et al. 2008). Although other researchers tried to apply vodcasting instruction in general education, they reached the same findings that asking students to watch vodcasts could help students for higher achievement in their classes.

Conclusion (Contd.) In this study, vodcast writing instruction proved to be efficient to : improve learners` writing ability have access to instructional material anytime and everywhere motivate learners help learners who miss the class

Recommendation It is highly recommended that EFL teachers apply vodcasts in their writing classes. It is recommended that the application of vodcast should be extended to other skills and elements of language such as reading, listening, speaking, vocabulary and grammar.

Recommendation (Contd.) However, since the application of vodcast is a new trend in language classes, more studies needed to research the effect of this new technology. In future studies, learners` and teachers` attitudes should be investigated too.

Thank you for your patience… Hamid R. Dara