EFFECTS OF BLOG, WIKI AND GOOGLE DOCS IN LEARNING ENGLISH LANGUAGE: A STUDY OF BANGLADESH AT TERTIARY LEVEL

Abstract

English language learners at tertiary level, nowadays, have become highly dependent on blogs, wikis and Google docs in learning English. The use of these new media tools has certain effects in learning English. The aim of the study was to define the effects of blog, wiki and Google docs in learning English language at tertiary level. The researcher used qualitative method in the study. To collect the data, six Focus Group Discussions(FGD) were conducted with 30 students. The collected data was coded following the data coding procedure and significant themes had emerged after coding. The findings of the study showed that the students of tertiary level use English learning materials from blog, wiki and Google docs. The study also found that learning of English language is stress free, motivational, context-free, easily accessible and less costly when students learn through blogs, wikis and Google docs. Moreover, the study found that due to multiple sources of the same language input including grammar, vocabulary and mechanics in blogs, wikis and Google docs, sometimes students became confused as there were some blogs and wikis which did not maintain standard or provided correct solution. The study recommends the institutions give the students a list of authentic blogs and wikis so that the students can learn authentic language inputs.

Keywords: Effect, New Media, Blog, Wiki, Google docs, Learning English, Tertiary Level, Bangladesh.