The Impact of Mnemosyne Computer Software on Iranian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

Taki, Saeed; Jafari, Sanaz

doi:10.22049/jalda.2018.26246.1068

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Saeed Taki ¹
Sanaz Jafari ²

¹ Assistant Professor of TEFL, English Department, Shahreza Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza, Iran.

² PhD Candidate of TEFL, English Department, Shahreza Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22049/jalda.2018.26246.1068

Abstract

The Mnemosyne computer software is a flash-card aid, which optimizes learners’ learning process. The current study was conducted to evaluate the extent to which Mnemosyne can assist college-level Iranian EFL learners to improve their vocabulary learning by utilizing spaced repetition. For this purpose, 60 intermediate-level EFL learners were chosen based on their performance on a proficiency test. Then, they were divided into two equal-sized experimental and control groups, each consisting of 30 participants. The participants of the experimental group were asked to use Mnemosyne on their own computers, their cell phones or other devices. They had opportunity to use numerous numbers of free flashcards on various subjects and users could build their own on different topics. The control group received instructions through conventional teaching methodology. The posttest was given to the participants of both groups in order to check the students’ vocabulary learning. The results of independent sample t-test between the posttest scores of the two groups showed a significant difference between the scores of the experimental group and those of the control group. The results demonstrated that Mnemosyne significantly improved students’ performance in vocabulary learning.

Keywords

20.1001.1.2383591.2017.5.2.8.3

Main Subjects

Technology in language learning and teaching

Article Title [Persian]

تأثیر نرم افزار فلش کارت بر فراگیری واژگان انگلیسی دانشجویان ایرانی

Abstract [Persian]

نرم افزارکامپیوتری Mnemosyne نوعی فلش کارت است که فرایند یادگیری فراگیران را بهینه میکند. مطالعه حاضربه منظور بررسی میزان استفاده از Mnemosyne برای کمک به زبان آموزانEFL انگلیسی به عنوان زبان خارجی در سطح کالج برای بهبود یادگیری واژگان با استفاده از تکرار فاصله دار انجام شد. برای این منظور، 60 نفرازدانش آموزان سطح متوسط براساس عملکرد آنها در آزمون مهارت انتخاب و به دو گروه آزمایش و کنترل (هرگروه شامل 30 نفر) تقسیم شدند. از شرکت کنندگان گروه آزمایش خواسته شد ازMnemosyne در رایانه ها، تلفنهای همراه، یا سایر دستگاههای خوداستفاده کنند. آنها فرصت استفاده ازتعداد زیادی از فلشکارت های رایگان درموضوعات مختلف داشتند وکاربران میتوانستند براساس موضوعات مختلف فلشکارت خود را بسازند. گروه کنترل دستورالعملها را از طریق روش آموزش متداول دریافت کرد. پس آزمون برای شرکت کنندگان هردوگروه به منظور بررسی یادگیری واژگان ارائه شد. نتایج آزمون مستقلt روی نمرات پسآزمون دوگروه اختلاف معنیداری رابین نمرات گروه آزمایش وگروه کنترل نشان داد. Mnemosyneدر این مطالعه باعث بهبود قابل توجه عملکرد دانش آموزان در یادگیری واژگان گردید.

Keywords [Persian]

زبان آموزی به کمک رایانه
فراگیری زبان انگلیسی به عنوان زبان خارجی
فلش کارت
نرم افزارفلش کارت
یادگیری واژگان

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The Impact of Mnemosyne Computer Software on Iranian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

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Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10September 2017Pages 101-111

Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10
September 2017
Pages 101-111