The Effects of the Use of WebQuest on Taiwanese Middle School Students’ English Motivation and Learning Outcomes

• Main Authors: Ming-Xiao Ma, 馬明孝
• Other Authors: Yi-Chuan Hsieh
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/65078050095209023595

碩士 === 中原大學 === 應用外語研究所 === 98 === The integration of information technology into instructions has become a trend in the Taiwanese education. Among those computer-assisted language learning technologies, Web Quest, an inquiry-oriented activity designed by Bernie Dodge and Tom March has gained more attention in instructional practices. However, previous research studies provided dearth evidence in exploring the use of WebQuest in English learning in Taiwan. This study attempted to investigate how WebQuest could promote English learning achievement and learning motivation. Two 7th grade classes were randomly selected from one junior high school in Taoyuan, Taiwan. The entire treatment lasted for six weeks. Before and after the treatment, students in the experimental group and control group were both asked to take the test of English learning achievement and the questionnaire of English learning motivation. Results indicated that the experimental group students with the assistance of WebQuest performed better in English achievement test. In the learning motivation part, the students showed higher motivation than the control group students. In addition, the interview results indicated that most experimental group students agreed that WebQuest was an interesting and useful activity for English class. They believed that WebQuest helped them improve English grades and learning motivation. Findings of this study may help the future English teachers to design their own WebQuest activities in the English instruction.