a case study on the effects of web based enlish languge instruction on taiwanese college students` reading performance

Chapter I

1 .1 Introduction

Technology has fueled growth in across all industries and education is no less immune to the benefits and innovations that technological advances have engendered within the classroom . While many technology based education solutions have been applied within the education setting , such as software applications and computer based learning solutions , many of this first tier technology solutions are now migrating to web-based delivery platforms . Online education programs are differentiated from other distance programs in that they are strictly delivered via the internet whereas distance programs can

be delivered in various other media formats , such as television . However , although the format may differ the overall concept is the same : to increase the educational options available to learners who seek or need alternate access options relevant to their educational needs . Online education (OE ) has been defined as

not a single institution , but a web of educational providers that collectively distribute services to the client at the time , place , pace and style desired by the client , with quality determined by the client and a variety of approving and accrediting bodies (Dunn , 2000 , para .13

With this in mind it can be taken that OE is defined as delivered exclusively via the internet or , alternatively , in tandem with or completely through the use of email or other internet related technologies . While the level and degree of acceptance of OE between the various institutions utilizing or offering it , there can be no debate about OE 's ultimate place in the future of education at every level and in every field , such as English as a Foreign Language or EFL Typically , educational institutions have relied on traditional delivery formats for EFL instruction including reading instruction this has limited the spread of web-based learning solutions in the EFL setting and particularly within the Taiwanese higher education environment

1 .2 Statement of the Problem

Traditional instructional methodology relying on instructor delivered content is institutionalized in the college and university setting within the EFL setting . The causes for this are manifold however , one major impediment to the application of technology based instruction methodologies has been an instructor based resistance to utilizing or relying on technology based solutions . The first level of resistance often results in a lack of technology savvy on the part of the traditional EFL or EFL related instructor which implies that the instructor is not so much unwilling to implement such solutions but is quite frankly , unable to implement them . Conversely , others are so steeped in traditional instructional methods that they doubt technology based instructional methods , such as web-based solutions , have the potential to be as effective . Additionally , these same types of instructors likely fear becoming marginalized and irrelevant in the 21st century classroom which is rapidly becoming a virtual environment rather than a fixed space

1 .3 Purpose of the Study

This study is intended to result in the provision of an effective methodology for integrating technology for teaching EFL , specifically English reading and comprehension , into the EFL program as well...