Session 5 (Task 5)

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Experimental Research Designs

Research Area:
To investigate the effect of the use L1 in English language classrooms in primary one

Possible Experimental Research Question:
Is the use of L1 in English language classrooms help primary one students achieving better scores in English Language?

Independent variable – the use of L1 (mother tongue of the children, that is, Cantonese)
Dependent variable – scores in English Language

This study is classified as an experimental design as the study try to test the effects of the independent variable on a dependable variable.

How could data for the variables be collected?
Step 1: Collect as many samples as possible. The children are divided into two groups. One will be the experimental group in which the independent variable (L1) is introduced and the other will be the control group, which will be taught by English.

Step 2: To investigate if the children perform better when L1 is used in English lessons, pre-test (mid-term exam) and post-test (annual exam) are introduced. It is assumed that the scores of the examination can measure the students’ performance in English Language.

Step 3: The experimental design would be-
Experimental condition
Pre-test (mid-term exam) scores Using L1 (Cantonese) in English Language classroom Post-test (annual exam) scores
Control condition
Pre-test (mid-term exam) scores Using L2 (English) in English Language classroom Post-test (annual exam) scores
Null hypothesis – there will be no significant differences between the scores

3. Provide argument how answer to that question can contribute to improvements in some aspect of education/teaching and learning?
It is assumed that some improvement in scores for both conditions (because children getting older) can be found, but if there is significant greater improvement in experimental condition, that meant this extra improvement is affected by the independent variable). The significant result helps the school to make decision on the medium of instruction used in primary 1 English Language classroom.

Task 4: Correlation Research Question

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Potential correlation research questions:
• Correlation between the computer skill vs. academic result while using e-book to learn.


How data for the correlated variables could be collected:
• Measurement:
Assume the score of ICL assessment can measure a student’s performance in computer skills.

• Collect as many samples as possible. Graph can plot with the score of ICL assessment against the average mark of the subjects which use e-book in learning.

• Computation of correlation coefficients:
The 2 correlated variables [score of ICL assessment, average score of subjects which use e-book in learning] are used to compute the correlation coefficient for each grade. The closer the correlation coefficient to +1, the higher the strength of the relationship between 2 variables.


How answer to that question can contribute to improvements in some aspect of education/teaching and learning:
If positive correlation(>0.5) is found, school may has two choice:
1. Use original text book and blackboard in teacher.
2. Combine ICL lesson with the subjects which use e-book for learning. (to solve the immediate problem of computer skills in the lesson)

Session 3 (Task 3)

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Session 2 (Task 2)

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