ERIC Number: EJ1050180
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Dec
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1175-8708
EISSN: N/A
An Exploratory Study on the Digital Identity Formation of Korean University EFL Learners
Lee, Jang Ho; Kim, Heyoung
English Teaching: Practice and Critique, v13 n3 p149-172 Dec 2014
The present study aims to sketch the contours of new media ecology for Korean university students as well as to examine how these learners shape and negotiate their digital identity by using social networking services and digital devices. It also investigates their use of digital media for learning English as a foreign language (EFL). In total, 652 Korean university students completed a questionnaire, and a subset of this group participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings show that Korean university students are well integrated into new media ecology, and display emerging characteristics such as the use of social networking services on a daily basis, possession of wireless digital gadgets, and experience in studying online lectures. Also, they engage in digital media largely for the purpose of maintaining friendships with their peers and families, but prefer to keep a low profile in networked public cultures and "interest-driven participation" (Ito et al., 2010). On the other hand, these students have utilised new media for EFL learning to a large extent, but they are not fully engaged in globally networked target language communities.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, English (Second Language), Technology Uses in Education, Web 2.0 Technologies, Handheld Devices, Social Networks, Technology Integration, Questionnaires, Semi Structured Interviews, Ecology, Use Studies, Friendship, Peer Relationship, Self Concept, Cooperative Learning, Student Attitudes, Identification (Psychology), Coding, Access to Information, Social Influences, Information Literacy
Wilf Malcolm Institute for Educational Research, University of Waikato. PB 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-858-5171; Fax: +64-7-838-4712; e-mail: wmier@waikato.ac.nz; Web site: http://education.waikato.ac.nz/research/journal/index.php?id=1
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Korea (Seoul)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A