Digital Preference and Lexical Learning: Exploring University Students’ Shift from Print to Online Dictionaries in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-i.215Keywords:
Online Dictionaries, Print Dictionaries, Lexical Learning, Vocabulary Acquisition, University students, English as a Second Language (ESL)Abstract
This paper will explore how online dictionaries have become very popular among Pakistani university students as compared to the use of print dictionaries and how this has affected vocabulary development. It explores the pattern of dictionary use among the students, why they use digital dictionaries, and implications pertaining to the pedagogy of English language learning. It was composed of a mixed-methods design and quantitative data was obtained through a structured questionnaire to BS English students in COMSATS University, Vehari Campus and qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews. Findings have shown that most students find online dictionaries more convenient, faster, portable, and with multimedia aspects like audio pronunciation and sample sentences. Online dictionaries have been discovered to be helpful in improving reading fluency, pronunciation, motivation, and independent learning. The difficulties were excessive reliance on direct translations, superficial processing of vocabulary as well as technical difficulties. The results concur with the Technology Acceptance Model, Constructivist Learning Theory and Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. The research concludes that online dictionaries are useful in the learning of vocabulary, but pedagogical support and training is required in an effort to achieve better lexical and contextual retention.
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