Title: Self-efficacy and online help seeking tendencies of EFL learners

Authors: Gregory S. Ching; Mei-Chin Lin; Wen-Lin Wang; Wei-Ling Tchong

Addresses: Graduate Institute of Educational Leadership and Development, Fu Jen Catholic University, #510 Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan ' Graduate Institute of Educational Leadership and Development, Fu Jen Catholic University, #510 Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan ' Graduate Institute of Educational Leadership and Development, Fu Jen Catholic University, #510 Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan ' Graduate Institute of Educational Leadership and Development, Fu Jen Catholic University, #510 Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan

Abstract: For engineering students in Taiwan, technology is used in developing their English language competencies. This paper presents the findings of an experimental EFL online learning course. A total of 105 engineering students participated in a semester-long Basic English class. Students are assigned learning tasks that can be accomplished either with their smartphones or tablets-PCs. A survey questionnaire with regards to the students' self-efficacy within an internet-based learning environment, help seeking tendencies, perceived ease of use, intent and actual technology use, and personality was administered. Result shows that students who use smartphones with internet access tends to have more self-efficacy as compared to their peers with no internet access. These students also scored significantly higher in the course than their peers without internet access. SEM was used to validate the influence of self-efficacy and online help seeking tendencies towards the perceived ease of use, intent and actual use of the course.

Keywords: learning technology; student self-efficacy; help seeking tendencies; technology acceptance model; TAM; internet; online learning; e-learning; electronic learning; English as a foreign language; EFL learners; engineering education; Taiwan; English language competencies; smartphones; tablets; PCs; perceived ease of use; intention to use; SEM; structural equation modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2014.067734

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2014 Vol.9 No.4, pp.374 - 391

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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