PSP Research Digest, 2014

EFFECTS OF mE-BOOK ON POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS' READING COMPREHENSION

AND LEARNING ENGAGEMENT
Subashini Annamalai
subashini@psp.edu.my
Information Technology and Communication Department
Politeknik Seberang Perai, Penang
Balakrishnan Muniandy
mbala@usm.edu.my
Centre of Instructional Technology and Multimedia
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Zarina Samsudin
ina@usm.edu.my
Centre of Instructional Technology and Multimedia
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract This study attempts to examine
the use of two modes of multimedia E-book
(mE-book) in the English language
classroom of a group of diploma students
at a national Polytechnics in Malaysia.
Among the aspects that were examined
were the student's reading comprehension
and their learning engagement. A set of
tests and a questionnaire were used as
data collecting instruments that were given
to the students after they have experienced
the mE-book. Data collected were analysed
to answer the research questions. The
results revealed that the polytechnic
students who used mE-bookn showed
significantly higher reading comprehension
and learning engagement compared to
students who used mE-bookw.
Keyword: mE-book, Polytechnic, Reading
Comprehension, Learning Engagement
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In this digital age, the current students'
generation is more comfortable with nontext visual media [1]. Many young people
grow up around video and computer
games, and when it comes to reading, they
expect
similarities
applied in
the
technology [2]. These students have
developed ways to learn directly through
visual media devices such as computers,
video games and the Internet [3]. Students
high computer literacy and keen interest in
multimedia have also inspired language
educators to consider the possibility of
converting their traditional teaching setting
to the e - setting to which students are
constantly exposed [4]. Educators are
encouraged to use computer technology
such as multimedia as an intervention tool

to reverse students negative attitudes

towards reading in second language [5].
Multimedia E-book, which is also known as
mE-book, is a digital representation of
paper-book that integrates new multimedia
features and hypertext links [6] [7] [8] [9].
This new digital book allows easy
integration
of
video,
audio,
and
interactivity. mE-book is able to read by
itself with audio narration, offer the ability
to make and share annotations without
destroying the book, interactive self-tests
throughout the chapters, and generally a
much more enjoyable reading experience
beyond the printed format [10]. Due to
familiarity and preference for visual media,
young readers are also choosing to read
multimedia E-book for a simpler reasonthey are entertaining to read.
Multimedia E-book is important in
promoting the ideas of visual literacy and
accommodating students who might be
classified as visual learners. Students
prefer to read books that are entertaining.
However, in this era, students are made to
read text-only books and this is
inappropriate. Multimedia E-book can fill
this gap [11] as the combination of visuals
and words work together to increase
comprehension [12]. In addition to aiding
visual learners, multimedia e-book can
also be a beneficial tool for reluctant or
struggling readers because it is helpful in
specific areas of reading instruction. The
visual images in multimedia E-books can
support vocabulary development. Students
may see an unfamiliar word, but with the
help of visual context clues, are able to
decode it by themselves [13].