Using WordSift in English vocabulary teaching in a Thai classroom: Student vocabulary retention

Abstract

             WordSift is a word cloud generator website developed for vocabulary teaching. However, few empirical studies have examined its effects on vocabulary retention. This study aimed to 1) compare students’ English vocabulary retention between an experimental group learning new words through WordSift and a control group learning through the teacher-directed method; 2) report on students’ perceptions in vocabulary learning. The technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK model) was utilized as a theoretical framework. The subjects were 37 Mathayomsueksa 5 students in a secondary school in Phatthalung Province, Thailand, who were divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control one. The researcher used the following research tools: vocabulary survey forms, exercise handouts, achievement tests administered after 3 days of the treatment, retention tests administered after 14 days of the treatment, and semi-structured interview question sets. The results showed that through the independent t-test, the control group significantly outperformed the experimental one in vocabulary retention, t(35) = 3.609, p = .01. However, through the paired t test, the scores within groups did not show significant decrease in retention scores from the achievement tests (experimental group t = -.08, p = .93, control group t = 6.78, p < 0.01) and thus indicated vocabulary retention. Moreover, the interview data revealed that WordSift helped students’ learning and vocabulary retention in positive ways. It is suggested that future studies should focus on the effects of WordSift use on increasing vocabulary size in long term retention.