BANKING ACADEMY FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES ------------o0o----------- GRADUATION THESIS A STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HYBRID LEARNING MODEL IN SMARTCOM ENGLISH CENTER Student : Hoang Thi Xoan Student ID : 19A7510238 Class : K19ATCB Academic Year : 2016 - 2020 Advisor : Ms. Le Thi Minh Que (MA) Hanoi, June 2020 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This graduation research would be impossible without the support of many people. To begin with, I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to my instructor - Ms. Le Thi Minh Que, due to her detailed guidance and encouragement, which have contributed immensely to the evolution of the research.
Despite her busy schedule, she spent time giving me valuable ideas to fulfill this project. Secondly, my special thanks go to the Smartcom English center Board of Directors for their support during my internship and the collecting data process through the questionnaire. Thirdly, I also take this opportunity to thank all my lecturers of Foreign Languages Faculty for assisting me over the last four years of studying at Banking Academy. Last but not least, I am grateful to my parents and friends, who helped and encouraged me a lot in finalizing this project within the limited time frame.
i DECLARATION I declare that this graduation thesis is my own research, under the guidance of Ms. Le Thi Minh Que. The research contents and results are accurate and have never been published in any study works before. The references are properly cited as prescribed in the reference section.
Hanoi, 24th June 2020 Signature Hoang Thi Xoan ii ABSTRACT The significant advancement of modern technology has brought numerous benefits for education. It has also created new demands associated with an effective and flexible teaching method known as the Hybrid Learning Model (HLM), which combines both online learning and traditional learning approach. The main purposes of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of the HLM in Smartcom English Center (SEC), to identify the problems of the SEC Hybrid learning environment, and to provide practical solutions. Both the quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the study, and the questionnaire was the main instrument.
Collected responses were coded and processed through SPSS system. The results show a high satisfaction level of participants towards the advantages of the HLM in maintaining their discipline and motivating them in enhancing their English competence. Besides, relevant problems arising from the low quality of the online learning gate, the unqualified teaching staff, and inappropriate lesson design have been discussed and analyzed thoroughly. To solve these problems, it is necessary to upgrade the Smartweb online learning gate, and improving the quality of teachers also need to be taken into consideration.
Furthermore, for students, it is important to enhance the Information and Communication Technology knowledge and maintain positive attitude to learning habits. Keywords: Effectiveness, Hybrid Learning Model (HLM), Smartcom English Center (SEC). iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS.
iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. v LIST OF FIGURES. v LIST OF TABLES. Significance of the Study.
Theoretical Foundations of the Hybrid Learning Model. Definitions of the Hybrid Learning Model. Development of the Hybrid Learning Model. Benefits of Applying the Hybrid Learning Model in Education.
Providing Flexibility and Convenience. Meeting Students’ Expectations. Enhancing the Learning Outcomes. Saving Time, Energy and Financial Budget.
Introduction to the Hybrid Learning Model at SEC. Overview of SEC. General Introduction of the Hybrid Learning Model at SEC. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.
Background Information of Participants. Participants’ Genders and Current Courses. Experiences in Perceiving Hybrid Courses. Learning Methods Preference.
Students’ Evaluations of the Hybrid Learning Model in SEC. Benefits of Hybrid Courses. Levels of Satisfaction on Hybrid Courses. Decision Making on Further SEC Hybrid Courses.
Problems of Deploying the Hybrid Learning Model in SEC. Problems of Smartweb Learning Gate. Problems of Teaching Staff. Problems of Lesson Design and Techniques.
Suggested Solutions for Enhancing Hybrid Learning System in SEC. Summary of the Research Results. Implications of the Current Study. Limitations and Recommendations for Further Research.
49 APPENDIX 1: Questionnaire on the Effectiveness of the Hybrid Learning Model in Smartcom English Center (English version). 49 APPENDIX 2: Questionnaire on the Effectiveness of the Hybrid Learning Model in Smartcom English Center (Vietnamese version). 54 v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Abbreviation Full form CD - ROMs Compact Disc Read – Only Memory ESL English as a Second Language FTF Face-to-Face HLM Hybrid Learning Model KPI Key Performance Indicator LMS Learning Management System OL Online Learning SEC Smartcom English Center Statistical Package for the Social SPSS Sciences v LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page Figure 2.1: The Learning Pyramid 14 Figure 2.2: The SEC Hybrid Learning Approach 15 Figure 4.1: Respondents' Previous Experiences in Hybrid Courses 21 Figure 4.2: Satisfaction Levels of Respondents about SEC Hybrid Courses 29 Figure 4.3: Respondents' Decision Making on Further SEC Hybrid Courses 31 Figure 4.4: Respondents' Opinions about Problems of Smartweb Learning Gate 32 Figure 4.5: Respondents' Opinions about Problems of the Teaching Staff 34 Figure 4.6: Respondents' Opinions about Problems of Lesson Design and Techniques 35 Figure 4.7: Suggested Solutions for the SEC 37 Figure 4.8: Suggested Solutions for Teachers 40 vi LIST OF TABLES Tables Page Table 4.1: Genders and Courses of the Respondents 21 Table 4.2: Preferred Learning Methods of Participants 22 Table 4.3: Cronbach's Alpha Results for the Benefits of the Hybrid Learning Model 24 Table 4.4: Respondents’ Opinions about Benefits of Hybrid Courses 25 Table 4.5: Cronbach's Alpha Results for the Satisfaction Scales 27 vii CHAPTER 1. Research Background In this highly technological era, integrating technology into education has been the growing interest of virtually all educators.
Among a multitude of learning methods that have been recommended over the world in recent years to obtain practicality, flexibility, effectiveness, and creativeness, the Hybrid Learning Model (HLM) is one of the typical examples. In fact, this model was implemented at several levels of education since the late 1990s in many developed countries under the close combination between face-to- face (FTF) and online learning (OL) methods, in which approximately half of a course is delivered through various creative activities on the virtual environment, and the rest are taught in an FTF classroom. Understanding the enormous benefits that this learning approach offer, many worldwide educational institutions have been deploying it into teaching. Besides, several researchers consider that this model would be the outstanding trends and revolutions in education, especially for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).
Mossavar-Rahmani & Larson-Daugherty (2007), and Hunt (2018) conclude that the HLM has created exciting and effective learning experiences for both educators and students by combining traditional and virtual learning environments. Following this trend, several leading institutions and language centers in Vietnam have applied the HLM into English classrooms to develop an effective learning atmosphere for students. Although it is undisputed that an impressive record of achievement can be represented by employing this model, educators can encounter certain obstacles (Vu Thai Giang & Nguyen Hoai Nam, 2019). To partly remove those current limitations, many English centers, especially the Smartcom English center (SEC) has been attempting to equip modern facilities to serve teaching-learning activities.
Many previous research works in this field have concentrated on introducing HLM or how can Vietnam apply this model to education. Few investigations focus on assessing the effectiveness of the Hybrid modality for teaching English in general and the case of SEC in specific. More 1 research studies should be done to investigate deeply into this topic so that the teaching quality in Vietnam, especially in the SEC could be enhanced in the future. For the above reasons, this thesis, titled “A study on the effectiveness of the Hybrid Learning Model in Smartcom English Center”, would cover the effects of this Hybrid approach on SEC’s students, and the suggestion of adequate solutions to complete this model in SEC for the next period, is essential to be conducted.
Due to the limited scope, the research mainly focuses on assessing the effectiveness of the HLM, which is defined as a method allowing students to learn English lessons partly in SEC classrooms, and also through online activities and assignments on Smartweb – the online learning gate generated by the SEC. Significance of the Study It might be important for the investigation to be started because of the following reasons. Several countries and global education centers have been using this model and benefiting significantly from this approach. However, little research have been done to identify the advantages and problems when applying this model in Vietnam.
Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a research to find out the effectiveness of the HLM in ESL education. Evaluating the levels of SEC learners’ satisfaction would be useful for managers of education centers and scholars to promote the HLM at national and local levels. Research Purposes Understanding the essential needs of an innovative approach to teaching and learning English, this study aims to explore the effectiveness of the HLM applied in the SEC and find out suitable solutions for bettering this model. To achieve these goals, the research mainly targets at particular objectives as follows: The first significant purpose is to provide the theoretical foundations of the HLM, and its benefits in education.
The second important intention is to discuss the current background of applying this model in the SEC. Another goals are to identify the relevant 2 problems, and to suggest solutions to deal with existing limitations of applying this method in the SEC. Research Questions To achieve the above purposes, the following questions have been addressed in the current study: Question 1: What are the benefits of the HLM in education? Question 2: What is the current background of applying the HLM in SEC? Question 3: How effective is the HLM in SEC? Question 4: What are the advantages and problems when applying the HLM in SEC? Question 5: What are the possible solutions to enhance the HLM in SEC? 1. Research Schedule The research has been conducted under the supervision of Ms.
Le Thi Minh Que (MA), lecturer of Faculty of Foreign Languages, Banking Academy within almost 4 months, from February 2020 to May 2020. Research Structure The research paper was divided into 5 main chapters with particular functions as follows: Chapter 1 presents research background, significance of the research and also purposes, questions and schedule of the study. Chapter 2 shows theoretical foundations of the study by finding out the definition, development and benefits of the HLM. It also presents an overview of SEC (Smartcom English center).
Chapter 3 identifies study participants and notes the process of gathering and treating the collected data for the research results. 3 Chapter 4 focuses on the findings of the graduation thesis and from that assesses the effectiveness of the HLM employed in SEC. Finally, existing problems are defined in order to find out suitable solutions to enhance the HLM in SEC. Chapter 5 summarizes the main findings, identifies the implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research studies.
LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter reviews literature relating to the research of the HLM’s effectiveness in SEC through three main sections. It initially presents the theoretical foundation of the HLM. It then notes the benefits of applying the HLM in education. The final section focuses on general information of the SEC and the deployment of this model in teaching English at the center.
Theoretical Foundations of the Hybrid Learning Model 2. Definitions of the Hybrid Learning Model The concept of Hybrid Learning referred to the combination of an online learning environment by gaining the flexibility of distance or outside of classroom learning, and a FTF classroom instruction (Hentea, Shea, & Pennington, 2003). In other words, Hybrid Learning represented an opportunity to incorporate the innovative and technological advances offered by online learning method with the interaction and participation of traditional learning approach (Thorne, 2003).
