Effects of locus of control and learner-control on web-based language learning

Authors: Chang, Mei-Mei; Ho, Chiung-Mei

Source: Computer Assisted Language Learning, Volume 22, Number 3, July 2009 , pp. 189-206(18)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

The study explored the effects of students' locus of control and types of control over instruction on their self-efficacy and performance in a web-based language learning environment. A web-based interactive instructional program focusing on the comprehension of news articles for English language learners was developed in two versions: learner- and program-control. Following the web-based learning, the participants completed a content comprehension test and self-report measure of self-efficacy. Results showed that: (1) students with an internal locus of control performed better on the test and the self-efficacy measure than those with an external locus of control; (2) students learning from the learner-control version of the web-based instruction performed better on the test and the measure of self-efficacy than those learning from the program-control version; (3) students with an internal locus of control who learned from the learner-control version got the highest score on the test and the measure of self-efficacy, while students with an external locus of control who learned from the program-control version received the lowest score on the test and the measure of self-efficacy; and (4) students with an external locus of control who learned from the learner-control version outperformed students with an internal locus of control who learned from the program-control version on both academic performance and the measure of self-efficacy.

Keywords: learner-control; program-control; internal locus of control; external locus of control; web-based instruction

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09588220902920094

Affiliations: 1: Department of Modern Languages, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan

Publication date: 2009-07-01

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