The second RQ associates with the perceptions of Generation Z undergraduates about using MALL devices in learning English. The participants did the survey with 5- point Likert scale from 1-Strongly Disagree, 2-Disagree, 3-Neutral, 4-Agree, 5-
Strongly Agree. The survey is comprised of two parts: perceptions towards MALL devices in class learning and perceptions towards MALL devices outside class learning.
The survey revealed that Generation Z undergraduates at HUFI had slightly positive perceptions towards using mobile devices in learning English. The participants’ perceptions categorized to two main themes: affecting factors (frequent use of MALL-In4; awareness of MALL-In6, Out6, Out4, In2, Out8; anticipation of engagement-In10, Out1; preference for traditional learning-In3) and motivating features (entertainment-Out1, Out7; communication-Out3; confidence-In9; creative functions-Out9).
Table 4.2
Perceptions of Generation Z Students Towards MALL Devices
The average Mean of 14 items was 3.57 and its SD was 0.83. It implied that the average perception of Generation Z students lied above Neutral and nearly Agree.
Conclusively, the participants at HCMC University of Food Industry had slightly positive perceptions towards using MALL devices in learning English.
Specifically, the first part comprising seven items (In1, In2, In3, In4, In6, In9,
N Mean SD
Perceptions - Inside Clasess
In1 . I am interested in learning English using a mobile phone. 108 3.56 0.931 In2 . MALL has been applied in various learning activities in my English
class. 108 3.72 0.818
In3 . I prefer MALL courses to traditional courses. 108 3.37 1.038 In4 . MALL should be used in class regularly. 108 3.52 0.902 In6. Recent developments in MALL are leading to the exploration of new
methods/models at HCMC University of Food and Industry. 108 3.54 0.88 In9 . I am confident when using mobile devices for English learning. 108 3.57 0.751 In10 . I am looking forward to engaging in MALL. 108 3.55 0.802
Average of In items 3.55 0.87
Perceptions - Outside Clasess N Mean SD
Out1 . MALL could be integrated seamlessly to support informal
learning. 108 3.64 0.755
Out3 . I am more willing to ask questions using mobile devices. 108 3.56 0.835 Out4. MALL will change the way students learn in the future. 108 3.57 0.8 Out6 . MALL could bring enormous opportunities to further empower
English learning. 108 3.65 0.765
Out7. MALL makes English learning more fun. 108 3.64 0.859 Out8 . MALL can replace computer and other learning technologies. 108 3.44 0.8 Out9 . MALL allows me to undertake more interesting and imaginative
work. 108 3.59 0.774
Average of Out items 3.58 0.8
Total Average of In and Out items 3.57 0.83
In10) concerned with perceptions of Generation Z students towards using MALL devices in learning English in classrooms. The results revealed that the average Mean of In items was lower than that of 14 items (Table 4.2). Meanwhile, the average Mean of seven Out items (Out1, Out3, Out4, Out6, Out7, Out8, Out9) regarding perceptions of Generations Z students towards using MALL devices outside the class was higher than that of inside classrooms as well as the average Mean of total items. As a matter of fact, Generation Z undergraduates had more positive perceptions towards using MALL tools outside the class than those of inside the class.
Of seven items of perceptions of Generation Z undergraduates towards employing MALL devices inside the class, item In3 - I prefer MALL courses to traditional courses referred that most of the participants had a neutral perception to learning traditional courses and MALL courses. Between two courses, the participants did not have a clear favor in English learning. From the Mean of item In1: I am interested in learning English using a mobile phone (Table 4.2), it could be strongly suggested that Generation Z students at HCMC University of Food Industry felt motivated when learning English with mobile devices. Although students did not show their obvious trend in traditional courses or MALL courses, at least they had motivation or good experience with MALL classes. For item In10 - I am looking forward to engaging in MALL whose Mean was 3.55, it meant that a majority of the students nearly agreed with and they were anticipating more MALL classes. This item could be considered as a crucial factor which may affect students’ perception in MALL courses and therefore, affect their favor towards traditional classes and MALL classes in the future. For item In2 - MALL has been applied in various learning activities in my English class which had the highest Mean of seven items (Table 4.2). It implied that English teachers at HUFI are trying to apply various activities for their EFL learners with portable devices gradually. Furthermore, students also showed their awareness of activities their lecturers carried out in English classes. Item In9 - I am confident when
using mobile devices for English learning showed that students were slightly confident in using mobile devices for English learning. Item In6 - Recent developments in MALL are leading to the exploration of new methods/models at HCMC University of Food Industry revealed that the participants were slightly aware of MALL advancement not only in their university but also in general. With the Mean of item In4 - MALL should be used in class regularly (Table 4.2), it indicated that students slightly support the frequent use of MALL devices in class.
In terms of perceptions of Generation Z undergraduates towards using mobile devices outside the class, item Out6 - MALL could bring enormous opportunities to further empower English learning had comparable Mean (Table 4.2). The result implied that university students were aware of the impact and benefits that MALL had been bringing to their informal English learning. For item Out1 - MALL could be integrated seamlessly to support informal learning, it showed that the participants anticipated English learning activities out of schools should be integrated with mobile tools continuously. For item Out7 - MALL makes English learning more fun, it implied that a majority of the participants agreed that learning English with MALL was joyful.
They were entertained when learning independently with the aids of handheld devices.
Learning with MALL outside the class entertained learners so they obviously loved to use mobile devices, too. On the contrary, item Out8 - MALL can replace computer and other learning technologies had the lowest Mean of seven items (Table 4.2). This number showed that the participants had a relatively neutral perception towards the replacement of MALL with computers or other learning technologies. Mean of Item Out9 - MALL allows me to undertake more interesting and imaginative work suggested that the participants slightly agreed with the functions associated with creativity of handheld devices in English learning. Means of Item Out4 - MALL will change the way students learn in the future and Out3 - I am more willing to ask questions using mobile devices were above 3.5 (Table 4.2) roughly suggested that students had quite neutral
perceptions about the potentials of MALL and they did not interact regularly with their teachers or their peers when using mobile devices to learn English out the classrooms.