Differences between Boys’ and Girls’ Self-Efficacy, Motivation and Attitudes towards Applying Mobile Devices for Learning ESL

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to provide a serious vision of students’ access and use of mobile phone and its peripherals for learning second language skills. The second purpose study was to investigate differences between boys and girls according to their access and usage of Mobile devices for learning English language skills from the Sharkord high school students. Statistical population was included all students in Sharkord high schools. Samples included 600 students that were selected by multi-stage clustering method. Data gathering instruments were included self-made questionnaire that was made according to theoretical background and literature of past research. After determining its validity and reliability it was used in schools. Findings indicated that a majority of students, more than 90% of them had access to some kinds of mobile devices, but less than 10% of them used it for educational purposes especially for learning English as a second language (ESL). Boys had more access to mobile devices than girls and were more knowledgeable about its usage. They were also more motivated and had self-efficacy in learning from mobile tools than girls. There were not any differences between boys and girls regarding to their attitudes toward using mobile devices for ESL. Results also indicated that there were relation between language learning skills and the possibilities of students' Mobile cell phones and also their motivation and self-efficacies for using it. There was significant relation between the type of phone cell usage and language learning skills.  According to the results, we conclude that mobile phones and its peripherals could facilitate and help students to learn more language skills. It depends to the student's motivation. Students who had more motivation in learning English language, they have installed more peripherals on their mobile. .

Keywords: Mobile learning, Attitudes, Motivation, Gender, Self-efficacy