The impact of social media as an instructional tool in Japanese culture teaching

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how social media tools, in other words social network services (SNS), affects the success of Japanese language learners in learning Japanese culture in undergraduate programs. For this research, a mixed method approach was used with a quantitative, quasi-experimental research design including a pre-test-post-test control group experimental model for quantitative data and an open-ended follow-up questionnaire for qualitative data. The topic of Shintō was selected for the Japanese culture lesson to be taught to a control group (indoor and face to face) and three experimental groups with different SNS tools (Zoom, YouTube and Instagram). An achievement test was used to measure success, with 30 questions in a pilot test reduced to 27 after item analysis. Two-factor ANOVA was used for the analysis. After measurement four groups’ value was found insignificant, a Sample Pair Test was implemented for each groups’ pre-test-post-test results. The results revealed that all groups showed a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores. The traditional Group and the YouTube Group had the highest mean achievement score,. This suggests that the social media teaching environment is as effective for the learning process as the indoor and face to face environment and learning tools. Furthermore, the qualitative data collected in this study revealed both positive and limited aspects of SNS tools. Participants highlighted the inadequacies of using SNS as the main learning environment. In the light of these data, this paper concludes that traditional classroom training is still useful in teaching Japanese culture, and SNS can be used as a supportive instrument.