Investigating the ICT Use and Needs of 'Digital Natives' In Learning English at a Taiwanese University

摘要

This article reports key findings of a study which investigated the use of technology by 569 'digital natives' students for English Language learning and recreational purposes. Their views on the applicability of technological tools such as facebook, Hogging and skype for English Language teaching and learning were also investigated. The findings showed that although the students expressed positive views with regard to the use of technologies for language learning, they seemed to use less technological tools for academic learning than for recreational purposes. Discipline differences were not a determining factor. In addition, they appeared to use similar well-established technologies rather than new and emerging technologies for both learning and recreation. Finally, they also appeared satisfied with their English instructors' teaching approaches.