The Effects of Digital Technology on Early Childhood and Preschool Children's Vocabulary Development in EFL

undergraduate thesis

• Title (croatian): Utjecaj digitalne tehnologije na razvoj vokabulara djece rane i predškolske dobi na engleskom jeziku
• Author: Lana Košutić
• Mentor: Alenka Mikulec (mentor)
• Mentor: Edita Rogulj (sumentor)
• Committee member: Anabela Kunert (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Edita Rogulj (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Alenka Mikulec (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Teacher Education; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-09-19, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Information and Communication Sciences
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Philology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Pedagogy; Early Childhood and Preschool Pedagogy

Abstract

This final thesis provides an insight into the impact of digital technology on vocabulary development of early childhood and preschool-aged children, more specifically, those learning English as a foreign language (EFL). The main objective of this thesis is to highlight both the potential benefits, and the challenges associated with incorporating digital tools into very early language education.
The thesis starts with an overview of some types of digital tools and platforms such as videoconferencing software, digital picturebooks, educational toys, and robots, among many others.
The thesis next touches on vocabulary development and its phases from preverbal to verbal periods. An insight into the topic of second or foreign language acquisition is given, as well as some definitions and an account of vocabulary development through early childhood and preschool age.
Furthermore, the impact of digital technologies on vocabulary development in EFL is analyzed, with examples of some positive influences, such as gamification and Bee Bots, which can be used in the EFL learning process. The author also gives an insight into some potential risks that may occur when implementing digital technologies into EFL learning processes; some of which include too much screen time and digital content that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. The thesis further sheds light on the teachers’ EFL competences, as well as their digital competences, and their basic skills and knowledge needed for teaching English as a foreign language.
Finally, the thesis offers a summary of the key insights and conclusions drawn from the analyzed literature.
This thesis serves as a foundation for encouraging teachers and parents to integrate digital technologies as a helping tool for acquiring the mother tongue as well as an additional language whenever an opportunity presents itself.

Abstract (croatian)

Ovaj završni rad daje uvid u utjecaj digitalne tehnologije na razvoj vokabulara djece rane i predškolske dobi, točnije one koja uče engleski kao strani jezik (SJ). Glavni cilj ovoga rada je istaknuti potencijalne koristi i izazove povezane s uključivanjem digitalnih alata u vrlo rano jezično obrazovanje.
Završni rad započinje predstavljanjem različitih vrsta digitalnih alata i platformi, poput softvera za videokonferencije, digitalnih slikovnica, edukativnih igračaka i robota. U nastavku će biti riječi o razvoju vokabulara prema razvojnim fazama od predjezičnog do jezičnog razdoblja. Također se govori o usvajanju drugoga ili stranoga jezika te se daje definicija i prikaz ovladavanja vokabularom kroz rano djetinjstvo i predškolsku dob.
Nadalje, analizira se utjecaj digitalnih tehnologija na razvoj vokabulara u SJ-u, navode se pozitivni utjecaji, kao što su gamifikacija i Bee Botovi, koji se mogu koristiti u procesu ovladavanja engleskim kao stranim jezikom. U radu se također daje uvid u neke potencijalne rizike koji se mogu pojaviti kada se digitalne tehnologije uključe u procese ovladavanja engleskim kao stranim jezikom; neki od rizika uključuju previše vremena ispred ekrana i digitalne sadržaje koji možda nisu prikladni za mlađe gledatelje.
U radu se također spominju kompetencije poučavatelja engleskoga kao stranoga jezika, kao i njihove digitalne kompetencije, te njihove osnovne vještine i znanja potrebna za poučavanje engleskoga kao stranoga jezika.
Na samom kraju, u završnom promišljanju, sažete su ključne spoznaje i zaključci izvedeni na temelju prikazane literature.
Ovaj završni rad služi kao temelj za poticanje nastavnika i roditelja da integriraju digitalne tehnologije kao pomoć pri ovladavanju materinskim, ali i stranim jezikom kad god im se pruži prilika.

• Keywords: digital technologies; digital tools; early childhood and preschool children; English as a foreign language; vocabulary acquisition
• Keywords (croatian): digitalni alati; digitalne tehnologije; djeca rane i predškolske dobi; engleski kao strani jezik; usvajanje vokabulara
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:147:255627
• Study programme: Title: Undergraduate University Study of Early and Preschool Education; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/ prvostupnica (baccalaureus/ baccalaurea) odgojitelj/odgojiteljica djece rane i predškolske dobi (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/ prvostupnica (baccalaureus/ baccalaurea) odgojitelj/odgojiteljica djece rane i predškolske dobi)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-10-08 07:32:27