The Effects of Web 2.0 Tools on Foundation English Students` Success Rates at A Private University in Iraq

Abstract

Web 2.0 tools have had a profound impact on people`s lives in the last 20 years in parallel to the advancements in technology. Web 2.0 tools have transformed many fields as well as education. Web 2.0 tools allow users to create the content and interact with others on the internet rather than only receiving information. To this aim, the effects of Zip Grade and Padlet applications on Foundation English students` success rates and motivation at a private university in Erbil, Iraq were investigated meticulously in this study by employing a mixed methods design. In this regard, a survey, a questionnaire and an interview were used to gather qualitative data, while quantitative data were collected by two exams. MAXQDA software program was used to transcribe the interview. Additionally, descriptive analysis was used to analyze the results of the exams via independent samples t test and paired samples t test. The findings revealed that Zip Grade and Padlet increased students` success rates and motivation significantly. Also, it was observed that Zip Grade and Padlet increased interaction among students. The interpretations based on the findings in this study may have some implications to integrate Web 2.0 tools into education successfully on a global scale.

Keywords

• web 2.0 tools
• zip grade
• padlet
• motivation
• success