Effects of blended learning using local culture content on English writing ability of tenth grade students in Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to: (1) compare tenth grade students’ English writing ability before and after taking blended learning using local culture content; (2) investigate tenth grade students’ attitudes toward the blended learning using local culture content. The subjects were 31 tenth grade students who studied at Chomsurang Upatham School, Ayutthaya province in the second semester, academic year 2011. The instruments used for data collection were a pre and post test of English writing ability, an attitude questionnaire, and interview questions. The data were analyzed using arithmetic mean, paired samples t-test, percentage, and content analysis. The results of the analyses revealed that (1) the posttest mean score of English writing ability of the students was higher than their pretest mean score at the significance level of .05, and the blended learning using local culture content had a large effect size; (2) students developed positive attitudes toward the blended learning using local culture content. They perceived that blended learning and the use of local culture content brought many benefits which enhanced their English writing ability; for example, it provided more opportunity to learn, and it was easier to plan for writing.