The Use of Videos as a Cognitive Stimulator and Instructional Tool in Tertiary ESL Classroom

Abstract

Even though technology is known to have a transformative effect on teaching and learning, videos are not widely used as an instructional tool in the classrooms in Malaysia. This paper focuses on using videos a cognitive stimulator and an instructional tool especially in tertiary ESL classrooms. This paper the potential of using videos for retention of subject content, stimulation of the cognitive aspects of language learning and to contextualize learning. Furthermore, the constraints of using videos an instructional tool in ESL (English as Second Language) classrooms are identified. In the first phase, the Fuzzy Delphi Technique was employed to obtain consensus among 16 experts on the potential of using videos. In the second phase, an exploratory implementation study was conducted with 15 first-year student volunteers in an English Language proficiency course at an institute of higher learning in the Klang Valley. Students’ work and responses were gathered after conducting an ESL lesson using video, and these data formed the basis for analysis and discussion in this paper. It is observed that students enjoy lessons using videos and produced better quality written tasks when videos were employed for English instruction. Findings of this study show that ESL learners could benefit from using video as an instructional tool.