Effects of Using Digital Comics to Improve ESL Writing

Effects of Using Digital Comics to Improve ESL Writing
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Effects of Using Digital Comics to Improve ESL Writing
The use of information communication technology in education has been widespread today. It has not only improved the performance of teachers, but it has also been seen to enhance the performance of the learners. In ESL, ICT has also been adopted dramatically over the last few years. Digital comics are the most suggested and used tools in teaching ESL, due to the level of engagement created in the learning environment. The article presents findings of the study conducted to investigate the efficiency of these digital comics in ESL writing, targeting students with exceptionally low English proficiency. There are four primary language skills that learners need to acquire, writing, speaking, reading and listening. However, teachers face a significant challenge in getting their students excited about the learning process of these skills. Therefore, to get students excited about the process of learning their writing skills, the system curriculum adopted the use of information technology to spark interest among the students.
Use of comics primarily in the United States started in the 20th century, and slowly expanded to other areas in the world. This learning aid can e traced back to as early as the 1940’s. However, due to propaganda concerning the danger of these tools in education, they were suspended, but around the turn of the century, teachers started to bring them back in the system.

This risky move was credited to scientific research that supported the use of comic books, asserting that human beings are naturally drawn to pictures, hence enabling learners to maintain interest in what they were learning. Additionally, comics are regarded as the intermediaries between disciplines and concepts, making the former more understandable. Readers that may be unwilling or reluctant to study may be motivated by the use of comics that seem easy and contain non-threatening content that triggers interest and inspire confidence. Visual permanence used in comics also triggers learning since they enhance analytical and critical thinking abilities, crucial in language learning.
Digital comics are the way that these two factors have been merged to improve ESL teaching. The use of ICT in teaching has enabled instructors to create an engaging environment for the learners. The term Net Generation has been raised to be very conscious and reliant on technology in every aspect of their life. Therefore, in digital comics, the computers used to give both audio and visual technologies to not only educate but simultaneously entertain the reader. With these adaptations, ICT has become one of the most important tools of education in the current system of education. However, for the teachers to implement this technology, they need to have broad perspectives that make them accommodating enough apply it in the classroom. Therefore, for the success of ICT in schools, the teachers need to shift from the traditional mentalities of teaching and move to the new age of placing technology at the center of learning. Since writing has been identified as the primary challenge in ESL, having students practice their writing skills using digital comics will improve the conveying of information logically.
There have been some advantages and challenges of using digital comics in the classrooms. The most outstanding advantage is that the digital comics offer various usages in different settings of teaching. Comics attract learners of all ages, have simplified sentences and have an edge of fun in them. As opposed to the writing presented in academic journals and books, journals have smooth writing that is clear and quick to master. Secondly, the use of colorful pictures in comics facilitates the strengthening of students in the English language. The narration of stories for example, by building comic strips has immersed the fun involved in the language learning process. It also reduces the time taken in mastering a language, especially for those that do not enjoy reading or those afraid of failing.
On the other hand, digital comics have been proved to be a time-consuming process, especially since the students need to create the comic strips they use for practice. Taking of photographs, drawing and creating their masterpieces has been seen to take an unnecessary amount of time, and students get to take more time learning than they usually would. Additionally, digital comics need to have multiple computers for different students, therefore the need for an entire computer laboratory, which may be a challenge due to resource limitations.
The study, therefore, draws from its findings that teachers and trainees as well are very much receptive to ICT application, especially in ESL, since it has shown to improve the performance of the low achieving students. The positive attitude towards ICT has also been identified to stem from the increased exposure to the same, therefore enhancing the perception of ICT use in ESL. The respondents of the study defined the relationship between digital comics and improved learning in ESL. The appeal that is brought about by use of ICT is responsible for this. Despite the impracticality of the use of digital comics, their advantages far outweigh the challenges presented.
References
Melor Md Yunus, Hadi Salehi, & Mohamed Amin Embi. (September 01, 2012). Effects of Using Digital Comics to Improve ESL Writing. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology, 4, 18, 3462-3469.