EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, cilt.0, sa.0, ss.1, 2023 (SSCI)
This study aims to investigate how social media tools, in other words social network
services (SNS), afects the success of Japanese language learners in learning Japanese culture in undergraduate programs. For this research, a mixed method approach
was used with a quantitative, quasi-experimental research design including a pretest-post-test control group experimental model for quantitative data and an openended follow-up questionnaire for qualitative data. The topic of Shintō was selected
for the Japanese culture lesson to be taught to a control group (indoor and face to
face) and three experimental groups with diferent SNS tools (Zoom, YouTube and
Instagram). An achievement test was used to measure success, with 30 questions
in a pilot test reduced to 27 after item analysis. Two-factor ANOVA was used for
the analysis. After measurement four groups’ value was found insignifcant, a Sample Pair Test was implemented for each groups’ pre-test-post-test results. The results
revealed that all groups showed a statistically signifcant diference between the
pre-test and post-test scores. The traditional Group and the YouTube Group had the
highest mean achievement score,. This suggests that the social media teaching environment is as efective for the learning process as the indoor and face to face environment and learning tools. Furthermore, the qualitative data collected in this study
revealed both positive and limited aspects of SNS tools. Participants highlighted the
inadequacies of using SNS as the main learning environment. In the light of these
data, this paper concludes that traditional classroom training is still useful in teaching Japanese culture, and SNS can be used as a supportive instrument.