The Use of CAKE Mobile Application Among ESL Undergraduate Students in the ODL Programme

Abstract

The use of technology has become an essential part of modern education. This study explored the impact of the CAKE mobile app on the speaking skills learning experiences of Online Distance Learning (ODL) students and investigated their perceptions of the app. This is a qualitative study which involved 15 ODL students taking the JUE 100 Preparatory English course at Universiti Sains Malaysia, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the data was conducted inductively, taking into account the participants' expressions and the researchers’ interpretations. The findings revealed that the use of the CAKE mobile app has positively impacted students' learning experiences by improving their motivation, fluency and confidence. Besides that, the students had a generally positive perception of the CAKE mobile app. The app’s updated content, use of real cartoon and movie clips and self-paced learning features were highly appreciated by the students. Challenges such as internet connectivity issues and limited opportunities for interaction were also reported. This first study ever conducted in Malaysia study provides valuable insights into the potential use of the CAKE mobile app as a tool for enhancing ESL students' speaking skills in higher institutions in Malaysia specifically for ODL students.