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Although the results are not clear, there is a correlation between time spent studying
vocabulary with the flashcards and an increase in TOEIC score. Within the scope of the
present study, however, it is not possible to say that this increase was an effect of the use of the
flashcards. Several significant variables were uncontrolled. The fact that students were rewarded
for time spent studying with the flashcards was perhaps an incentive to cheat. Students were not
monitored during their flashcard study sessions, and it is possible that students could be accruing
flashcard study time without actually studying. One weakness of the Word Engine administrative
function (V-Admin) is that it can only record a limited amount of data. Some students might try
to cheat the system by logging in, clicking on random responses quickly, and then remain logged
in. In this way, they would be able to achieve bonus points without actually studying. The fact
that all students did in fact expand their English vocabulary suggests that this didn’t happen to a
great extent.
As mentioned above, another factor that has to be considered is that vocabulary is not the
only component that contributes to success on TOEIC. Listening ability, background knowledge
and the ability to construct schema, as well as variables such as motivation and a person’s actual
condition on the day of the test all impact upon scores. Perhaps students who were willing to
spend extended time with the Word Engine were also generally highly motivated to study in other
areas related to TOEIC, and this study may have impacted scores.
The fact that the average improvement in TOEIC scores for the subject students was 13 points
higher than those who did not study with the word Engine is also not definitive. The subject
students were self-selected inasmuch as they chose to study TOEIC. This indicates a higher
interest and general motivation for these particular students. Moreover, the course consisted of
other direct TOEIC teaching apart from self-study with flashcards.
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