Investigating the effectiveness of the uses of electronic and paper-based dictionaries in promoting incidental word learning

Abstract

Although there are a numerous of studies in the facilitative effects of dictionary consultation in promoting word learning, no research has ever been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a hybrid use of paper-based and electronic dictionaries. The present research, therefore, responds to this call and compares the effectiveness of the pure use of either paper-based or electronic dictionary and the hybrid use of both. The empirical results demonstrate the superiority of the paper-based dictionary over the electronic dictionary, the usefulness of repetition and the greater effectiveness of the hybrid use of both paper-based and electronic dictionary than the pure use of either. We further conclude that the significance of processing for constructing memory, repetition for consolidating memory and diversity for reinforcing memory should be emphasized.