Student Perceptions and Usage of VERBDICT in Arabic Language Learning: A Preliminary Study at UiTM Kelantan

Abstract

The use of online dictionaries is now becoming a very important tool in the process of learning languages, especially Arabic. It is widely applied in various learning activities due to its significant influence on learning outcomes. Although online dictionaries are easily available on the internet, Malay-Arabic dictionaries that focus on Arabic words with their definitions, such as VerbDict (http://www.verbdict.abqarie.com/), are still not given much attention. Studies related to its use and students' perception of its usefulness have not yet been identified. Therefore, this study was conducted to see the use of UiTM Kelantan Branch students of the Arabic verb dictionary (VerbDict) and their perception of its usefulness in learning Arabic. This study used a quantitative approach, and the data were obtained using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. A total of 136 students were selected through purposive sampling from three faculties of study at UiTM Kelantan Branch to answer the online questionnaire. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 23.0 software. The findings of the study prove that i) the level of use of the verb dictionary is high (M=4.06-4.20; SP:0.78-0.92) and ii) their perception of the usefulness of the dictionary was also high (M=4.35-4.45; SP:0.64-0.69). This dictionary is proposed to be widely used for the benefit of students.