Research Methodology
3.1 Research Design
The present study is a quasi-experimental research in the form of one group pre-test and post- test design with both quantitative and qualitative data analyses. The experiment with the Digital Storytelling Website (DSW) lasts 10 weeks. The study includes fifty participants. Prior to the experiment, the participants are measured in their speaking ability by using a pre- test. Then, post-test is given to each participant after all of them use the DSW for 10 weeks. In addition, the participants express their reactions concerning improving their speaking ability by using with the DSW through an interview.
3.2 Research Participants
A group of fifty first-year undergraduate students who study English I (203101) at Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, in the second trimester of academic year 2012 is purposively selected as the participants in this study. The reason that the researcher has chosen the first-year undergraduate students, who study English I to be the participants in this study, is that students, who study English I, which is the first compulsory English course in the university, should be trained to acquire certain speaking skills after they finish the course and this is suitable for the present study.
3.3 Research Instruments
3.3.1 Digital Storytelling Website (DSW)
The Digital Storytelling Website (DSW) consists of teaching materials and exercises. It is designed by the researcher. In webpage, there are two units, and each unit has three exercises and a test. Moreover students had to do their own digital storytelling project and submit in the website. There are the basic guides explaining how to do the digital storytelling and the sample of the project in website also.