Developing a Turkish digital dictionary for foreign students: A design based research (B1 example)

The aim of this research is to develop a Turkish digital dictionary for foreign students learning Turkish at the B1 level. In this regard, a digital dictionary design was created based on the vocabulary teaching activities in the B1 Turkish textbook prepared by the Yunus Emre Institute, and the effects of this design on the success of vocabulary teaching were examined. In the preparation of the Turkish Digital Dictionary application, limitations such as literal meaning, connotation, synonyms, antonyms, homophony, metaphorical meaning, and technical terms were applied in terms of semantic relationships. The research method used in the development of the dictionary is a design-based research method. In the study, data obtained from SABT 1-2, faculty members, and student interview forms were analyzed using a mixed research method. Quantitative data were analyzed using the SPSS 30 program, while the data obtained from the interview forms were analyzed through content analysis. In the analysis of the data, it was initially determined through Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests that there were no significant differences in the results, and the data were analyzed using parametric tests, specifically the t-test. During the data collection process, the Vocabulary Meaning Success Test was applied twice in both the control and experimental groups during the design and improvement stages. Opinions from students and instructors were collected after the dictionary design and improvement phases. A total of 32 students (n=32) from Bayburt University's Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center, who were studying at the B1 level, participated in the study. In addition, 2 instructors (n=2) formed the study group. According to the findings of the research, it was determined that the Turkish Digital Dictionary, including its improved version, was more effective in vocabulary teaching compared to traditional methods. Additionally, it was found that both the B1-level students and instructors liked this digital dictionary and wanted to use it in classes. These results indicate that the Turkish Digital Dictionary application can be used as an effective technological tool in vocabulary teaching.