The relationship between identity development and medical students’ performance in technology-integrated English language classrooms

Abstract

Background: Contemporary technologies have created a unique set of circumstances that shape the life experiences and identities of medical students. These circumstances diverge and extend beyond the contexts experienced by previous generations in the pre-digital era. Methods: We explored how medical students’ identity development and English language performance were related in technology-integrated classrooms from February to June 2023. The research, a cross-sectional quantitative survey, studied 450 medical students at Islamic Azad University of Kerman, Iran. The study, a cross-sectional quantitative survey, was conducted on 450 medical students at the Islamic Azad University of Kerman, Iran. To collect the data, an identity development questionnaire in technology-integrated classrooms was submitted to participants either in person or via email. Data were collected using an identity development questionnaire in technology-integrated classrooms, and distributed to participants in person or via email. Furthermore, the participants’ English language proficiency scores reported by their English instructors were used to assess their English language performance. Results: The study found a positive correlation between identity development, its sub-scales, and the participants’ English language performance in technology-integrated classrooms. Commitment-making emerged as the most efficacious factor in predicting English Language Proficiency within the ambit of identity development. Within the scope of identity development, commitment-making was identified as the most effective factor in predicting English language proficiency. Conclusion: While contemporary digital technologies are not crucial for identity formation, they offer enriched opportunities for individuals to explore and express their sense of self. Particularly in the medical field, students can utilize these technologies to engage in diverse and collaborative interactions. This not only allows them to connect with others and participate in various communication modes, but also aids in the expression of their identity, idea exchange, and information acquisition across various contexts.