scholarly journals Autonomous Language Learning In Self-Access Spaces: Moodle in Action

2016 ◽  
pp. 72-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Dofs ◽  
Moira Hobbs

Over the past few decades language educators have experienced an enormous growth in the use of digital technology, both for themselves and for their students. Along with the internationalisation and stronger business focus of education that most of us have been experiencing, many institutions around the world are now undergoing a push towards new methods of teaching and learning, which involve less face-to-face contact and more online instruction and learning. This paper takes the reader through reflections on the development of an online resource for students, of which one of the aims was to foster learner autonomy. Knowledge has been gleaned from the authors’ experiences of enhancing their expertise in the use of Moodle. The rationale behind the development, as well as the background to the final choice of resources and online tools for the autonomous learning components and learner engagement are explored. The writers also reflect on the effectiveness of the site and suggest improvements for future development of autonomous language learning (ALL) Moodle sites.

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Beata Lewis Sevcikova

The present research offers an assessment of the online open source tools used in the L2 academic writing, teaching, and learning environment. As fairly little research has been conducted on how to best use online automated proofreaders for educational purposes, the objective of this study is to examine the potential of such online tools. Unlike most studies focusing on Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE), this research concentrates only on the online, open-source writing aide, grammar, spelling and writing style improvement tools available either for free or as paid versions. The accessibility and ability to check language mistakes in academic writings such as college-level essays in real time motivates both, teachers and students. The findings of this empirical-based study indicate that despite some bias, computerized feedback facilitates language learning, assists in improving the quality of writing, and increases student confidence and motivation. The current study can help with the understanding of students’ needs in writing, as well as in their perception of automated feedback.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 154-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Benson

The importance of narrative inquiry as an alternative approach to research in the humanities and social sciences has grown considerably over the past 20 years or so. Over the past decade, it has also become an established approach to research on second and foreign language learning and teaching through the publication of numerous data-based studies and several texts on narrative inquiry for applied linguistics. Focusing on studies published since 2008, this article outlines the scope of narrative research on language learning and teaching at the present time. It discusses recent innovations in data collection (the use of mixed and longitudinal methods and the use of narrative frames and multimodal data) and data analysis (focus on the discourse of narrative and the use of narrative writing). It concludes that these innovations represent a welcome trend toward methodological diversity that is strengthening the contribution of narrative inquiry to our understanding of the experience of language teaching and learning.


Author(s):  
M. Ali Ghufron ◽  
Fitri Nurdianingsih

This study revealed the strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness of the flipped classroom with CALL in EFL writing class. A mixed-method approach was used to achieve the goals of the study. An embedded quasi-experimental methodology design was used to achieve the aims of this study (i.e., quantitative and qualitative data analysis). There were a hundred and fifty Indonesian EFL university learners who participated in this study. This study also involved 14 EFL writing teachers who experienced implementing the flipped classroom with CALL from five universities. The results of this study revealed that a flipped classroom with CALL in EFL writing class has many advantages, such as stimulating learner autonomy, improving teaching and learning processes, providing more time for EFL writing and input during face-to-face meetings, promoting active learning, student learning responsibility, and peer collaboration. Besides, some drawbacks were also found from its implementation. However, implementing the flipped classroom in the current study positively affects the EFL writing course. This study implies that teachers can include online resources such as videos from reputable sources or make their videos as learning materials if possible.


Open Praxis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Harrison

Over the past decade we have seen a rise in the adoption and proliferation of social technologies, and along with these a move to build on the capacity to embrace new pedagogies and practices that can open our boundaries for both teaching and learning. How do we determine what we mean by space specifically in online environments and how can we examine whether our intentions for learning in them are effective? How can these spaces be enacted as learning spaces and how do we design for them? We will need to develop new methods and frameworks for analysis which takes into consideration how we conceive, perceive and enact our digital spaces and how this impacts on our practices and approaches to teaching and learning within these spaces. This paper will explore how we envision space, how a spatial perspective might be used to help assess and design these spaces, and will provide an analytical framework to examine the tensions we encounter when teaching and learning in open digital spaces.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Bora Demir ◽  
Görsev Sönmez

The aim of this study was to investigate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructors’ apperceptions about practical, technical, and affective aspects of online teaching as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our study involved qualitative data collection using an open-ended interview form, including three sections developed by the researchers. EFL instructors (N =18) from randomly selected three state and three private universities of Turkey participated in the study. The results of the content analysis indicated that instructors perceived the distance teaching environment less favorably than the face-to-face environment, although they generally feel competent using the technology. However, the instructors were also found to have negative attitudes towards the psychology of distance teaching by reporting it as boring and an awkward way of teaching. The study concluded that EFL instructors regard distance teaching as inconvenient since teaching and learning foreign languages involve face-to-face interaction and higher learner engagement and motivation.


1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 442-442
Author(s):  
Natalie Lefkowitz

This volume contains edited versions of 13 of the papers presented at a 1994 University of Edinburgh conference entitled, “Issues and Perspectives in Language Learning: Scottish and Wider Dimensions.” The general topics include: I. The typical pattern of studies in language departments (four papers), II. The relationship of different parts of degree curricula (four papers), III. Languages in the working world; learners, their backgrounds and expectations (one paper), IV. Developments of new methods and using new technology (three papers), V. The particular place of language study in Scotland (one paper), and VI. A summary report of the Round Table discussions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 386-392
Author(s):  
Samar Alharbi

In the modern era of teaching and learning, the education system witnessed many changes. New methods of teaching and learning are utilised in order to adapt to the growth of technology. Teachers used some teaching methods, such as online teaching, face to face teaching or a combination of both online and face to face known as blended learning (BL) environment. BL has been proven its advantages empirically in many studies. One of the significant advantages is that BL is used as an extended learning environment to reinforce knowledge and make learning more accessible by utilising technology and online resources. However, there are some drawbacks of implementing blended learning, such as the demand of time and teachers' efforts to provide feedback and follow up students. This paper examined the use of BL in higher education. The first part of this paper reviewed some empirical studies in BL.  The second part presented the theoretical framework of using BL. Benefits and challenges of implementing BL in higher education regarding Saudi universities are explained. Lastly, the paper concluded with some critical remarks.


Author(s):  
Andrew F. Ross ◽  
Sarah Luehrman Axelrod

When Harvard University moved all instruction into an online modality in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Language Center positioned itself as a critical source of guidance on best practices in this new environment. For Harvard, an institution that has always prioritized face-to-face instruction above all other formats, 2020 has been a watershed moment that has forced faculty to reconsider nearly everything about the way they organize and deliver their courses. Owing to the pandemic crisis, we find ourselves in a moment in which the efficacy of these modalities in language learning is, despite initial concerns, being proven day after day. In the context of this crisis, The Language Center has developed training and support mechanisms for this transition, focusing on desired learning outcomes, centering instructor and student experience, and positioning the language faculty to be able to successfully employ hybrid and online approaches to instruction that will continue to serve them well after the crisis abates. This contribution describes the strategies and actions that The Language Center took to ensure the success of the remote teaching and learning of languages at Harvard University in the first term of the 2020-2021 academic year, after the emergency evacuation of campus in March of 2020, and offers a model for other centers engaged in academic support. While extensive insights on the success of these efforts are still pending, given the timing of this crisis and the interventions undertaken, early feedback suggests that faculty have found provided resources to be useful, and their intention is to adopt aspects of technologically-mediated instruction in their face-to-face teaching going forward.


The 21ST century education is a revolution that encounters the use of ICT (Information Communication Technology) as a component tool of education aligned with the contexts of teaching and learning. It is widely used in every surface of education particularly in teaching and learning EFL (English as a Foreign Language). When it comes to EFL education, traditional language teaching methodologies are intensively substituted with the new technological-integrated approaches. Currently, blended learning is used as an applicable approach and EFL education is surrounded by its features. It has really restructured the educational context and has paved the way for effective EFL practices. In fact, blended learning cooperates EFL educators a variety of interactive language activities while it is double component, integration of face-to-face education and technology-generated approaches. Therefore, this article investigates the use of blended learning approach in EFL education and undertakes an in-depth review of literatures, practices, and authentic enhancements of blended learning in the context of EFL education. The study enriches creative ideas toward the use of blended learning approaches in EFL classrooms. It indicates that blended learning approach provides a flexible language learning platform, endorse academic achievements of the learners, and influences EFL education.


Author(s):  
Anup Denzil Veigas, Et. al.

Teaching a language and addressing the need of the learners is a complex and challenging exercise. Language plays a prominent role in teaching learning process; however, when it comes to teaching of English language, these challenges multiply especially, within the classroom context because of the learners and their diversity of choices. The Irony behind teaching and learning of English language lies in its context in the global level. English Language seems to have many challenges because of the need to proficiency, competency and fluency of users who are capable of utilising the language skills mainly, LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) to gain employment in global markets. But today, teaching the learners the skills of the language has become more challenging because the learners exhibit a negative feeling to language classes. The present paper emphasises on making teachers more adaptable for the teaching process by avoiding various classroom discrepancies and preparing the learners to utilize new methods for better and effective skill-based language learning.


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