Assessing the Potential Role of Technology in Promoting Self-Directed Language Learning: A Collaborative Project Between Japan and Sweden

Relay Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 346-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Viberg ◽  
Jarmo Laaksolahti ◽  
Jo Mynard ◽  
Anna Mavroudi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
End Users ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Collaborative Project ◽  
Analysis And Evaluation ◽  
Institute Of Technology

This report begins with a summary of ways in which technology has been used to attempt to increase learning opportunities and support for self-directed learners at Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS) with limited success. A collaboration between KUIS and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden has highlighted the need for a more thorough needs analysis and evaluation of the learning environment before any technological designs are implemented. In addition, such implementation should be done in collaboration with the end users. The second part of the paper provides preliminary results related to an initial needs analysis conducted with end users at KUIS that will form the basis of ongoing collaboration with the aim of creating a platform and/or series of tools that will enhance self-directed language learning.

Language Education and Language Ideologies in Australian Print Media

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Mason ◽  
John Hajek
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Economic Resource ◽  
The Press ◽  
The Media ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Development Of Language

Abstract Across most predominantly English-speaking countries, classroom-based language education plays an important role in the internationalization of young citizens. However, the quality of language learning opportunities in many countries is less than ideal. The development of language education policy is influenced in part by broader societal perceptions of language, and these perceptions are often reflected and shaped by the media. The case of Australia is an interesting one for focus, because media and policy attention to the discipline is high, and yet to date there has been no comprehensive analysis of its representation. To fill this gap, the authors subject 261 news articles from Australian newspapers between 2007 and 2016 to mixed-methods content analysis, guided by Ruiz’s three orientations to language. The results show that language is positioned as a problem, and as an economic resource, but not as a social resource, nor as a right of everyday citizens. The ideological positioning of language in the press has implications for the perceptions of the role of language education, and for student uptake.

Harnessing the Potential of Technology to Support Self-Directed Language Learning in Online Learning Settings––Online Symposium Review

Relay Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 46-50
Author(s):  
Hatice Celebi
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Royal Institute ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Symposium Review ◽  
Institute Of Technology

Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden) and the Research Institute for Learner Autonomy Education at Kanda University of International Studies (Chiba, Japan) held a joint online symposium on October 15, 2020. It was an open event for those interested in the design and use of technology and self-directed, autonomous language learning in online settings. Examining 15 of the event’s internationally focused presentations, this article aims to provide an overview of the symposium by summarizing the main themes in research and practice relating to technology and self-directed learning. The article will conclude with a commentary on the takeaways and issues for further reflection.

The Role of Social Networking Sites for Language Learning in UK Higher Education

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 35-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy Brick
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Language Education ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Uk Higher Education

This paper seeks to assess the potential for Social Networking Sites (SNSs) to play a role in language learning in the UK Higher Education (HE) sector. These sites are characterised by certain features including learning materials, synchronous and asynchronous video and text chat facilities, a peer review feature, and some sites also incorporate an award system, in the form of points (http://www.livemocha.com) or ‘berries’ (http://www.busuu.com). This serves to motivate participants by rewarding them for their progress and for their peer review activities. In order to consider if, or how, to integrate SNSs into the UK HE curriculum it is important to consider the views of practitioners and learners towards such sites and whether they consider them to have a potential role in HE language education. The paper will report on the outcomes of two small research projects which have sought to establish the view of both practitioners and students towards SNSs in the HE context. When considered overall the practitioners were more positive about the site than the learners.

scholarly journals ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING NEEDS ANALYSIS IN RADIOENGINEERING SPHERE

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Yuliia V. Baklazhenko ◽  
Tetiana L. Savchuk
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Kyiv Polytechnic Institute ◽  
Listening And Speaking

The present article is an attempt to conduct needs analysis of English learners in Radio Engineering sphere. The relevance of the topic is explained by the growing need for ESP programs tailored to specific learners` needs. Needs analysis is defined as an information gathering and interpreting process aimed at curriculum design or modification to better suit the learners` needs. Authors propose an overview of the current approaches to Needs Analysis and its constituent parts. The results of a questionnaire conducted among the students of Radio Technical Faculty, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, are presented and discussed. The results seem to emphasize the growing need of students to concentrate on IT topics of study as well as to introduce modern IT tools of teaching and learning. Thus, most students need to use English at work and during communication in the spheres of Electronics and IT. The majority of them expect to improve speaking and translation skills while they view most difficulties in speaking and writing. Most students seem to be quite motivated to study ESP and prefer to do it in a small group. In the light of transformation of study because of massive use of IT technologies and the Internet, the respondents largely view the role of a teacher as a language source and a facilitator rather than traditional person responsible for class study. The conducted analysis allowed to reveal the potential spheres and situations of the use of English by students, students` strengths and weaknesses in the language use, their motivation and interests concerning English study, their preferences as for the mode of study and priorities in ESP reading, writing, listening and speaking. The ongoing needs analysis is the prospect of the further research in the field.

POPDC proteins and cardiac function

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1393-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brand
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Muscle Disease ◽  
Disease Genes ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
And Function

Abstract The Popeye domain-containing gene family encodes a novel class of cAMP effector proteins in striated muscle tissue. In this short review, we first introduce the protein family and discuss their structure and function with an emphasis on their role in cyclic AMP signalling. Another focus of this review is the recently discovered role of POPDC genes as striated muscle disease genes, which have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia and muscular dystrophy. The pathological phenotypes observed in patients will be compared with phenotypes present in null and knockin mutations in zebrafish and mouse. A number of protein–protein interaction partners have been discovered and the potential role of POPDC proteins to control the subcellular localization and function of these interacting proteins will be discussed. Finally, we outline several areas, where research is urgently needed.

The Effect of Path Length and Display Size on Memory for Spatial Information

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Guérard ◽  
Sébastien Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Path Length ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Recall Performance ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Length Effect ◽  
Serial Memory ◽  
Fixed Reference ◽  
A Minor

In serial memory for spatial information, some studies showed that recall performance suffers when the distance between successive locations increases relatively to the size of the display in which they are presented (the path length effect; e.g., Parmentier et al., 2005) but not when distance is increased by enlarging the size of the display (e.g., Smyth & Scholey, 1994). In the present study, we examined the effect of varying the absolute and relative distance between to-be-remembered items on memory for spatial information. We manipulated path length using small (15″) and large (64″) screens within the same design. In two experiments, we showed that distance was disruptive mainly when it is varied relatively to a fixed reference frame, though increasing the size of the display also had a small deleterious effect on recall. The insertion of a retention interval did not influence these effects, suggesting that rehearsal plays a minor role in mediating the effects of distance on serial spatial memory. We discuss the potential role of perceptual organization in light of the pattern of results.

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