Editorial

Relay Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Graduate Studies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Learning Journey ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Difficult Times

We welcome you to Volume 4, Issue 1 of Relay Journal. Undoubtedly, all of us, whether as educators, advisors, other professionals, or learners, have continued to experience great change in our work or learning over the past year or more. During times of change, in order for the change to be developmental, an individual must be able to reach a sense of equilibrium (Zittoun, 2006, Zittoun et al., 2013). This concept of equilibrium is also referred to by Damasio (2019, p. 6) as a sense of “homeostasis” to which all living beings constantly are driven to in order to feel fulfilled and satisfied. Through change and the subsequent restructuring of how we function in our teaching or learning in order to reach a new stability, our umwelt (see Uexüell, 1987; Zittoun, 2006), i.e., our own semiotic world, can also be altered. In the context of language learning, going through changes, finding balance, and undergoing a transformation of perspectives are all experiences that learners and teachers alike face. Engaging in reflection can help students to cope with these transitions and ultimately better understand and benefit from the process (Kato & Mynard, 2016). It is also through reflective practice that educators are likewise able to successfully handle and grow from potentially difficult times of transformation or development (Argyris & Schön 1974; Farrell, 2015, 2019). In this issue, we are happy to present a collection of papers which represent examples of such reflections. Readers can get a closer look at various aspects of advising in language learning through analytic accounts of its implementation by educators. Additionally, valuable insights into the learning journey may be gained from reflections on topics such as self-directed collaborative learning among undergraduate students or the evolution of a distance learner’s identity while engaging in graduate studies. Finally, those who are interested in the intersection of technology and self-directed learning will find something valuable in these articles as well.

scholarly journals DOES REFLECTIVE PRACTICE AND PERSONALISED FEEDBACK FOSTER LEARNING?

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-105
Author(s):  
MOHAMAD AZHARI ABU BAKAR
Keyword(s):  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Reflective Writing ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Learning Journey ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
High Level ◽  
Education Science ◽  
Personalised Feedback

Reflective practice is proven as an evidence-based approach in education science. It guides learners to actively engage in critical evaluation of their thoughts, actions, and experience to construct a meaningful framework of understanding. Implementation of reflective practice in learning nurtures students’ self-directed learning to be accountable for their learning journey (Knowles, Gilbourne, Borrie, & Nevill, 2001). Eventually, they can experience deep learning (Parry, Walsh, Larsen, & Hogan, 2012), with the activation of active thinking (Louis & Sutton, 1991) and working memory. The growth of reflective practice requires a high level of attentional control, and metacognition to produce a large spectrum of content knowledge with various mental languages (emotive, volitive, and cognitive). However, the contents of reflective practice have to be guided with personalised feedbacks by the instructors to foster the quality of reflective practice. The instructor has to be catered with the structured rubric of evaluation to provide professional feedback to the student's reflective writing. Therefore, in this study, each reflective writing produced by the student was evaluated based on five categories of the reflective style produced by Bruno & Gilardi (2014).

Technology and Learner Autonomy: An Argument in Favor of the Nexus of Formal and Informal Language Learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Lai
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Technology Aids ◽  
Constructed Self ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis article discusses some of the current research on technology in relation to learner autonomy, outlining major findings on the relationship between technology and learner autonomy in formal and informal learning contexts. Extant literature has discussed both teacher-initiated technology-enhanced formal learning environments and learner-constructed self-directed learning experience in informal learning contexts. Although valuable in the insights it provides into how technology aids learner autonomy, the two bodies of literature have largely been independent from each other, which may constrain our understanding.

scholarly journals Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) among Foundation Students from High and Low Proficiency Levels to Learn English Language

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (Number 2) ◽  
pp. 55-81
Author(s):  
Abu Bakar Razali ◽  
Lim Ying Xuan ◽  
Arshad Abd. Samad
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
T Test ◽  
Language Learning Strategies ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Directed Learning

Purpose – In the field of second language education, self-directed learning is really important as it can empower students to attain optimal success in language learning by engaging students to express their ideas confidently, think reflectively and make use of language learning strategies. The main aim of the present study is to investigate students’ self-directed learning readiness (SDLR) in a foundation program in a public university in Malaysia so as to find out how they perceive this approach can improve their learning of the English language at tertiary level. More specifically, the researchers intend to find answers to these research questions: 1) Are foundation students ready to use self-directed learning strategies in English Language learning? (i.e. awareness, motivation and language learning strategies); 2) Is there a significant difference in the three attributes (i.e., awareness, motivation and language learning strategies) of self-directed learning among foundation students?; and 3) Is there a significant difference between English language proficiency (upper and lower) and the three attributes (i.e., awareness, motivation, language learning strategies) in using self-directed learning strategies? Methodology – A set of survey questionnaires with a 6-point Likert scale were administered to 400 students attending an English proficiency course (i.e., Introduction to Academic English) in the first semester of the Foundation Studies for Agricultural Science program. The data of the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test. Findings – Results revealed that the respondents have a rather high degree of readiness to apply self-directed learning strategies in learning English. Motivation has the highest mean scores (M=4.57), followed by language learning strategies (M=4.41) and awareness (M=4.34). Results also showed that there are no difference in terms of SDLR depending on English proficiency levels, namely lower level (MUET Bands 1,2,3) and upper level (MUET Bands 4,5) (p>.05). Significance – The findings are beneficial for students to learn more about their readiness to apply the self-directed learning strategies. In particular, these findings also provide insights for lecturers, program administrators, curriculum developers, and policy makers to plan and implement suitable teaching methods, course outlines, and curricula for the development of the students’ English language abilities.

scholarly journals Teaching Communicatively in a Classroom with Mobile-sourced Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Rupert Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Classroom Teaching ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Shared Experience ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Material Sources ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Student Reactions

Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) is now common in extra-curricular language learning, but, more recently, teachers have increasingly sought ways to utilise MALL as a communicative classroom tool. Research into the extent that MALL can transform a whole communicative language course, and learners’ impressions of such courses, is scarce. This study, therefore, sought the opinions of five undergraduate learners on a short communicative English language course based on communicative principles, with materials entirely sourced from learner’s own devices. Learner reflections elicited in interviews suggested that MALL had aided the facilitation of an environment that was interactive, motivating, differentiated, authentic and autonomous, at times potentially more so than on a course using traditional material sources. The novel aspect of allowing freedom in choosing materials caused some complications, though none were considered insurmountable with minor adjustments to the course plan. In summary, student reactions implied that a communicative course could be taught exclusively through mobile-sourced materials, but further research is required to identify exactly how this would best be achieved. Nevertheless, findings here give reasons for practitioners to explore methods of classroom teaching inclusive of MALL that encourage self-directed learning, the creation of a platform for interaction, personalization, differentiation, a shared experience for learners and elements of game-play.

Motivation in Relation to Self-Directed Learning and Collaborative Learning Questionnaire

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Choy ◽  
Feng Deng ◽  
Ching Sing Chai ◽  
Hwee Ling Joyce Koh ◽  
Pei-Shan Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Directed Learning

Online Virtual Learning Environments

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Adamo-Villani ◽  
Hazar Dib
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning Environment ◽  
Virtual Learning Environments ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Complex Information ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Interactive 3D

This article is an overview of online virtual learning environments for discovery learning. The paper defines Virtual Learning Environments and discusses literature findings on the benefits of using web-based VEs for self-directed learning. It gives an overview of the latest technologies/platforms used to develop online VEs, discusses development and delivery challenges posed by complex, information-rich web-based 3D environments, and describes possible solutions that can be adopted to overcome current limitations. The paper also presents and discusses two 3D web-deliverable virtual learning environments that were recently developed by the authors: the “Virtual Tour of the Muscatatuck State Hospital Historic District (MSHHD)” and the “VELS: Virtual Environment for Learning Surveying”. The “Interactive 3D Tour of MSHHD” is a web-based digital heritage application that uses Virtual Reality as a tool to document and preserve historic sites and educate the public about them; the “VELS” is an online virtual learning environment whose objective is to help undergraduate students learn surveying concepts and practices.

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