scholarly journals Motivation of Parents Towards Reading Multilingual eBooks To Pre-School Children

Author(s):  
Kwee Teck See ◽  
Bava Harji Madhubala ◽  
Ah Choo Koo

<span class="TextRun SCXW153678227" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The use of mobile devices for language learning, under the Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) has been found to motivate children to read digital print. However, parents need to be convinced of the benefits of this new technology-assisted learning method within a multilingual learning context. A case study was conducted to propose a MALL framework in which educators and parents created a shared meaningful learning environment to develop the children’s emergent multilingual literacy skills, using mobile devices installed with interactive multilingual </span><span class="TextRun SCXW153678227" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">eB</span><span class="TextRun SCXW153678227" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">ooks. This paper reports the findings, specifically on the parents’ attitude and motivation towards reading multilingual </span><span class="TextRun SCXW153678227" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">eBooks</span><span class="TextRun SCXW153678227" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> with their children. A group of 25 multi-ethnic families, together with their 5-year-old children participated in this study. A mixed-method explanatory research design obtained parent's attitude and motivation from a questionnaire, interview, and feedback form. The results show a high level of parents’ acceptance toward reading eBook with their children. Parents attributed their positive attitude and motivation towards MALL to the use of the multimedia, multilingual, and mobile platform. The MALL framework was also found to encourage parents and other adults to scaffold the children’s multilingual skills development. However, there were also setbacks toward the use of eBook as some parents expressed a stronger preference for printed books and were concerned with health issues associated with the children’s eBook use. Areas for improvements and future research are also made in this paper.</span>

Author(s):  
Bin Zou ◽  
Xinxin Yan ◽  
Hui Li

Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) has been developed rapidly and integrated into language learning in various levels in recent years, particularly for the young generation. Many previous studies reveal that young learners have autonomous learning in using online sources or apps in the MALL context. However, not many studies in China have examined Chinese students' use of MALL. Therefore, this chapter investigates how Chinese college students perceived their use of mobile devices for English as a foreign language (EFL) learning. It was based on two small studies and focused on using online sources and mobile apps for EFL learning on learners' mobile devices. Participants were 166 students from 21 universities in China. Research tools consisted of questionnaires and interviews. The findings demonstrate a high motivation among the participants in using online sources and apps for EFL learning on their mobile devices. The results also showed the impact of different regions on students' attitudes toward MALL. Mobile apps that are related to EFL class context could enhance students' EFL learning.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qamar Naith ◽  
Fabio Ciravegna

Purpose This paper aims to support small mobile application development teams or companies performing testing on a large variety of operating systems versions and mobile devices to ensure their seamless working. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a “hybrid crowdsourcing” method that leverages the power of public crowd testers. This leads to generating a novel crowdtesting workflow Developer/Tester- Crowdtesting (DT-CT) that focuses on developers and crowd testers as key elements in the testing process without the need for intermediate as managers or leaders. This workflow has been used in a novel crowdtesting platform (AskCrowd2Test). This platform enables testing the compatibility of mobile devices and applications at two different levels, high-level (device characteristics) or low-level (code). Additionally, a “crowd-powered knowledge base” has been developed that stores testing results, relevant issues and their solutions. Findings The comparison of the presented DT-CT workflow with the common and most recent crowdtesting workflows showed that DT-CT may positively impact the testing process by reducing time-consuming and budget spend because of the direct interaction of developers and crowd testers. Originality/value To authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to propose crowdtesting workflow based on developers and public crowd testers without crowd managers or leaders, which light the beacon for the future research in this field. Additionally, this work is the first that authorizes crowd testers with a limited level of experience to participate in the testing process, which helps in studying the behaviors and interaction of end-users with apps and obtains more concrete results.


Author(s):  
Neasa Ní Chiaráin ◽  
Ailbhe Ní Chasaide

This chapter describes the potential of text-to-speech synthesis (TTS) as a tool that can transform CALL platforms. Illustrating this point, a specific platform, An Scéalaí, is presented. By incorporating TTS, this platform facilitates the training of literacy skills, writing, and reading, with an emphasis at all times on the spoken language. The platform is described, as is the way in which it functions as a personalised tutor, prompting the learner towards self-correction. The prompts are delivered in both spoken/auditory form (using TTS voices) and in written form. The auditory feedback enables prooflistening, as well as spoken instructions pertaining to specific errors not picked up in the prooflistening process. The learner's progress is monitored throughout and records of the process are harvested for future research. The language in focus is Irish, and the linguistic complexities being targeted in the present implementation are explained, along with the relevant sociolinguistic context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaochuan Song ◽  
Xuan He

The psychological factors of English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL) teachers have significant roles in any language learning context. Previous studies in the related literature have shown that L2 learners’ learning, psychological factors, and emotional factors are closely related to teachers’ psychological factors. Mindfulness as one of the psychological attributes of L2 teachers and as a complex and multi-faceted construct influences l2 teachers’ professional development. Hence, this study aims to review the notion of mindfulness and its role in L2 teaching as a profession and pave a way for further research, highlighting its indispensable role in teacher-student relationships. To achieve this goal, this study has reviewed the theoretical perspectives of mindfulness, the construct of mindful L2 teaching education, and mindfulness as a closely related concept to teacher wellbeing. Based on the findings, some pedagogical implications for the policymakers, teacher trainers, materials developers, L2 teachers, and learners are provided. Finally, directions for future research are suggested to the interested L2 researchers.


2011 ◽  
pp. 102-114
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. Quaddus

Diffusion is the process by which a new technology spreads in its usage among a population. This chapter analyses the diffusion process of one aspect of the consumer-to-business electronic commerce (EC) in Australia, namely Internet shopping. The chapter first reviews three popular logistics diffusion models from the literature and then applies them to the EC diffusion data. Results show that the most flexible model is not significant, while the simple diffusion model (Blackman’s) is. It was also found that the past diffusion process had been mostly influenced by the “internal” interactions between the adopters and the potential adopters of EC. Further analysis of the Blackman’s model revealed some high level policy guidelines to enhance the diffusion process further into the future. Limitations of the study and future research directions were also identified.


Author(s):  
Brenda I. Lopez Ortiz ◽  
Mara J. Luna

This chapter explores instructor use of MALL in EFL/ESL classrooms. It begins with a discussion of instructor ownership as well as personal use of mobile technology. The chapter includes a discussion of overall perceptions and/or reported educational use and benefits and barriers (not tied to specific language skills.) The chapter goes on to describe how instructors use mobile devices while teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. This is followed by a brief discussion of mobile devices in situations that integrate all four skills. For each language skill, the authors also discuss perceived and/or reported benefits and barriers. Thereafter follows a discussion of trends in the focus of research questions, research methodologies, geographic location of studies, and a brief comparison in trends between earlier and later studies. The review ends with a conclusion that provides directions for future research and reminds the reader of the utility of this literature review.


Author(s):  
Hui-Yin Hsu ◽  
Shiang-Kwei Wang

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and mobile devices to assist language acquisition has expanded rapidly during the past decade given the prevalence of broadband networks and mobile phones. Many studies have examined how these technologies can facilitate English-language learning. The chapter will discuss the current research on using ICTs to create e-portfolios to support language learning, the role of mobile devices in the language-learning process, the impact of using ICTs on English-language learners' (ELLs) learning other than language acquisition (e.g., increasing their sense of a learning community), and the design procedure of such a learning environment. Future research in this area also will be discussed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 515-531
Author(s):  
Bin Zou ◽  
Xinxin Yan ◽  
Hui Li

Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) has been developed rapidly and integrated into language learning in various levels in recent years, particularly for the young generation. Many previous studies reveal that young learners have autonomous learning in using online sources or apps in the MALL context. However, not many studies in China have examined Chinese students' use of MALL. Therefore, this chapter investigates how Chinese college students perceived their use of mobile devices for English as a foreign language (EFL) learning. It was based on two small studies and focused on using online sources and mobile apps for EFL learning on learners' mobile devices. Participants were 166 students from 21 universities in China. Research tools consisted of questionnaires and interviews. The findings demonstrate a high motivation among the participants in using online sources and apps for EFL learning on their mobile devices. The results also showed the impact of different regions on students' attitudes toward MALL. Mobile apps that are related to EFL class context could enhance students' EFL learning.


Author(s):  
Sharon Black

Abstract While a considerable body of experimental work has been conducted since the beginning of the 1980s to study whether subtitles enhance the acquisition of other languages in adults, research of this type investigating subtitles as a tool for enhancing children’s language learning and literacy has received less attention. This study provides an integrative review of existing studies in this area and finds extensive evidence that subtitled AV content can indeed aid the acquisition of other languages in children and adolescents, and that it can moreover enhance the literacy skills of children learning to read in their L1 or the official language of the country in which they live and receive schooling. Recommendations for future research are also made, and it is highlighted that further research using eye tracking to measure children’s gaze behaviour could shed new light on their attention to and processing of subtitled AV content.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sintia Radu

Today, journalists need to engage in the most advanced technological methods of reaching their audience more efficiently as media professionals now battle a fast spread of unverified news. Journalists need to be quicker, but also retain the high level of accuracy that distinguishes the media from other sources of information. A very good example of the importance of the media needing to be faster and more accurate than ever, especially in the online environment, is the bombardment with false news on Facebook and Google during the 2016 U.S. elections. The purpose of my thesis is to explore what influences the adoption or resistance to new technology in newsrooms and how new technologies change the journalistic processes. I looked at how nonmanagement news producers dealt with technology throughout time, referring to the previous adoption of now embraced technologies. I also inquired about technologies that they are currently experimenting with, and attempted to predict the probability of them using other new technologies that they might not be familiar with. The research method that I used is qualitative semi-structured interviews with 11 news producers from newspapers across the United States, who talked about their perception on how their newsrooms deal with technology-related decisions. My results showed that non-management news producers believe newspaper newsrooms adopt technology based on preferences and industry practices. The media seems keen on experimenting with new types of technologies, but there are several aspects that they fail to consider. This makes the implementation of these technologies either hard to understand by users or very hard to carry out per se. News producers complained they are overburdened with tasks because of new technology that newsrooms are forcing onto them just because their peers in the industry are using it, while they admitted they would be interested in trying anything that might get them closer to their readers. If the technology serves them or not, they thought this is mostly related to leadership in the company. These results are to be considered by those who build technology for the media and those in charge of incorporating it in the work of news producers. Future research could take into consideration both including more diverse subject categories, as well as the academic environment in which journalism is still taught.


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