scholarly journals CHAT framework to study affordances in CALL environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-21
Author(s):  
Aparajita Dey-Plissonneau
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Perception And Action ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Action Capabilities ◽  
Moment Interaction ◽  
Cultural Historical Activity ◽  
Technological Affordances ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
Complex Computer

This paper proposes to explore the theory of affordances in the light of cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) to study affordances in complex Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) environments. The term ‘affordance’ designates an action possibility that is offered by an environment or an object to an actor in the environment either “for good or ill” (Gibson, 1979). It depends not only on the inherent characteristics of the environment but also on the users’ perception and action capabilities. CALL affordances are said to be a unique combination of social, educational, linguistic, and technological affordances (Blin, 2016a). However, there is limited research to date that looks at affordances from an ecological perspective linking the micro moment-to-moment interaction levels with the macro level within which they are embedded in educational contexts (Blin, 2016a). This paper explores the analytical tools of CHAT (Leontyev, 1978; Engeström, 1987) as particularly suitable to investigate affordances at the macro, meso and micro levels of technology-mediated sociocultural educational contexts in CALL.

Using Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) materials in English as Second Language (ESL) classrooms: perspectives of teachers and students in United Arab Emirates

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramia DIRAR SHEHADEH MUSMAR
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Student Diversity ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Learning And Teaching

Integrating scaffolding-learning technologies has been recognized for its potential to create intellectual and engaging classroom interactions. In the United Arab Emirates, having language teachers employ computers as a medium of new pedagogical instrument for teaching second languages generated the idea of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) as a medium of an innovative pedagogical instrument for facilitating and scaffolding language learning, with an aspiration that it will lead to improved English language attainment and better assessment results. This study aims at investigating the perspectives of students and teachers on the advantageous and disadvantageous impacts of CALL on learning and teaching English as a second language in one public school in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The results show that CALL has a facilitating role in L2 classroom and that using CALL activities is advantageous in reducing English learning tension, boosting motivation, catering for student diversity, promoting self-directed language learning and scaffolding while learning English. The results additionally report that numerous aspects like time constraints, teachers’ unsatisfactory computer skills, insufficient computer facilities, and inflexible school courses undesirably affect the implementation of CALL in English classrooms. It is recommended that further studies should be undertaken to investigate the actual effect of CALL on students’ language proficiency. 

Mapping the landscape of computer-assisted language learning: an inventory of research

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antigoni Parmaxi ◽  
Panayiotis Zaphiris ◽  
Salomi Papadima-Sophocleous ◽  
Andri Ioannou
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coding Scheme ◽  
Sorting Technique ◽  
Version 2.0

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to chart the development in computer-assisted language learning (CALL), by building a map of existing research work in the field. Based on a corpus of 163 manuscripts, published between January 2009 and September 2010 in four major journals devoted to CALL, it sets out to describe the range of topics covered under the umbrella of CALL and provide a holistic view of the field. Design/methodology/approach – The approach adopted in this research includes: development of the 2009-2010 CALL corpus; literature overview and initial coding scheme development; refinement of the initial coding scheme with the help of a focus group and construction of the CALL map version 1.0; refinement of the CALL map version 1.0 following a systematic approach of content analysis and development of the CALL map version 2.0; evaluation of the proposed structure and inclusiveness of all categories in the CALL map version 2.0 using card sorting technique; and finally development of the CALL map version 3.0. Findings – The research trends in the categories of the CALL map are discussed, as well as possible future directions in the field. Originality/value – This paper provides a holistic view of the field of CALL guiding both junior CALL researchers to place themselves in the field, and policy and decision makers who attempt to evaluate the current and future scholar activity in the field. Finally, it caters for more experienced researchers to focus on certain underinvestigated domains.

scholarly journals Learners’ anxiety in audiographic conferences: a discursive psychology approach to emotion talk

ReCALL ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz de los Arcos ◽  
James A. Coleman ◽  
Regine Hampel
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Discursive Psychology ◽  
Social Construct ◽  
Learner Beliefs ◽  
Negative Feelings

AbstractSuccess and failure in language learning are partly determined by the learners’ ability to regulate their emotions. Negative feelings are more likely to frustrate progress, while positive ones make the task of learning a second language (L2) a more effective experience. To date no significant body of research has been carried out into the role of anxiety in the field of computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The present study adopts discursive psychology (DP) as its methodological approach to examine anxiety not as a psychological state, but as a social construct in the context of an audiographic conferencing tool. After interviewing a sample of learners of Spanish at the Open University (OU), our findings reveal a strong connection between emotion and learner beliefs.

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