ICT and Language learning

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ICT and Language learning

• Can an e-learning environment promote learner
  autonomy?
• Samuel C Lefever
• Assistant Professor
• Iceland University of Education

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(No Transcript)
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Overview

• Distance-learning at the university level
• ICT use in a language teaching program
• An e-learning environment based on
• Communication
• Cooperative learning
• Autonomous learning

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Iceland University of Education

• A leader of distance education in the country
• 1990s - ICT use steadily increased
• E-mail, WWWeb, Internet, e-learning tools
• 2001 online distance learning at all levels of
  instruction

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IUE Language teaching program

• Objectives that students gain
• an understanding of the nature, structure and use
  of the English language
• knowledge about language teaching theory and
  language learning and their practical
  applications
• proficiency in English language skills sufficient
  for teaching at the primary school level
• insight into the daily life, culture, and
  literature of English language countries

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Learning environment
COMMUNICATION
AUTONOMOUS LEARNING
COOPERATIVE LEARNING
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Communication

• Campus sessions
• Course website
• E-mail and web conferencing
• Telephone conferencing

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Course website

• Course description and objectives
• Course plan
• Reading materials
• Study guidelines
• Hyperlinks
• http//enska.khi.is/menning1_h03/

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Web conferencing

• WebBoard
• FrontPage Sharepoint
• WebCT

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Communication technology

• Closed postlists
• E-mail
• Telephone conferencing

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Cooperative learning

• Campus sessions
• Group belongingness
• Web discussions
• Shared assignments
• Reading circles
• Media issues
• Peer feedback and interaction
• http//starfsfolk.khi.is/samuel/disc1_frm.htm

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DISCUSSION CONTENTS A written report about
terrorism Helga 11/5/2001 Educational issues
report. Sigríður H. Aðalsteinsdóttir. 11/4/2001
Ameica on the edge. Ursula Ásgrímsdóttir
11/4/2001 Gun control and crime report Þórey
Einarsdóttir 11/3/2001 Re Gun control and crime
report Sylvía Hilmarsdóttir 12/12/2001 Re Gun
control and crime report Sylvía Hilmarsdóttir
12/12/2001 More about educational issues Sigga
Helga 10/30/2001 Re More about educational
issues Ursula Ásgrímsdóttir 11/4/2001 Re More
about educational issues Þórey Einarsdóttir
11/3/2001 Re More about educational issues
Helga 10/31/2001 More about guns Þórey
Einarsdóttir 10/29/2001 Re More about guns
Ursula Ásgrímsdóttir 11/4/2001 Re More about
guns Helga 10/30/2001 Re More about guns Sigga
Helga 10/29/2001 60 minutes Samuel 10/26/2001
Re 60 minutes Þórey Einarsdóttir 10/30/2001
Re 60 minutes Helga 10/30/2001 Re 60 minutes
Sigríður H. Aðalsteinsdóttir 10/29/2001
    
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Autonomous learning with support

• Reading materials
• Course books and articles
• Web sources and e-journals
• Study guidelines
• Provide direction
• Facilitate discussion and reflection
• Provide time framework
• Language skills practice and self-study
• Listening materials
• Interactive activities

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Student responses
I like to be able to know in advance when to
turn in my work. It was excellent to get the
course schedule ahead of time and also the way
you would be grading us because then I quickly
knew what was expected of me. I liked the web
discussions the communication with the fellow
students and the teacher. I found the way of
giving feedback very useful and clear.
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• It was interesting to do the assignments and
  work in small groups. We were forced to
  communicate. there were a lot of issues in the
  book worth discussion.
• It was good to look for information, e.g. on the
  internet, about British culture.
• The course provided support and promoted learner
  autonomy. encouraged students to do their own
  information searches and work independently.

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Other research

• Iceland University of Education - 2001
• 75 students said that distance learning program
  met their expectations
• 92 students liked using the the internet for
  communication in distance learning
• 65 participated in web discussions once a week
  or more often

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Communication

• Iceland University of Education 2002
• 89 students reported that communication with
  fellow students helped them in distance learning
• 86 students reported that communication with
  teachers helped them in their learning
• 65 felt that web discussions were a beneficial
  part of their studies

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E-learning tools WebCT, WebBoard

• Iceland University of Education 2002
• Students commented on the value of being able to
  read each others work
• The tools provided them with an invaluable
  source of information and basis for discussion

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Learner autonomy and distance learning

• Iceland University of Education 2002
• students commented on
• gaining self-discipline
• taking the initiative
• developing independent work habits
• Upper-secondary school level -2002
• 89 students responded that they were more
  responsible for their own learning in distance
  learning than in conventional classroom

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ICT and distance-learning
COMMUNICATION
COOPERATIVE LEARNING
AUTONOMOUS LEARNING