LG678-7-SP: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING

Year: 2012/13
Department: Language and Linguistics
Essex credit: 15
ECTS credit: 7.5
Available to Study Abroad / Exchange Students: No
Co-requisites: LG478-7-AU
Comments: Some knowledge of CALL or LG478.

Module Description

Topics covered in the module include:

* Possibilities and limitations of using computers in the language classroom.

* Design of CALL materials and their pedagogical rationale with reference to grammar and/or skills development (e.g., reading, writing, listening).

* The potential of CALL to foster learner autonomy.

* Hands-on experience in the use of tools such as presentation applications, WYSIWYG editors, basic authoring programmes, and transformative tools (e.g., chat, discussion lists, blogs, wikis, podcasts, virtual worlds such as Second Life) to support second language learning.

* Various topics addressed in current CALL research.

* Identification of possible issues for research relevant to students' own interests and future teaching content.

* Discussion of CALL research design, techniques employed in current research papers, and how those techniques relate to the theoretical and methodological rationale of a particular project.

Student Contribution

Students will be expected to contribute to sessions with questions, comments, and discussion. They will be expected to attend regularly, to read texts in advance of class as required, and to actively engage in the creation and/or evaluation of CALL materials. Participants will be expected to build upon the foundations provided through contact hours by engaging in further, independent work.

Learning outcomes

Having completed the module participants will:

* Be familiar with a range of computer applications for language learning and teaching.

* Be able to consider computer applications as an integral part of language learning, with their specific limitations and potential,

* Be able to relate the concept of learner autonomy to CALL,

* Be aware of the importance of adopting a critical stance when considering CALL research.

Learning & Teaching Methods

One 2-hour lab session per week for 10 weeks combining lecture, seminar, and hands-on-task activities as required. Some seminars will be led by participants who will contribute presentations based on analysis of research studies.

There will be a mix of teacher talk and pair and group tasks, and opportunities for students to create their own CALL materials. There will be a set reading each week, which will serve as preparation or follow-up for the session in question. Class discussion is encouraged, and questions can be asked at any time.

Assessment

100 per cent Coursework Mark

Other details:
1 X 3000 word assignment based on a CALL project (80%) Deadline: 22nd April 2013 and a 15' presentation of a research article (20%). Dates to be negotiated with students. I will provide some possible topics for the assignment, but students can alternatively choose a topic based on their own interests as long as it is related to their term project and is approved by me.

Exam Duration and Period

Other information

This module is aimed at students who have some knowledge of CALL or have attended the introductory CALL module in the autumn term. The module further explores computer applications for language learning and teaching both in terms of pedagogical implementation and also in relation to current research. The module explores:

The module explores:

a) Pedagogical approaches to CALL, providing a forum to explore CALL as a pedagogical tool. The module will provide opportunities for hands-on experience in the design and creation of CALL tasks in a supportive environment. Particular attention will be given to emerging technologies and transformative tools such as those derived from Web 2.0: Chat, discussion lists, Weblogs ('blogs'), wikis, podcasts, and virtual worlds, e.g., Second Life, but this will depend on the participants' interests and motivation;

b) Technology-based approaches to learner autonomy. The module will provide a foundation for participants to discuss and explore the potential of CALL to foster learner autonomy; and

c) Approaches to CALL research and data analysis, which will provide a forum for reflection and discussion of CALL as an object of inquiry.

Bibliography

• There is no single set textbook, a week-by-week list of readings (current research articles) will be provided at the beginning of term. Students who wish to prepare for the module are advised to look at some or all of the following:
• Boswood, T. (ed.) (1997) New ways of using computers in language teaching. Alexandria, VA: TESOL.
• Chambers, A. and Davies, G. (eds.) (2001) ICT and Language Learning: a European Perspective. Swets & Zeitlinger.
• Chapelle, C. A. (2003) English Language and Learning Technology: Lectures on Applied Linguistics in the Age of Information and Communication Technology (Language Learning & Language Teaching). John Benjamins Publishing Company.
• Chapelle, C. A. (2001) Computer applications in second language Acquisition: Foundations for teaching, testing and research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Egbert, J. (2005) CALL Essentials: Principles and Practice in CALL Classrooms. Alexandria, Virginia: TESOL.
• Felix, U. (ed.) (2003) Language Learning Online: Towards Best Practice. Routledge.
• Fotos, S. & Browne, C. M. (2004) New Perspectives on CALL for Second Language Classrooms. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum.
• Jonassen, D. H. (ed.) (2nd ed) (2004) Handbook of research for educational communications and technology. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Thomas, M. (Ed.) (2009) Handbook of Research on Web 2.0 and Second Language Learning. Hershey: Information Science Reference.
• Warschauer, M. & Kern, R. (eds.) (2000) Network-based language teaching: Concepts and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.