Qualitative Case Study on Cell Phone Appropriation for Language Learning Purposes in a Dominican Context

This research study investigated how a Dominican English language teacher and her students appropriated cell phone features for educational purposes inside and outside the classroom. The dissertation used a qualitative approach that focused on the teacher, and four students selected from a class of 23. Data collection took place for 8 weeks in an English language center located at a public university in the Dominican Republic in the summer of 2014. I collected data through interviews, conversations, classroom observations, and questionnaires. Data were analyzed to identify emerging themes that described how the teacher and students used their cell phones for different educational activities related to English language learning. Findings identified four major themes on how the teacher used different cell phone features for educational purposes: cell phone as connectivity tool, content delivery tool, research and reference tool, and assessment facilitation tool. Findings from the four student subcases indicated that they appropriated features in their cell phones in different ways, including: iPod as a cell phone (student 1), assessment and feedback facilitation tool (student 2), peer- and self-assessment facilitation tool and e-reader (student 3), and multimedia delivery and social interactivity tool (student 4). Themes across subcases and from the classroom in general indicated that participants used features that allowed them to use their cell phones as tools for data gathering and note taking, reference and research, collaboration, and repository. Findings from this dissertation shed light on how a teacher and students can make use of their own mobile technologies to support English language learning in a Dominican classroom with uneven access to technology

Approach to the phenomenon of m-learning in English teaching

This research analyzes the situation of mobile devices and some options of support for the teaching of the English language. The features of this phenomenon are addressed with an exploratory descriptive methodology about the complex and novel phenomenon of m-learning. The article is part of a more extensive research which deals with these resources in education, describes the fast evolution and current situation of the variables that configure the m-learning phenomenon and the teaching of a foreign language in primary education in Spain. It also discusses several specific applications for the learning of English, minding their educational dimensions. The aim has been to show the situation of this technique and some options in education, taking advantage of their level of implementation, its communicative power and visibility of their strategies. The results highlight the attraction of these resources, which also arise with gradual, playful, friendly and manageable activities in tactile form. They are instruments that rely on the audiovisual communication to develop reading and listening abilities of students. The teacher can gather these guidelines to enrich and complete his academic activity, exploring solutions that sometimes used mobile devices to attract their users

A Case Study of English as Foreign Language Chinese Teachers\u27 Use of Computer-Based Technology

The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of four Chinese university teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) on the effectiveness of implementing computer-based technologies in their classes. Specifically, this case study sought to document the participants’ views on 1) the types of computer-based technology used in their classes; 2) the role of computer-based educational technology in teaching EFL pedagogy; 3) the potential benefits in using computer-based instructional technologies in EFL; 4) the challenges and/or barriers to the effective use of computer-based instructional technologies in EFL instruction. Using both within case and cross-case analyses, the findings reveal a complex interwoven set of perceptions and experiences computer-based technologies and English language teaching. Seven important themes emerged: 1) the school strongly encourages the use of auxiliary educational platforms; 2) the school supports teachers with many resources; 3) computer-based technologies have impacted student learning; 4) computer-based technologies have impacted the way teachers instruct; 5) computer-based technology enhance teaching effectiveness and efficiency; 6) technical difficulties associated with computer-based technologies are challenging; and 7) the COVID-19 pandemic forced more rapid adoption of computer-based technologies. This research is especially significant as it includes a unique set of educators in a unique educational setting, implementing emerging educational technologies

The Impact of Digital Tools on Student Writing and How Writing is Taught in Schools

In a survey of Advanced Placement and National Writing Project teachers, a majority say digital tools encourage students to be more invested in their writing by encouraging personal expression and providing a wider audience for their work. Most also say digital tools make teaching writing easier, despite an increasingly ambiguous line between formal and informal writing and students' poor understanding of issues such as plagiarism and fair use

TechNews digests: Jan - Nov 2009

TechNews is a technology, news and analysis service aimed at anyone in the education sector keen to stay informed about technology developments, trends and issues. TechNews focuses on emerging technologies and other technology news. TechNews service : digests september 2004 till May 2010 Analysis pieces and News combined publish every 2 to 3 month

Virtual Assessment in English Language Teaching during COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Considerations in Bangladesh Perspectives

Background: This study examines the methods of assessing the learners of English Language Teaching (ELT) learners virtually, obstacles both the teachers and students face in virtual assessment, the kind of renovations both teachers and learners have to accommodate for effective virtual assessment, and the imperative suggestions they have in terms of more fruitful and plausible assessment during COVID-19-like pandemics in the context of Bangladesh. Methodology: 10 teachers and 21 students from 5 renowned private universities in Bangladesh participated in the study. And it applied a mixed-method approach consisting of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Findings: The findings of the study revealed that all the teachers and students go through virtual assessment during the COVID-19 lockdown; the majority of them use Zoom Meeting App and Google Classroom for both summative and formative assessments in the form of mostly virtual viva voce, online assignment, and presentation; virtual assessment is time and money-saving, and has scheduled benefits; its disadvantages include, mainly, unstable internet connection across the country; and most suggest for both teachers’ and students’ training in dealing with technological devices and apps used for virtual assessment. Conclusion: The major results of the research suggest that virtual assessment in ELT in the Bangladeshi context requires substantial technological modifications and renovations. Originality: Since online assessment in ELT, like other academic disciplines, is in function in Bangladesh, better decisions on assessment methodology and, logically, more appropriate assessment policies can be formed. Conforming to this purpose, this research aims to unearth the existing challenges both teachers and learners encounter in virtual assessment and modifications recommended by them

Developing Computer–Based Instructional Media for English Speaking Skill at Senior High School

This research aimed at developing computer-based instructional media using Adobe Flash for the tenth graders'English speaking skill material. The studyemployed research and development method. The results showed (1) the product is a computer-based instructional media in a combined format of tutorial and drilling facilitating semiinteractive learning consisting of thanking, complimenting, congratulating, surprise and disbelief materials; (2) the expert validation showed that the product quality in terms of media is categorized very good (4.51) and in terms of the material and instructionalare categorized good (3.91). The results of the field trials showed that the quality of the product in terms of material, media, and instructional is categorized very good (4.32). In conclusion, the developed media is eligible to be implemented in speaking learning activities. Keywords: computer-based instructional media; Adobe Flash; speaking skil