Multimedia in Computer-Assisted Language Learning

This paper will investigate the theoretical foundation behind the use of multimedia in language learning and give an overview of guidelines for creating an effective learning environment using multimedia. Examples will be given of how CALL was used for achieving different study goals, i.e. improving different aspects of language knowledge. After defining CALL and multimedia, which are the key concepts in this paper, related cognitive theories will be presented. These cognitive theories provide the basis for multimedia learning, which is the usual type of learning with the aid of a computer. Furthermore, phases of CALL will be presented in order to show how the field developed over time. Since multimedia materials have a crucial role in CALL, guidelines will be given for the successful implementation of multimedia into material for learning languages. The process of learning a language with multimedia will also be explained. Apart from that, the role of animation in CALL will be researched. Features of CALL will be discussed. However, the paper will focus on vocabulary acquisition with the aid of computer. Lastly, the concept of e-learning in relation with language learning will be researched in addition to giving an overview of other uses for computers in language learning

Presents Spoken Texts in Multimedia Instructions as an Alternative to Printed Texts

Multimedia instructions refer to presentations that contain graphics and texts information. The graphics can include pictures, drawings, diagram, chart, animation, video, or simulations. In addition, texts can include printed texts or spoken texts. Multimedia education occurs when learners create mental representations caused by combining texts and relevant graphics simultaneously in lessons. Research evidence shows that not all multimedia instructions are equally useful. How can we use multimedia instructional to help learners to grasp knowledge? Do learners learn better when multimedia instructions present spoken text in multimedia instructions as an alternative to printed text principle? This article examines whether there is any benefit on supplementing spoken text with multimedia. Specifically, do learners learn more from spoken text and graphics, rather than from printed text and graphics? Meaningful learning engages the learner into excessive cognitive load processing during learning; on the other hand, the learner’s cognitive capacity is limited. For that, reasons multimedia instructional designers must take into account the learner's cognitive load processing. One of the obstacles of multimedia instructions is the possibility of overloading the learners’ cognitive capacity. Multimedia instructional designers must design multimedia instruction in ways that minimize the possibility of overloading the learners’ cognitive capacity. Also will examines the limitations of presenting spoken rather than printed texts; Reasons for presenting spoken rather than printed texts; Evidence for Using Spoken Rather Than Printed Text; And when this principle applies

The Effect of Written Text on Comprehension of Spoken English as a Foreign Language: A Replication Study

The use of written text has been acclaimed to enhance L2 listening comprehension, yet some argue that using written text does not effectively prepare learners to listen in real situations. Thus, the study was conducted to explore the effect of written text on learners' perceived difficulty, listening comprehension and learning to listen through replicating the research by Diao, Chandler & Sweller (2007. The effect of written text on comprehension of spoken English as a foreign language. The American Journal of Psychology 237- 261). Participants were 101 low-proficient English learners who were divided into three groups: listening with subtitles, listening with a full script and listening only. Each group first listened to a passage in their respective mode, then all three groups listened to another passage in the listening-only mode. Participants rated their perceived difficulty and completed a free recall task after each listening. Results suggest that the difficulty of written text should be tuned with learners' proficiency level so that they can benefit from the presence of written text in listening

Applying science of learning in education: Infusing psychological science into the curriculum

The field of specialization known as the science of learning is not, in fact, one field. Science of learning is a term that serves as an umbrella for many lines of research, theory, and application. A term with an even wider reach is Learning Sciences (Sawyer, 2006). The present book represents a sliver, albeit a substantial one, of the scholarship on the science of learning and its application in educational settings (Science of Instruction, Mayer 2011). Although much, but not all, of what is presented in this book is focused on learning in college and university settings, teachers of all academic levels may find the recommendations made by chapter authors of service. The overarching theme of this book is on the interplay between the science of learning, the science of instruction, and the science of assessment (Mayer, 2011). The science of learning is a systematic and empirical approach to understanding how people learn. More formally, Mayer (2011) defined the science of learning as the “scientific study of how people learn” (p. 3). The science of instruction (Mayer 2011), informed in part by the science of learning, is also on display throughout the book. Mayer defined the science of instruction as the “scientific study of how to help people learn” (p. 3). Finally, the assessment of student learning (e.g., learning, remembering, transferring knowledge) during and after instruction helps us determine the effectiveness of our instructional methods. Mayer defined the science of assessment as the “scientific study of how to determine what people know” (p.3). Most of the research and applications presented in this book are completed within a science of learning framework. Researchers first conducted research to understand how people learn in certain controlled contexts (i.e., in the laboratory) and then they, or others, began to consider how these understandings could be applied in educational settings. Work on the cognitive load theory of learning, which is discussed in depth in several chapters of this book (e.g., Chew; Lee and Kalyuga; Mayer; Renkl), provides an excellent example that documents how science of learning has led to valuable work on the science of instruction. Most of the work described in this book is based on theory and research in cognitive psychology. We might have selected other topics (and, thus, other authors) that have their research base in behavior analysis, computational modeling and computer science, neuroscience, etc. We made the selections we did because the work of our authors ties together nicely and seemed to us to have direct applicability in academic settings

Exploration of concise redundancy in online multimedia learning

With the rapid growth of multimedia in education, the importance of investigating the effect of redundancy, repeating instructional messages to enhance conceptualization in instructional material design, is becoming more important. Various studies have been conducted recently regarding the effects of different forms of redundancy. A multimedia lesson presenting concurrent on-screen text, still graphics or animations, and narration is a typical setting in redundancy research. Concise redundancy is the revision of the on-screen text into a concise form which is presented to the learners concurrently with visualizations and narration. The purpose of this study was to investigate, while controlling for spatial ability, the effects of concise redundancy on students\u27 retention and confidence when learning with highly complex multimedia materials. In addition, the effects of animation or still graphics along with text redundancy were examined. No significant differences were found between the graphic presentations (animation or series of stills) and text redundancy groups (full, concise, or none) on retention or levels of confidence. When examining the results taking into account high and low spatial abilities, no significant differences were found in terms of different graphic presentation (animation or series of stills) and different text redundancy groups (full, concise, or none). However, in one condition, low spatial ability learners exhibited significantly higher levels of confidence than high spatial ability learners when learning with narrated static graphics and concise redundancy. The current study should provide further guidance for researchers who are interested in examining narrated multimedia lessons containing concise redundancy when comparing static graphics to animated graphics

Interactive Videos As A Vocabulary Pre-Teaching Tool In Middle School Science

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of interactive video instruction to teacher-led direct instruction for pre-teaching science vocabulary to newcomer middle school ELs. The second phase of the experiment utilized interactive videos to pre-teach science vocabulary in a flipped learning environment. This study was influenced by vocabulary experts Beck, McKeown, and Kucan, as well as R. E. Mayer, multimedia learning expert. Data collection included pre-tests and post-tests of expressive and receptive vocabulary knowledge, as well as a student survey to determine ease of use, students’ perceived learning and satisfaction with the type of instruction. Results from the study showed that expressive vocabulary gains outpaced receptive vocabulary gains and that strong first language skills were more closely linked to vocabulary gains than strong second language skills. From the study, it may be concluded that interactive videos are not as effective as teacher-led vocabulary pre-teaching and that interactive videos used for flipped learning are equally as effective as interactive videos used within regular classroom instruction

Auditory support in linguistically diverse classrooms : factors related to bilingual text-to-speech use

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The Effect of De-Contextualized Multimedia Software on Taiwanese College Level Students\u27 English Vocabulary Development

Computer technology has been applied widely as an educational tool in second language learning for a long time. There have been many studies discussing the application of computer technology to different aspects in second language learning. However, the learning effect of both de-contextualized multimedia software and sound gloss on second language students had been rarely explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of computer-assisted language learning (call) on de-contextualized multimedia software vocabulary learning and retention for college level students in Taiwan. One-hundred-fifty-five participants completed this experiment. The control group class was taught in a regular classroom. The experimental groups were taught in a computer laboratory. The goal of this instruction was to learn 300 English words. There were three tests for all three groups: pre-test, post-test 1, and post-test 2. The researcher administered a 40-question multiple choice test based upon the 300 words. The second post-test took place one week following the first post-test. Upon analyzing the data, recommendations were developed. The results of the study indicated that the multimedia software group had better learning and retention results than traditional classroom teaching. The de-contextualized multimedia vocabulary-learning software program had better learning and retention result than traditional classroom teaching. Furthermore, these results affirmed that the sound gloss can help for the Taiwanese college level students\u27 vocabulary learning and retention results