The use of ICT in the assessment of modern languages: the English context and European viewpoints

The ever increasing explosion of highly attractive multimedia resources on offer has boosted the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the teaching and learning of modern languages. The use of ICT to assess languages is less frequent, however, although online testing is starting to develop. This paper examines the national context for the assessment of modern foreign language proficiency in England, outlines the kinds of assessment currently available and the development of electronic forms of assessment and compares the above with the survey results of a European Union (EU) funded project on current good practice in online assessment of languages in other European countries. The findings indicate that speaking is inadequately served by online testing as tests currently focus primarily on receptive language skills. The implications for future successful online testing include the incorporation of interactive skills and effective formative feedback

CHORUS Deliverable 2.1: State of the Art on Multimedia Search Engines

Based on the information provided by European projects and national initiatives related to multimedia search as well as domains experts that participated in the CHORUS Think-thanks and workshops, this document reports on the state of the art related to multimedia content search from, a technical, and socio-economic perspective. The technical perspective includes an up to date view on content based indexing and retrieval technologies, multimedia search in the context of mobile devices and peer-to-peer networks, and an overview of current evaluation and benchmark inititiatives to measure the performance of multimedia search engines. From a socio-economic perspective we inventorize the impact and legal consequences of these technical advances and point out future directions of research

Developing A Digital Learning Game as a Medium for Cultural Enrichment on Descriptive Text

This study is aimed to develop a digital learning game as a medium to enrich students’ insight about their local culture embedded in descriptive text material. Adapting “system approach” model designed by Dick and Carey, this study employed need analysis, material development and formative evaluation as steps to develop the product. The need analysis was conducted by analyzing the documents, administering questionnaires to the students and interviewing the teachers. The material development was done by designing blueprint of the product’s content, pictures and sound in the computer applications. The formative evaluation consisted of the theoretical validation and empirical validation. The result of the theoretical validation was classified into four categorizes involving multimedia, language content, cultural and pedagogical aspect. The multimedia validator graded the most criteria of the game’s design and layout in a very good scale. The language content validator graded the most criteria of the learning game’s content in balance between “very good” and “good” scale. The cultural aspect had been validated by the natives of mentioned places, consisting of a native of Java, Bali and Flores. Lastly, the pedagogical aspect was validated by two teachers who taught seventh grade and eighth grade at SMPN 26 Surabaya. Both teachers graded the digital learning game in a “very good” scale. Those final scales obtained after some revisions from validators had been finished. The result of empirical validation was obtained from the tryout of the product to fifteen students of SMPN 26 Surabaya. The result of the empirical validation showed that the students have positive responds to the developed learning game. It was concluded from the most scales given by the students including “very good” and “good” scale for the mentioned criteria. In conclusion, the digital learning game has met its final product to be used by the students to learn culture for descriptive text material

ESP For Ecotourism: Discourse Skills,Technology,And Collaboration For Job Contexts

This capstone’s primary aim was to design a companion instructional guide for teachers of English for Specific Purposes for ecotourism professionals in Mexico. It identified gaps left by traditional EFL courses that tend to lack strong connections between language instruction and real-world job requirements for English usage. It looked at curricular reform efforts in other world regions with the intention to innovate ESP instruction in Mexico. Findings include recommendations for student-centered curricula that incorporate multimodal learning activities and authentic contexts for tourism jobs. Multiliteracies pedagogy drove the creation of the instructional guide’s components, which provide support in conducting small-group projects to develop interactive discourse, online research, and digital design skills within communities of practice. The guide includes resources, materials, and instructions to conduct needs analysis, foster mutual support, build collaboration among stakeholders, facilitate situated practice with applied technology, and increase knowledge for cross-cultural communication

A Critical Review of Contemporary Practice in Internationalisation in the Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism (HLST) Subject Communities

This report identifies and critically reviews contemporary practice in the field of internationalisation within the HLST subject communities in order to inform curriculum development and pedagogy geared towards the development of international perspectives and global awareness. Drawing on current pedagogical literatures as well as staff and student consultations, it identifies a number of key points which reflect good practice in UK HLST curricula in the UK. Due to the broad disciplinary scope of the subject area in focus and the diversity of curricular activities across the UK, this critical review is selective rather than exhaustive and seeks to stimulate further discussion and research into this area