From computer assisted language learning (CALL) to mobile assisted language use

This article begins by critiquing the long-established acronym CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning). We then go on to report on a small-scale study which examines how student non-native speakers of English use a range of digital devices beyond the classroom in both their first (L1) and second (L2) languages. We look also at the extent to which they believe that their L2-based activity helps consciously and/or unconsciously with their language learning, practice, and acquisition. We argue that these data, combined with other recent trends in the field, suggest a need to move from CALL towards a more accurate acronym: mobile assisted language use (MALU). We conclude with a definition of MALU together with a brief discussion of a potential alignment of MALU with the notion of the digital resident and a newly emerging educational theory of connectivism

The Effectiveness of Using Edmodo in Enhancing Students' Outcomes in Advance Writing Course of the Fifth Semester at Fip - Ummu

The increase of interest in the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) into students learning and English Language Teaching (ELT) has become a crucial part of a 21st century education. Virtual Learning Environments as a supplementary tool for motivating and empowering independent learning and innovative teaching is practicing to deliver coursework in higher education. Edmodo, called as the “Facebook for Education”, was used to discuss the findings of students' attitude in writing skill. Data was collected by means of questionnaires, interview, forum discussion, and students' written evaluation. A mixed method of qualitative and quantitative was used to analyze the students' perspective about using this online learning tool and the results attained from the assignment feature. The primary instrument, a researcher at Muhammadiyah University of North Maluku (UMMU), worked with a class of fifth semester undergraduate students (approximately 20) of English department of UMMU to introduce Edmodo as online learning is a part of new curriculum practices. The research investigated the effectiveness of using a CMC tool to improve students' writing skill, especially to explore how the use of Edmodo in language learning might contextualize and integrate language instruction using Internet technology. These include relationships with significant social settings, implementation of Edmodo into the curriculum, affective factors, and mastery of metacognitive skills. The results show that the use of Edmodo is successfully facilitating students' participation in online discussions and task. This also enhanced students' interest and motivation in improving their writing skill.It reflected that a curriculum and learning activities developed on the basis of sociocultural theory and communicative teaching approach could increase interaction and communication through the SCMC syste

Early Developmental Activities and Computing Proficiency

As countries adopt computing education for all pupils from primary school upwards, there are challenging indicators: significant proportions of students who choose to study computing at universities fail the introductory courses, and the evidence for links between formal education outcomes and success in CS is limited. Yet, as we know, some students succeed without prior computing experience. Why is this? <br/><br/> Some argue for an innate ability, some for motivation, some for the discrepancies between the expectations of instructors and students, and some – simply – for how programming is being taught. All agree that becoming proficient in computing is not easy. Our research takes a novel view on the problem and argues that some of that success is influenced by early childhood experiences outside formal education. <br/><br/> In this study, we analyzed over 1300 responses to a multi-institutional and multi-national survey that we developed. The survey captures enjoyment of early developmental activities such as childhood toys, games and pastimes between the ages 0 — 8 as well as later life experiences with computing. We identify unifying features of the computing experiences in later life, and attempt to link these computing experiences to the childhood activities. <br/><br/> The analysis indicates that computing proficiency should be seen from multiple viewpoints, including both skill-level and confidence. It shows that particular early childhood experiences are linked to parts of computing proficiency, namely those related to confidence with problem solving using computing technology. These are essential building blocks for more complex use. We recognize issues in the experimental design that may prevent our data showing a link between early activities and more complex computing skills, and suggest adjustments. Ultimately, it is hoped that this line of research will feed in to early years and primary education, and thereby improve computing education for all

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING EDMODO IN ENHANCING STUDENTS’ OUTCOMES IN ADVANCE WRITING COURSE OF THE FIFTH SEMESTER AT FIP - UMMU

The increase of interest in the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) into students learning and English Language Teaching (ELT) has become a crucial part of a 21st century education. Virtual Learning Environments as a supplementary tool for motivating and empowering independent learning and innovative teaching is practicing to deliver coursework in higher education. Edmodo, called as the “Facebook for Education”, was used to discuss the findings of students’ attitude in writing skill. Data was collected by means of questionnaires, interview, forum discussion, and students’ written evaluation. A mixed method of qualitative and quantitative was used to analyze the students’ perspective about using this online learning tool and the results attained from the assignment feature. The primary instrument, a researcher at Muhammadiyah University of North Maluku (UMMU), worked with a class of fifth semester undergraduate students (approximately 20) of English department of UMMU to introduce Edmodo as online learning is a part of new curriculum practices. The research investigated the effectiveness of using a CMC tool to improve students' writing skill, especially to explore how the use of Edmodo in language learning might contextualize and integrate language instruction using Internet technology. These include relationships with significant social settings, implementation of Edmodo into the curriculum, affective factors, and mastery of metacognitive skills. The results show that the use of Edmodo is successfully facilitating students’ participation in online discussions and task. This also enhanced students’ interest and motivation in improving their writing skill.It reflected that a curriculum and learning activities developed on the basis of sociocultural theory and communicative teaching approach could increase interaction and communication through the SCMC syste

Supporting Effective Online Learning Groups for eLearning Systems

Learning in groups has been advocated to increase learning based on the social constructivist learning theory. ICT has been preferred to bridge the gap between distance learning students for possibilities to enhance the benefits of learning groups. However, although learning groups can bring about meaningful learning, learning groups in online environments are often not working. To solve this problem, this study uses design science approaches to establish methods and factors that support effective online learning groups. Within design science three case studies were used. These case studies were used under three research areas: context of online learning groups, processes to support effective online learning groups and tools to support effective online learning groups. The study adopted mixed methods in the evaluation stage of the adopted design science. Establishing the context of online learning groups laid a foundation for this study. This was done using a survey approach that covered the five regions in Uganda, semi-structured interviews with experienced online learning facilitators and observation of interaction logs of online courses at both the University of Agder and Makerere University. Initially, preliminary findings of effective online learning groups were established. The preliminary findings consist of the need for: study guide, trained online tutors, motivating and sustaining interaction, high levels of cognitive interactions, peer assessment based activities and ICT. From the context of online learning groups, the Methods and Factors for Effective Online Learning Groups (FEOLG) were established. FEOLG include: supporting institutional online learning group policy; supporting institutional online learning group technology; quality of online learning group activity; quality of the online learning group; and quality of online learning group facilitation. The factors were evaluated using online learning courses based on existing Makerere University eLearning Environment (MUELE) and online learning group design. The thesis contributes: methods for creating online learning groups, methods for structuring online learning group activities, methods for facilitating online learning groups, and the establishment of factors for supporting effective online learning groups.publishedVersio

Examining Mobile Technology in Higher Education: Handheld Devices In and Out of the Classroom

This study followed an innovative introduction of mobile technology (i.e., BlackBerry® devices) to a graduate level business program and documented students’ use of the technology from the time students received the devices to the end of their first term of study. Students found the BlackBerry® device easy to use, and were optimistic regarding its potential role as an instructional tool. Students were self-directed in their use of the devices and found ways to use them within and outside of their classroom even when specific uses were not provided by instructors. Students used their devices most frequently for communication purposes outside the classroom through applications such as BlackBerry Messenger. Overall, although supporting a modest positive view toward this initial introduction to mobile technology as a learning tool, classroom instructional use was more limited than student-directed use in and outside the classroom. A comprehensive examination of the instructional pedagogy that best supports the potential of mobile technology as a self-directed learning tool is necessary to address the limitations seen in this implementation

Assisting language learning with new technologies: A case of Spanish degrees facing European educational change process

One of the biggest challenges European countries have lately faced is The Bologna Process which consists of a series of ministerial agreements between European countries designed to ensure comparability in the standards and quality of higher education qualifications. The resulting European Higher Education Area (EHEA) propelled a sudden implementation of a new organizational approach into the Spanish academic system in 2008. This paper traces the evolution of lectures in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) over three semesters in this changing teaching environment in the Health Science and Medicine Faculties of the University of Zaragoza (Spain). The aim of this paper is to assess the value, among students, of the use of social media and virtual tools in a strictly academic context. The implementation of change in instructional design was necessary due to the limitations in the existing teaching practices. Consequently, the teacher’s and students’ experiences over each of the three semesters led to the implementation of Microsoft MSN Messenger, a course blog and a Facebook profile. Data from this contribution to action research suggest that students’ opinions and perceptions of the use of personally oriented technology in the language learning process were positive in my university academic context

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