Developing Interactive Materials for a Network-based Self-access Language Learning

Environment

By Rita M. Niemann

Beginnings of Self-access

The first Self-access Centres or Resource Centres are developed in the late 1960s/early 1970s.

They are library-like collections of audio and

video materials.

Motivations for Self-access

End of the behaviourism-based audio-lingual approach

Introduction of learner-centered communicative approach

Shortcomings of Self-access work

Littlewood points to the lack of a clear pedagogical framework in establishing self-access facilities.

Unlike with the first language laboratories, setting up self-access was NOT theory driven but has to be seen in the educational concept of ‘autonomy’ (1997: 81).

Self-access Work

Pre-communicative work

Communicative practice

Structured communication

Authentic communication

1

Focus on forms

2

Focus on meanings

3 4

Figure 1: Littlewood 1997

Shortcomings of Self-access

„The most problematic area is on the right hand side of the continuum in the domain of productive skills, where the learner requires the kind of message based feedback that the human respondent normally provides.” (Littlewood 1997: 88)

Interactive Network-based Self-access

Why do we want IT? What can IT do?

Objectives

Supplement and enhance curriculum of German language modules by providing IT-based learning resources

Promote autonomous and individualised learning

Motivate learners to discover and exploit the potential of the Internet and electronic means of communication for their learning

Methodological Principles

Learner-centrednessTask-based learningProcess orientation

Pre-communicative work

Communicative practice

Structured communication

Structured Communication

Self-access Work

Pre-communicative work

Communicative practice

Structured communication

Authentic communication

1

Focus on forms

2

Focus on meanings

3 4

Figure 1: Littlewood 1997

Discussion Forum

Chat Room

Movie2Studio

Online coursework component

Online Learner Reflection

- Attached to only a few exercises

- Completed Reflections are saved as data on server

- All reflections are accessible to all learners in the class

Quotes from reflections: Comments

Student 1:

Example:

Quotes from reflections: About Help

Student 1:

Example:

Quotes from reflections: What did you learn?

Student 1:

Example:

Quotes from reflections: Comments

Student 2:

Example:

Quotes from reflections: About Help

Student 2:

Example:

Quotes from reflections: What did you learn?

Student 2:

Example:

Tentative Results from Survey

Part B: Use of Technology in Learning

ONLY

– 12 (17.1%) have prior experience in taking an online course

– 6 (8.6%) have prior experience with network-based language learning

– 16 (22.9%) have prior experience with language learning CD ROMs

Tentative Results from Survey

Part C: Evaluation of the Online Coursework– C3: Variety of help functions

Completely satisfactory 9 12.7% Very satisfactory 23 32.4% Satisfactory 26 36.6% Not very satisfactory 10 14% Not satisfactory 2 2.8% No experience/idea 1 1.4%

Tentative Results from Survey

Part C: Evaluation of the Online Coursework– C4: Availability of help functions

Completely satisfactory 7 9.9% Very satisfactory 20 28.2% Satisfactory 30 42.3% Not very satisfactory 11 15.5% Not satisfactory 2 2.8% No experience/idea 1 1.4%

Tentative Results from Survey

Part C: Evaluation of the Online Coursework– C7: Reflection form

Completely satisfactory 2 2.8% Very satisfactory 8 11.3% Satisfactory 32 45% Not very satisfactory 17 23.9% Not satisfactory 7 9.9% No experience/idea 5 7%

Part D: Overall Evaluation of learning while engaged in Learning activities…– in doing online coursework

Completely satisfactory 9 12.7% Very satisfactory 18 25.4% Satisfactory 33 46.5% Not very satisfactory 7 9.9% Not satisfactory 4 5.6% No experience/idea 0 0%

Outlook

We are just in the beginning stages of network-based self-access language learning.

Future ICT developments will enable higher degree of interactive language learning possibilities in all skill areas.

Current and Future Developments

Speech Recognition Audio Conferenceing Video Conferencing Text to speech Speech to text