Synopses & Reviews
In the last decade educational policies across the world have recognised ICT as a key vehicle for shaping foreign language learning at school and university. The focus of this book aims to fill a gap in understanding the role of ICT in foreign language learning.There is an apparent paradox in the fact that while digital technology is endlessly innovating and improving itself as a tool to support teaching and learning, the cognitive process of language learning itself remains perennially the same. However, it is also true that the medium has created new learning opportunities which were not possible before and therefore introduces new elements into the cognitive process of foreign language learning. The book's overall aim of examining foreign language learning primarily from the user's perspective (both teacher and learner) is broken down into 2 underlying questions: How does digital technology support existing foreign language learning needs and processes? What new learning experiences does it entail for the learner?More specifically, this book aims to meet the following objectives: To situate new insights into the value of digital technology for FL learning within the context of evidence from prior research and of educational policy-making; To present and examine key pedagogical uses of digital technology in relation to effective foreign language learning by pupils; To provide an in-depth description of the use of a range of digital media; To combine practical ideas for teaching and learning with critical analysis of evidence; And, to bring together analysis of technology-focused language learning across different sectors (secondary, university, TEFL) and in three national anglophone contexts (England, Australia and USA).
Synopsis
Aims to fill a gap in understanding the role of ICT in foreign language learning by providing a sustained and in-depth qualitative analysis and discussion drawing on empircal evidence.
Synopsis
While digital technology is endlessly innovating and improving itself as a tool to support teaching and learning, the cognitive process of language learning itself remains perennially the same. However, digital technology has created new learning opportunities and introduces new elements into the cognitive process of foreign language learning. <br /><br />The contributors of this well-edited collection examine foreign language learning primarily from a user perspective and explore these underlying questions:<br /><br />How does digital technology support existing foreign language learning needs and processes?<br /><br />What new learning experiences does it entail for the learner? <br /><br />The book situates new insights into the value of digital technology for foreign language learning within the context of evidence from prior research and of educational policy-making and examines key pedagogical uses of digital technology in relation to effective foreign language learning by pupils. It provides an in-depth description of the use of a range of digital media and combines practical ideas for teaching and learning with critical analysis of evidence drawing on an analysis of technology-focused language learning across different sectors and in different anglophone contexts. >
Table of Contents
Notes on contributors \ Series editors' foreword \ Introduction
Michael Evans \ 1. Digital technology and language learning: a review of policy and research evidence \ 2. The potential of the internet as a language-learning tool
Iain Mitchell \ 3. Trainee teachers' perceptions of the use of digital technology in the languages classroom
Linda Fisher \ 4. Digital technology as a tool for active learning in MFL: engaging language learners in and beyond the secondary classroom
Rachel Hawkes \ 5. Engaging pupils in bilingual, cross-curricular online discourse
Michael Evans \ 6. SIDE by side: pioneers, inventors and the tyranny of educational distance
Cal Durrant \ 7. Teacher the student perceptions of e-learning in EFL
Miranda Hamilton \ 8. From textbook to online materials: the changing ecology of foreign-language publishing in the era of ICT
Carl Blyth \ Conclusion: variations on a theme
Michael Evans \ Glossary \ Index