ICT and Language learning –

1. ICT and Language learning – Can an e-learning environment promote learner autonomy? Samuel C Lefever Assistant Professor Iceland University of Education UNTELE 2004

2. UNTELE 2004

3. Overview • Distance-learning at the university level • ICT use in a language teaching program • An e-learning environment based on: • Communication • Cooperative learning • Autonomous learning UNTELE 2004

4. Iceland University of Education • A leader of distance education in the country • 1990s - ICT use steadily increased • E-mail, WWWeb, Internet, e-learning tools • 2001 – online distance learning at all levels of instruction UNTELE 2004

5. IUE – Language teaching program • Objectives – that students gain: • an understanding of the nature, structure and use of the English language • knowledge about language teaching theory and language learning and their practical applications • proficiency in English language skills sufficient for teaching at the primary school level • insight into the daily life, culture, and literature of English language countries UNTELE 2004

6. Learning environment COMMUNICATION AUTONOMOUS LEARNING COOPERATIVE LEARNING UNTELE 2004

7. Communication • Campus sessions • Course website • E-mail and web conferencing • Telephone conferencing UNTELE 2004

8. Course website • Course description and objectives • Course plan • Reading materials • Study guidelines • Hyperlinks http://enska.khi.is/menning1_h03/ UNTELE 2004

9. Web conferencing • WebBoard • FrontPage – Sharepoint • WebCT UNTELE 2004

10. Communication technology • Closed postlists • E-mail • Telephone conferencing UNTELE 2004

11. Cooperative learning • Campus sessions • Group ‘belongingness’ • Web discussions • Shared assignments • Reading circles • Media issues • Peer feedback and interaction http://starfsfolk.khi.is/samuel/disc1_frm.htm UNTELE 2004

12. DISCUSSION CONTENTS A written report about terrorism Helga 11/5/2001 Educational issues report. Sigríður H. Aðalsteinsdóttir. 11/4/2001 Ameica on the edge. Ursula Ásgrímsdóttir 11/4/2001 Gun control and crime report Þórey Einarsdóttir 11/3/2001 Re: Gun control and crime report Sylvía Hilmarsdóttir 12/12/2001 Re: Gun control and crime report Sylvía Hilmarsdóttir 12/12/2001 More about educational issues Sigga Helga 10/30/2001 Re: More about educational issues Ursula Ásgrímsdóttir 11/4/2001 Re: More about educational issues Þórey Einarsdóttir 11/3/2001 Re: More about educational issues Helga 10/31/2001 More about guns Þórey Einarsdóttir 10/29/2001 Re: More about guns Ursula Ásgrímsdóttir 11/4/2001 Re: More about guns Helga 10/30/2001 Re: More about guns Sigga Helga 10/29/2001 60 minutes Samuel 10/26/2001 Re: 60 minutes Þórey Einarsdóttir 10/30/2001 Re: 60 minutes Helga 10/30/2001 Re: 60 minutes Sigríður H. Aðalsteinsdóttir 10/29/2001 UNTELE 2004

13. Autonomous learning – with support • Reading materials • Course books and articles • Web sources and e-journals • Study guidelines • Provide direction • Facilitate discussion and reflection • Provide time framework • Language skills practice and self-study • Listening materials • Interactive activities UNTELE 2004

14. Student responses “I like to be able to know in advance when to turn in my work. It was excellent to get the course schedule ahead of time and also the way you would be grading us because then I quickly knew what was expected of me.” “I liked the web discussions – the communication with the fellow students and the teacher. I found the way of giving feedback very useful and clear.” UNTELE 2004

15. “It was interesting to do the assignments and work in small groups. We were ‘forced’ to communicate. …there were a lot of issues in the book worth discussion.” “It was good to look for information, e.g. on the internet, about British culture.” “The course provided support and promoted learner autonomy. …encouraged students to do their own information searches and work independently.” UNTELE 2004

16. Other research • Iceland University of Education - 2001 • 75% students said that distance learning program met their expectations • 92% students liked using the the internet for communication in distance learning • 65% participated in web discussions once a week or more often UNTELE 2004

17. Communication • Iceland University of Education – 2002 • 89% students reported that communication with fellow students helped them in distance learning • 86% students reported that communication with teachers helped them in their learning • 65% felt that web discussions were a beneficial part of their studies UNTELE 2004

18. E-learning tools – WebCT, WebBoard • Iceland University of Education – 2002 • Students commented on the value of being able to read each other’s work • The tools provided them with an ‘invaluable source of information and basis for discussion’ UNTELE 2004

19. Learner autonomy and distance learning • Iceland University of Education – 2002 • students commented on: • gaining self-discipline • taking the initiative • developing independent work habits • Upper-secondary school level -2002 • 89% students responded that they were more responsible for their own learning in distance learning than in conventional classroom UNTELE 2004

20. ICT and distance-learning COMMUNICATION COOPERATIVE LEARNING AUTONOMOUS LEARNING UNTELE 2004