"Language Learning Through Social Networks: Perceptions and Reality"
Lin, C.-H., Warschauer, M., & Blake, R. (2016). Language learning through social networks: Perceptions and reality. Language Learning & Technology, 20(1), 124-147.
Language Learning Social Network Sites (LLSNSs) have attracted millions of users around the world. However, little is known about how people participate in these sites and what they learn from them. This study investigated learners’ attitudes, usage, and progress in a major LLSNS through a survey of 4,174 as well as 20 individual case studies. The study hints at the potential of LLSNSs, given the generally positive regard participants have for the site, but it also shows its limitations, since most learners drop out or show only limited gains. The study suggests that if online education is to play a positive role in the teaching and learning of English and other languages, learners will need support, guidance, and well-structured activities to ensure the kinds of participation and linguistic interaction that can lead to success.
How do online course design features influence student performance?
Jaggars, S. S., & Xu, D. (2016). How do online course design features influence student performance? Computers & Education, 95, 270–284.
A new online design assessment rubric is developed in the study. It finds that quality of interpersonal interaction within a course relates positively and significantly to student grades. Additional analyses based on course observation and interview data suggest that frequent and effective student–instructor interaction creates an online environment that encourages students to commit themselves to the course and perform at a stronger academic level.
如何在课堂上提高学生的积极性与参与感？来自于北欧的 “Kahoot!” 试图解决这个问题。每个学生都可以通过自己的手机登陆Kahoot官网加入老师的“测试游戏”中来，通过抢答、积分、胜负等多种概念创造了一个游戏化的混合式课堂。 而这一游戏也是老师在上课前根据当天的课程环节单独设计出来的，在学生完成了答题之后，老师会获得学生的正确率，易错项、排名等综合数据。
在移动VR设备上用户可使用巧克互动的产品在“真实”的场景下与虚拟人物进行英语口语练习，就像一个带有场景的“英语流利说”。基于PC的VR头显设备上，巧克互动实现了在虚拟场景下的在线直播功能。
This visualization provides a concise overview of technologies that have the potential to disrupt and improve teaching on all levels.Along with a few dozen emerging techs, it identified six key trends that link and contextualize said technologies, including classroom digitization, gamification and disintermediation.
CourseraThis project looks at K-12 education in the US from different lenses. It providesperspectives from different stakeholders on the trends and forces shaping how money is invested, how tools are created and how schools are designing teaching and learning experiences.
Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education
Ken Robinson& Lou Aronica
The book focuses on one of the most critical issues of our time: how to transform the nation’s troubled educational system. The author argues for an end to our outmoded industrial educational system and proposes a highly personalised, organic approach that draws on today’s unprecedented technological and professional resources to engage all students, develop their love of learning, and enable them to face the real challenges of the twenty-first century.
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products
NirEyal& Ryan Hoover
“Hooked” is not about education, but product design. The design concept is typically not considered among educators let alone applied when creating learning environments, yet it’s a critical component in developing learning for online spaces. Up until now online learning has focused on delivery of content, level of engagement of learners, completion rates, etc. There’s been little consideration of usability of learning platforms, of creating and structuring content, or guidance for students that provide intuitive pathways for learning. Design principles—principles that guide product design to create user-friendly, intuitive products can and should be applied to online learning.
2016 International Symposium on CALL: July 22-23, 2016
Qingdao, China
Call for papers
Theme:New Technology and Foreign Language Instruction: Opportunities and Challenge
Fostering Literacy and Learning with Text and Data Mining
May 6, 2016. UC Irvine.
Guest speakers including Drs. Carol Connor, Scott Klemmer, and Danielle S. McNamara will discuss text and data mining for an individualized learning environment, crowdsourcing, peer assessment, and an intelligent tutoring system (Writing-Pal) in various learning environments.Graduate and undergraduate students are invited to participate in a poster session.
