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Analytics in online and offline language learning environments: the role of learning design to understand student online engagement

Language education has a rich history of research and scholarship focusing on the effectiveness of learning activities and the impact these have on student behaviour and outcomes. One of the basic assumptions in foreign language pedagogy and CALL in particular is that learners want to be able to communicate effectively with native speakers of their chosen language. Combining principles of learning analytics and Big Data with learning design, this study used a student activity based taxonomy adopted by the Open University UK to inform module design. Our learning analytics study highlights the potential affordances for CALL researchers to use the power of learning design and big data to explore and understand the complexities and dynamics of language learning for students and teachers.

Social Media in the Writing Classroom and Beyond

Emerging technologies, especially social media, have transformed the forms and genres of writing. Studies suggest that pedagogically sound use of social media has the potential to increase students' motivation for writing, strengthen their awareness of audience and authorship, and promote writing development. These affordances of social media expand opportunities for second language learners to engage with writing in their daily lives and can enhance students' writing development in classroom environments.

Aula: Education Starts with Conversations

Aula replaces emails and learning management systems with an engaging digital campus that connects students, staff, and educators.

Edwin: Powerful English Learning for Test Prep & Life

Edwin combines advanced AI technology and professional English tutors to tailor every lesson to individual needs, learning style, and pace. To use the tool, a student signs into Facebook Messenger, where they are connected with an AI chatbot that gauges the learner’s English proficiency level and learning goals in order to make a personal learning plan.

Should Professors (a) Use Multiple Choice Tests or (b) Avoid Them At All Costs?

Multiple-choice questions don’t belong in college. They’re often ineffective as a teaching tool, they’re easy for students to cheat, and they can exacerbate test anxiety. Yet more professors seem to be turning to the format these days, as teaching loads and class sizes grow, since multiple-choice quizzes and tests can be easily graded by machines. That’s the case being made by two instructional designers at different colleges who are encouraging professors to try alternative assessment methods.

One Standardized Tests Provider Looks to Gaming and Personalized Learning to Innovate Exams

“We want to be more engaged with the conversation around what needs are not being met by the tests we have,” says Joanna Gorin, vice president of research at ETS. “We are hearing from educators that oftentimes our assessments seem so detached from what is going on in the classroom.” Aligning tests with the ways students learn in the classroom is one of Gorin’s goals. Her research team has been evaluating ways to consider aspects of personalized learning and gaming into their tests, a project she describes as difficult but necessary.

Teacher Education in Computer-Assisted Language Learning: A Sociocultural and Linguistic Perspective (Advances in Digital Language Learning and Teaching)

Even though many pre-service and in-service teacher programs now address information and computer technology, computer- assisted language learning (CALL) teacher education is still reported as inadequate. Why is this? This book elaborates on some of the existing concerns and through deft analysis of longitudinal data begins to piece together a future road map for CALL teacher education.

The Online Teaching Survival Guide: Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips？

Adapting lifelong teaching habits to a new environment takes time, energy, patience, and a willingness to try different teaching strategies using digital tools. This book meets the needs of many online and blended faculty by providing tips for effective pedagogy and practices for technology-enriched environments. It particularly meets the needs of faculty with limited access to support for designing and teaching in technology-enabled, mobile environments.

1. GLoCALL 2018 Conference & 15th ChinaCALL Conference 2018

August 16th- 18th, 2018 Suzhou, China

Jointly sponsored by China Computer-Assisted Language Learning Association (ChinaCALL), Asia-Pacific Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (APACALL) , Pacific Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning (PacCALL), and hosted by School of Online and Continuing Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University and the Language Centre, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, the conference aims to share knowledge, skills, and ideas on the integration of technologies and language learning in the forms of workshops, plenary sessions, paper presentations, symposia and colloquiums.

2. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness

Call for Papers
Educational Research in a New Data Environment

3. Request for Information for Advanced Education Research & Development Programs

Issued by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative