Evaluating the Integration of Technology and Second Language Learning

Authors

  • Bonnie Adair-Hauck
  • Laurel Willingham-McLain
  • Bonnie Earnest Youngs

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v17i2.269-306

Keywords:

Technology-Enhanced Language Learning, Multimedia Curriculum, Integration of Technology, Program Evaluation, College-Level French Teaching, Computer-Assisted Language Learning, Computer-Mediated Writing

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a program evaluation project that assessed the integration of technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) into a second semester, college-level French course. Thirty-three French II students participated in this study. Students in the treatment group met with the instructor three days per week and, for the fourth class, they participated in TELL activities. The control group met with the instructor four times per week. Both groups had the same instructor, textbook, and ancillary materials. The article reports on student performance in French for listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and on their cultural knowledge. Findings indicate that the students in the treatment group performed equally well as the control group in listening and speaking and better on reading and writing achievement measures. The study also includes findings regarding student motivation, anxiety, and perceptions on meeting the language learning goals students set for themselves. The results may be interpreted that it is both feasible and desirable to integrate, in principled ways, TELL activities into the language learning curriculum.

References

Alderson, J. C., & Scott, M. (1992). Insiders, outsiders and participatory evaluation. In J. C. Alderson (Ed.), Evaluating second language education (pp. 25-58). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Armstrong, K. M., & Yetter-Vassot, C. (1994). Transforming teaching through technology. Foreign Language Annals, 27, 475-486.

Barnett, M. A. (1989). Writing as a process. French Review, 63 (1), 34-44.

Beauvois, M. H. (1992). Computer-assisted classroom instruction in the foreign language classroom: Conversation in slow motion. Foreign Language Annals, 25, 455-463.

Beretta, A. (1986). A case for field-experimentation in program evaluation. Language Learning, 36, 295-309.

Bernhardt, S. A., Edwards, P., & Wojahn, P. (1989). Teaching college composition with computers. Written Communication, 6 (1), 108-133.

Braegger, J. D., & Rice, D. B. (1996). Allons-y: Le Français par étapes (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Heinle & Heinle.

Brandl, K. (1995). Strong and weak student preferences for error feedback options and responses. The Modern Language Journal, 79, 194-211.

Brown, J. D. (1989). Language program evaluation: A synthesis of existing possibilities. In R. K. Johnson (Ed.), The second language curriculum (pp. 222-241). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Brown, J. D. (1995). Language program evaluation: Decision, problems and solution. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 15, 227-248.

Bump, J. (1990). Radical changes in class discussion using networked computers. Computers and the Humanities, 24, 49-65.

Chun, D. M. (1994). Using computer networking to facilitate the acquisition of interactive competence. System, 22, 17-31.

Cononelos, T., & Olivia, M. (1993). Using computer networks to enhance foreign language/culture education. Foreign Language Annals, 26, 527-534.

Conrad, B. K. (1996). CALL: non-English L2 instruction. Annual Review of Applied

Linguistics, 16, 158-181.

Costanzo, W. (1994). Reading, writing and thinking in an age of electronic literacy. In C. L. Selfe & H. Susan (Eds.), Literacy and computers (pp. 54-73). New York: The Modern Language Association of America.

Cummins, J. (1991). Introductory remarks. In R. DeVillar & C. Faltis (Eds.), Computers and cultural diversity: Restructuring for school success (pp. viiix). Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

Daiute, C. (1984). Can the computer stimulate writer’s inner dialogues? In W. Wrench (Ed.), The computer in composition instruction. Urbana, IL: NTCE.

DeVillar, R., & Faltis, C. (1991). Computers and cultural diversity: Restructuring for school success. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

DiMatteo, A. (1990). Under erasure: A theory of interactive writing in real life. Computer and Composition, 7, 71-89.

Donato, R., Antonek, J., & Tucker, G. R. (1996). Monitoring and assessing a Japanese FLES program: Ambiance and achievement. Language Learning, 46 (3), 497-528.

Garrett, N. (1991). Technology in the service of language learning: Trends and issues. The Modern Language Journal, 75 (1), 74-101.

Glisan, E. (1981). ESL Composition profile. In H. L. Jacobs, S. Zingraf, D. Wormuth, V. Hartfield, & J. Hughey (Eds.), Testing ESL composition: A practical approach (pp. 323-324). Rowley, MA: Newbury House.

Greenia, G. D. (1992). Computers and teaching composition in a foreign language. Foreign Language Annals, 25, 33-47.

Hass, C. (1989). How the writing medium shapes the writing process: Effects of word processing on planning. Research in the Teaching of English, 23, 181-207.

Hawisher, G. E. (1989). Research and recommendations for computers and composition. In G. E. Hawser, & C. L. Selfe (Eds.), Critical perspectives on computers and composition instruction (pp. 44-69). New York: Teachers College Press.

Herron, C., & Moos, M. (1993). Electronics media in the foreign language and literature classroom: A fusion between science and the humanities. Foreign Language Annals, 26 (4), 478-490.

Horwitz, E. K., & Young, D. J. (1991). Language anxiety: From theory and research to classroom implications. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Johnson, D. M. (1985). Using computers to promote the development of English as a second language: A report to the Carnegie Corporation. Tuscon: University of Arizona. (EDRS:ED 278 211).

Johnson, D. M. (1991). Second language and content learning with computers: Research in the role of social factors. In P. Dunkel (Ed.), Computer-assisted language learning and testing: Research issues and practice (pp. 61-83). New York, NY: Newbury House.

Johnson, D. M. (1992). Approaches in second language learning. White Plains, NY: Longman Publishing Company.

Kelm, O. R. (1992). The use of synchronous computer networks in second language instruction: A preliminary report. Foreign Language Annals, 25 (5), 441—454.

Lafford, P. A., & Lafford, B. A. (1997). Learning language and culture with internet technologies. In M. D. Bush, & R. M. Terry (Eds.), Technology-enhanced language learning (pp. 215-262). Illinois: National Textbook Company.

Liu, M., & Reed, W. M. (1994). The relationship between learning strategies and learning styles in a hypermedia environment. Computers in Human Behavior, 10 (4), 419-434.

Long, M. H. (1984). Process and product in ESL program evaluation. TESOL Quarterly, 18, 409-425.

Lynch, B. (1990). A context-adaptive model of program evaluation. TESOL Quarterly, 24, 23-42.

Meunier, L. E. (1994). Computer-assisted language instruction and cooperative learning. Applied Language Learning, 5 (2), 31-56.

Musumeci, D. (1998). Mallard, a web-based application in use at the University of Illinois (technology demonstration). Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh.

Mydlarski, D. (1987). Cooperative computer-assisted language learning: Is it living up to its promise? Journal of Educational Techniques and Technologies, 20 (1), 26-29.

Nagata, N. (1993). Intelligent computer feedback for second language instruction. The Modern Language Journal, 77, 330-339.

Nagata, N., & Swisher, V. M. (1995). A study of consciousness-raising by computer: The effect of metalinguistic feedback on second language learning. Foreign Language Annals, 28, 337-347.

Neu, J., & Scarcella, R. (1991). Word processing in the ESL writing classroom. In P. Dunkel (Ed.), Computer-assisted language learning and testing: Research issues and practices (pp. 169-187) New York: Newbury House.

Nieves, K. A. (1994). The development of a technology-based class in beginning level Spanish: Experiences with Exito. (Doctoral dissertation, George Mason University).

Phinney, M. (1988). Computers, composition and second language teaching. In M. C. Pennington (Ed.), Teaching languages with computers: The state of the art. La Jolla, CA: Althesan.

Phinney, M. (1991). Computer-assisted writing and writing apprehension in ESL students. In P. Dunkel (Ed.), Computer-assisted language learning and testing: Research issues and practices (pp. 189-204). New York: Newbury House.

Piper, A. (1986). Conversation and the computer: A study of the conversational spinoff generated among learners of English as a foreign language working in groups. System, 14, 187-198.

Pitiyanuwat, S. (1986). On-the-job behavior of trainees as a function of their reaction to the training program and learning achievement. In A. Wangsotorn, A. Maurice, K. Prapphal, & B. Kenny (Eds.), Trends in language program evaluation (pp. 142-154). Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University.

Pusack, J. P., & Otto, S. (1997). Taking control of multimedia. In M. D. Bush & R. M. Terry (Eds.), Technology-enhanced language learning (pp.1-46). Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Company.

Raschio, R. (1990). The role of cognitive style in improving computer-assisted language learning. Hispania, 73 (2), 535-541.

Reid, J. M. (1987). The learning style preferences of ESL students. TESOL Quarterly, 21, 87-111.

Robinson, G. L. (1989). The CLCCS CALL study: Methods, error feedback, attitudes, and achievement. In W. F. Smith (Ed.), Modern technology in foreign language education: Application and projects (pp. 119-134). Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Company.

Robinson, G. L. (1991). Effective feedback strategies in CALL: Learning theory and empirical research. In P. Dunkel (Ed.), Computer-assisted language learning and testing: Research issues and practice (pp. 155-167). New York: Newbury House.

Roblyer, M., Castine, W., & King, F. (1988). Assessing the impact of computerbased instruction. New York: Haworth Press.

Rodrigues, D. (1985). Computers and basic writers. College Composition and Communication, 36 (3), 336-339.

Ross, S. (1992). Program-defining evaluation in a decade of eclecticism. In J. C. Alderson & A. Beretta (Eds.), Evaluation in second language education (pp. 167-195). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Snow, M. A., & Brinton, D. M. (1988). Content-based instruction: Investigating the effectiveness of the adjunct model. TESOL Quarterly, 22, 553—574.

Stenson, N., Downing, B., Smith, J., & Smith, K. (1992). The effectiveness of computer-assisted pronunciation training. CALICO Journal, 9 (4), 5-18.

Svenconis, D. J., & Kerst, S. (1995). Investigating the teaching of second language vocabulary through semantic mapping in a hypertext environment. CALICO Journal, 12 (2/3), 33-57.

Tharp, R., & Gallimore, R. (1988). Rousing minds to life: Teaching, learning, and schooling in social context. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Thiesmeyer, J. (1989). Should we do what we can? In G. E. Hawser, & C. L. Selfe (Eds.), Critical perspectives on computers and composition instruction. New York: Teachers College Press.

Tremblay, P. F., & Gardner, R. C. (1995). Expanding the motivation construct in language learning. The Modern Language Journal, 79 (6), 505-520.

Youngs, B. E., & Jones, C. M. (1996). CMU French Reader [Computer software]. Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie Mellon University.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Wertsch, J. (1979). From social interaction to higher psychological processes: A clarification and application of Vygotsky’s theory. Human Development, 22, 3-22.

Wiggins, G. (1997). Educative assessment: Designing assessments to inform and improve student performance. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Downloads

Published

2013-01-14

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Adair-Hauck, B., Willingham-McLain, L., & Earnest Youngs, B. (2013). Evaluating the Integration of Technology and Second Language Learning. CALICO Journal, 17(2), 269-306. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v17i2.269-306