Coconstructing Learning

The Dynamic Nature of Foreign Language Pedagogy in a CMC Environment

Authors

  • Nelleka Van Deusen-Scholl University of Pennsylvania
  • Christina Frei University of Pennsylvania
  • Edward Dixon University of Pennsylvania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v22i3.657-678

Keywords:

In-class Activities, Out-of-class Activities, Online Activities, Integration of Learning Activities

Abstract

Recent innovations in technology allow foreign language learners and their instructors to interact both inside and beyond the classroom using a variety of communicative tools. As a consequence, the classroom has been transformed into an extended learning environment which has had a profound effect on both student and teacher roles. However, the theoretical and pedagogical issues emerging from these new practices have not yet been thoroughly investigated. In an on-going collaborative research project, we seek to gain greater insights into the benefits of specific computer-mediated communication (CMC) activities and to examine the relationship between in-class, online, and out-of-class learning. In this paper, we propose the concept of spiraled interaction--the dynamic interplay of in-class activities that in part focus on meaning and focus on form and online collaborations that have as their primary goal student-constructed representations of knowledge. Our investigation initiates a general framework that combines technology-mediated pedagogy with different learning objectives at various levels of competency.

Author Biographies

  • Nelleka Van Deusen-Scholl, University of Pennsylvania

    Nelleke Van Deusen-Scholl (Ph.D., University of Florida, Linguistics) is Director of the Penn Language Center and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. She is responsible for administering approximately 40 less commonly taught languages and providing faculty development opportunities for foreign language instructors. Her current research focuses on heritage and foreign language teaching and learning and the role of technology in foreign language instruction.

  • Christina Frei, University of Pennsylvania

    Christina Frei (Ph.D., University of California at Davis, German with Designated Emphasis in Second Language Acquisition) is Director of Language Instruction in German and Supervisor of Teaching Fellows. She specializes in new approaches to the teaching of German and diverse applications of technology in the foreign language classroom. Current projects include the expansion of the Homo-Cyber site, http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/german/215, which features a constructionist learning environment.

  • Edward Dixon, University of Pennsylvania

    Edward Dixon (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, German) is Coordinator for Technology in Foreign Languages and supports technology for instruction in academic departments related to the School of Arts and Sciences computing. He facilitates instruction for faculty in acquiring new technical skills and understanding the pedagogical uses of many university-supported applications, especially those supporting online activities and the development of online electronic materials. He is also a Lecturer in German and is interested in the benefits of computer-mediated communication and distributed learning in language instruction.

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Published

2013-01-14

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 3 (2005)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Van Deusen-Scholl, N., Frei, C., & Dixon, E. (2013). Coconstructing Learning: The Dynamic Nature of Foreign Language Pedagogy in a CMC Environment. CALICO Journal, 22(3), 657-678. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v22i3.657-678