Language Learner Behaviour in a Virtual Environment
In this case study, Roed investigated what the advantages of practicing L2 in a virtual environment and how different between classroom and online communication manners of students.
Advantages:
For students--
Fewer inhibitions
l no worries about accents or grammatical mistakes
l no worries about immediate negative reactions, e.g. giggles or raised eyebrows
l more time for understanding and responding
For teachers--
Increased participation
l introvert students are more confident to start a conversation
l extrovert students can’t totally dominate the group work
Concerns about students’online communication manners
l The impact of the occurrence of lag
l The impact of the use of exclamation marks (strong language)
l The risk of being thrown off task by distractions from online classmates
Sharing
Absolutely, I agree that virtual environment is helpful for language teaching. However, I wonder whether it is possible to embark upon this learning environment for primary students.
I taught 12 students from an after-school activity group to make their own blogs for sharing their planting experience. It was difficult for them to handle their blogs and also expressed their ideas in English. At last I could not control them to use English for communication.
Web 2.0 of virtual Environment is worthy to be explored for teaching and learning. However, we have to think how to teach primary students to get advantages from it.
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I like the way that you highlight the pros and cons of this technology here. As far as primary students are concerned, I think the concern is valid. With your students did you use just an instructor blog or a class blog with satellite student blogs? Limiting the environment to just an instructor blog would give you more control, and give the students more support.
ReplyDeleteagree with you in some points. I don't think a virtual environment is sufficiently useful for primary students. As for the higher grade students, it may do much better.
ReplyDeleteI used a class blog with satellite student blogs in the beginning. However, it doesn't work. The most 'interesting' thing is that the students forgot how to login to their blogs!
ReplyDeleteNow I change my strategy. I prefer to have a group blog. The students are encouraged to browse the blog, leave comments and also add things in.
I hope it can help train them how to use a blog for learning in future.
It sounds great that your students can share a group blog together. You are really a good teacher who knows your students well.
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