1st Edition

Language Learning Online: Towards Best Practice

Edited By Uschi Felix Copyright 2003
    232 Pages
    by Taylor & Francis

    This important and accessible book identifies the key elements in the quest for best practice in online language teaching. The authors, all of them international experts who have made significant contributions to the debate about how to exploit the new technologies, consider online language teaching from three crucial perspectives: design, tools and pedagogy. Their recommendations are such that they can actually be realised in spite of the limitations of today's educational environments.
    The book demonstrates that the new technologies offer far greater potential for authentic encounters and constructivist learning than even the best classroom simulations; that automated exercise and feedback structures can be individualised and meaningful; and that if we have to teach fully by distance, these ventures no longer need to represent impoverished versions of live classes but can engender a strong sense of community. To achieve this we need to understand what elements constitute good design both in technical and pedagogical terms, to think seriously about providing the best feedback possible, and to have the courage to take the risks associated with letting go of traditional learner/teacher relationships.

    Foreword
    Contributors
    INTRODUCTION
    1 An orchestrated vision of language learning online

    Uschi Felix
    DESIGN
    2 Language learning online: designing towards user acceptability

    Dominique Hémard
    3 Optimising web course design for language learners
    Robert Godwin-Jones
    TOOLS
    4 Servers, clients, testing and teaching

    Stewart Arneil and Martin Holmes
    5 Engaging the learner – how to author for best feedback
    Paul Bangs
    6 MOO as a language learning tool
    Lesley Shield
    7 Virtual worlds as arenas for language learning
    Patrik Svensson
    PEDAGOGY
    8 Pedagogy on the line: identifying and closing the missing links

    Uschi Felix
    9 Using internet-based audio-graphic and video conferencing for
    language teaching and learning

    Regine Hampel and Eric Baber
    10 Perspectives on offline and online training initiatives
    Graham Davies
    Index

    Biography

    Uschi Felix