Schedule: 2009-09-10 (15:00 - 15:45)
Parallel Session 6 (Room A-26)

Title: Comparative Usability Study of ICT Tools for Collaborative Language Learning
Authors: András Kétyi
Abstract: Numerous surveys indicate that information- and communication technologies (ICT) are still not being adequately used at schools. Teachers primarily use ICT for preparation, planning and follow-up activities, less frequently in the course of teaching. This research shows how, the use of ICT tools can be adequately implemented in everyday teaching practice, for increased efficiency and motivation. Another reason for improving language learning through ICT are the poor results of foreign language acquisition by Hungarians. We hope to deliver convincing data about more efficient language acquisition with tools used in research.

The ongoing project started in September 2008 and will end in June 2009. It is focused on everyday use of ICT tools in collaborative language learning environment with four groups, who study German as a second language at our college.

We use two different virtual learning environments, Moodle and a Hungarian development called CooSpace. An interactive whiteboard and electronic voting system is also employed. These three tools replace the main course book required in all groups, so every material appears only in digital format that the students access online.

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) and the trialogical learning paradigm constitute the theoretical background of the research. Our aim is to inspire participants to collaboratively develop, create or transform shared objects through ICT tools.

Participants in the experiment are 63 students, 48 in three experimental groups and 15 in a control group, but we will involve two other groups as control groups in February. Then we will cover all first year students who learn German as a second language (n=91). The independent variables are the three ICT tools (VLE, e-Board, EVS).

Research design includes a combination of quantitative and qualitative research. We have already performed a pre- survey in September 2008 to diagnose the language skills of students, a survey about the ICT competence of participant students and an end test in December 2008. We plan more surveys, one in February 2009, one in May 2009 and a post-hoc survey in September 2009. Data collection will be carried out quantitatively by questionnaires and tests, and qualitatively by transcripts of interviews, observations, document analysis, logs of ICT use and narratives.

We keep a research diary from the beginning of the research, where we continuously collect the research problems and experiences with the participants, the tools etc.

The first research question is whether the use of ICT tools and the collaborative environment increase language acquisition and makes teaching more efficient in the experimental than in the control groups. We also investigate if ICT influences the rate of language acquisition both in research and in control groups. The third question deals with the performance of the participants with problem-based tasks.

Outcomes of the ongoing research will be channeled in a wider project, which will start in September 2009 and where we will have much more participating students and institutions in order to obtain more reliable results.
Keywords: ICT, VLE, interactive whiteboard, electronic voting system, trialogical learning paradigm

Main topic: Learning Management Systems

Biodata: lecturer at the Budapest Business School, teaching German as a second language and PhD student at the Doctoral School of Education, University of Szeged, Hungary
Type of presentation Paper presentation

Paper category Research & Development

Target educational sector Higher education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project No

Schedule:	2009-09-10 (15:00 - 15:45) Parallel Session 6 (Room A-26)
Title:	Comparative Usability Study of ICT Tools for Collaborative Language Learning
Authors:	András Kétyi
Abstract:	Numerous surveys indicate that information- and communication technologies (ICT) are still not being adequately used at schools. Teachers primarily use ICT for preparation, planning and follow-up activities, less frequently in the course of teaching. This research shows how, the use of ICT tools can be adequately implemented in everyday teaching practice, for increased efficiency and motivation. Another reason for improving language learning through ICT are the poor results of foreign language acquisition by Hungarians. We hope to deliver convincing data about more efficient language acquisition with tools used in research. The ongoing project started in September 2008 and will end in June 2009. It is focused on everyday use of ICT tools in collaborative language learning environment with four groups, who study German as a second language at our college. We use two different virtual learning environments, Moodle and a Hungarian development called CooSpace. An interactive whiteboard and electronic voting system is also employed. These three tools replace the main course book required in all groups, so every material appears only in digital format that the students access online. Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) and the trialogical learning paradigm constitute the theoretical background of the research. Our aim is to inspire participants to collaboratively develop, create or transform shared objects through ICT tools. Participants in the experiment are 63 students, 48 in three experimental groups and 15 in a control group, but we will involve two other groups as control groups in February. Then we will cover all first year students who learn German as a second language (n=91). The independent variables are the three ICT tools (VLE, e-Board, EVS). Research design includes a combination of quantitative and qualitative research. We have already performed a pre- survey in September 2008 to diagnose the language skills of students, a survey about the ICT competence of participant students and an end test in December 2008. We plan more surveys, one in February 2009, one in May 2009 and a post-hoc survey in September 2009. Data collection will be carried out quantitatively by questionnaires and tests, and qualitatively by transcripts of interviews, observations, document analysis, logs of ICT use and narratives. We keep a research diary from the beginning of the research, where we continuously collect the research problems and experiences with the participants, the tools etc. The first research question is whether the use of ICT tools and the collaborative environment increase language acquisition and makes teaching more efficient in the experimental than in the control groups. We also investigate if ICT influences the rate of language acquisition both in research and in control groups. The third question deals with the performance of the participants with problem-based tasks. Outcomes of the ongoing research will be channeled in a wider project, which will start in September 2009 and where we will have much more participating students and institutions in order to obtain more reliable results.
Keywords:	ICT, VLE, interactive whiteboard, electronic voting system, trialogical learning paradigm
Main topic:	Learning Management Systems
Biodata:	lecturer at the Budapest Business School, teaching German as a second language and PhD student at the Doctoral School of Education, University of Szeged, Hungary
Type of presentation	Paper presentation
Paper category	Research & Development
Target educational sector	Higher education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	No