| Dr. Euline Cutrim Schmid euline.cutrim.schmid(at)ph-heidelberg.de |
|
|
|
|
This page was last
|
An Investigation into the Use of Interactive Whiteboard Technology in the Language Classroom: A Critical
Euline Cutrim Schmid Submitted for the degree of Ph.D. Linguistics September 2005
Abstract This thesis reports on a qualitative study
concerning the use of interactive whiteboard (IWB) technology in the
teaching of English for Academic Purposes/Study Skills to international
students. The study was carried out at the University of Lancaster (UK) in
the summers of 2003 and 2004. Its primary aim was to throw detailed light on
the potential of IWB technology for supporting the language learning process
in the context in question. Research data were collected via a variety of
ethnographic research instruments, namely classroom observations and
feedback from critical colleagues, teacher’s field notes, video recording of
classes, an online discussion forum, classroom discussions, semi-structured
interviews with students, and pre- and post-course student questionnaires.
The research findings reveal several perceived pedagogical benefits of using
the technology in this context, such as helping learners to adapt to novel
ways of teaching, learning and working in the “information technology
society”, and creating higher levels of active learner participation through
a) the use of hyperlinks to promote involvement in decision-making
processes, b) construction by students of IWB electronic flipcharts, and c)
students’ use of the technology for presentations and self-expression.
Research data also indicate that, in particular, the ACTIVote aspect of IWB
technology can constitute an important tool for implementing novel ways of
assessing, engaging and motivating students. However, the findings also show
that the pedagogical exploitation of IWB technology poses many challenges
for the classroom community, involving adaptation to new ways of teaching
and learning. This thesis therefore also discusses these issues and outlines
the lessons which can be learnt from the data in terms of how to better
exploit the potential of IWB technology in the foreign language classroom.
Finally, in overall conceptual terms, the study has also contributed to an
understanding of how a “critical theory of technology” can be used to shed
light on the process of technology integration in the microcosm of the
language classroom.
Keywords: Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Interactive
Whiteboard Technology, Voting Systems, English Language Teaching, EAP,
Teacher-Research, Classroom-Based Research, Critical Theory of Technology,
Electronic Literacy Approach |
|
This site was last updated on
Tuesday, 01-Dec-2009 23:12:38 CET
|