Supporting learning and teaching of languages using e-Learning : the importance of VLEs and the rise of students’ agency

Merlin, Patricia (2012) Supporting learning and teaching of languages using e-Learning : the importance of VLEs and the rise of students’ agency. Investigations in university teaching and learning, 8. pp. 109-118. ISSN 1740-5106

Abstract

Whether it is traditional teaching or online tuition, the understanding of how students learn is the cornerstone of designing the use of learning technologies, Laurillard (2002) argues. Furthermore, she stresses that the students’ learning is the teacher’s responsibility by clearly stating that the quality of learning of a student is correlated to the efficiency of the teaching. With languages, teaching consists of mediating and facilitating learning. The technology provides the perfect tools to do so and allows students to construct their own learning. There is, however, a vast array of ever-changing tools available. For this reason, it is necessary to stipulate that the focus should be placed on the pedagogy underlying their use and not on the technology. This paper will explore the relevance of using learning technology to foster students' agency and its implications for language teaching practice.

Documents
358:2066
[thumbnail of InvestigationsInUniversityTeachingAndLearning_v8_p109-118.pdf]
Preview
InvestigationsInUniversityTeachingAndLearning_v8_p109-118.pdf - Published Version

Download (102kB) | Preview
Details
Record
View Item View Item