Cutting-edge theories and techniques for LCI in the context of CALL

I Can’t Program! Customizable Mobile Language-Learning Resources for Researchers and Practitioners

“…To ensure successful integration, the approach a teacher takes to implementing CALL materials should involve an iterative process of investigation, testing, and analyzing, as seen in design-based research [3]. Teachers are therefore ideal designers as they experience the successes and failures of implementing new materials in the classroom, gaining the knowledge necessary to make materials as efficient as possible [4].…”

“…In a new approach to developing CALL materials, [4] recommend adopting an Activity Theory approach to design. We propose applying this same approach to MALL, as the objective of creating activities that increase TL interaction via mobile technology is the same, with the added benefit of mobility.…”

“…We propose applying this same approach to MALL, as the objective of creating activities that increase TL interaction via mobile technology is the same, with the added benefit of mobility. Since CALL and MALL are young disciplines that lack extensive proven research and development methods, a hard sciences approach enables researchers and teachers to gain an understanding of how interactions with and through technology influence language learning [4]. Caws and Hamel [4] point out that Activity Theory [7] can enhance the development of these materials, as developers can better understand the bond between learners and human-made programs through the scope of this theory.…”

“…Since CALL and MALL are young disciplines that lack extensive proven research and development methods, a hard sciences approach enables researchers and teachers to gain an understanding of how interactions with and through technology influence language learning [4]. Caws and Hamel [4] point out that Activity Theory [7] can enhance the development of these materials, as developers can better understand the bond between learners and human-made programs through the scope of this theory. This paper aims to help practitioners use MALL technology and Activity Theory to strengthen the bond between language learners and the TL.…”

“…Just as an engineer may customize premade plans to design their creation, it is not mandatory for a language teacher to design MALL materials from scratch in order to mobilize the classroom; they may use or adapt existing material or create their own to serve their needs. By working as "CALL engineers", teacher practitioners also function as researchers and developers, a role that "gives them a privileged insight into the discipline, which engineers might not have the opportunity to acquire"' [4] (p. 4). When adopting the posture of working as a CALL engineer in a mobile setting (henceforth "MALL engineer"), the teacher, also serving as a researcher and developer, can tap into personal classroom experiences to design materials that harness the potential of mobile technology.…”