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When technology speaks language: an evaluation of course management systems used in a language learning context

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2010

Wen-Kai Yu ,
Yu-Chih Sun  and
Yu-Jung Chang
Wen-Kai Yu*
Affiliation:
National Chiao Tung University, Institute of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, 1001 University Rd., Hsinchu, Taiwan 300 (emails: revolutiontmr@yahoo.com.tw, sunyc@mail.nctu.edu.tw, yujung@u.washington.edu)
Yu-Chih Sun*
Affiliation:
National Chiao Tung University, Institute of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, 1001 University Rd., Hsinchu, Taiwan 300 (emails: revolutiontmr@yahoo.com.tw, sunyc@mail.nctu.edu.tw, yujung@u.washington.edu)
Yu-Jung Chang*
Affiliation:
National Chiao Tung University, Institute of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, 1001 University Rd., Hsinchu, Taiwan 300 (emails: revolutiontmr@yahoo.com.tw, sunyc@mail.nctu.edu.tw, yujung@u.washington.edu)
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Abstract

In light of the growing popularity of the use of computer management systems (CMSs) in higher education today, this study critically evaluates CMS adoption through a content-specific lens. By employing a mixed-method approach, the study examines college teachers’ and students’ experiences and perceptions of CMS adoption for language learning and teaching purposes. The findings show that despite the users’ perceived advantages of using CMSs in language courses, the systems’ lack of content-area specificity undermines many of the potential benefits. The study calls for better-rounded professional training to assist language teachers in integrating CMS functions strategically into their disciplinary pedagogy and incorporating multimedia language resources selectively to maximize the benefit of CMSs. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate the importance of developing content-specific CMSs with functions tailored toward pedagogical needs in different contexts.

Keywords

Application in subject areaspost-secondary educationcomputer management systemscomputer mediated communicationprofessional developmentlanguage learning/teaching
Type
Research Article
Information
ReCALL , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , September 2010 , pp. 332 - 355
Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2010

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