
Autonomy and Foreign Language Learning in a Virtual Learning Environment
Miranda Hamilton(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic USA (Publisher)
Published on 11. April 2013
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-4411-5064-6 (ISBN)
Description
Digitalised learning with its promise of autonomy, enhanced learner choice, independence and freedom, is an intuitive and appealing construct but closer examination reveals it to be a rather simplistic proposition, raising the following questions.
-What do we mean by autonomy?
-What are we implying about the role of the teacher, the classroom, and interaction between learners?
-What do we understand about the impact of technology on the ecology of the learning environment?
This book describes the use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) by a group of advanced English language learners in Mexico, comparing what students thought and what they did in response to the technology. The theoretical aim of the book is to work towards the construction of a theory of the development of autonomy and virtual learning in an EFL context. Enhanced understanding about the relationship between autonomy and technology has the potential to inform academics, software designers, materials writers, teacher educators, and teachers and to help learners in
their quest to acquire a foreign language.
-What do we mean by autonomy?
-What are we implying about the role of the teacher, the classroom, and interaction between learners?
-What do we understand about the impact of technology on the ecology of the learning environment?
This book describes the use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) by a group of advanced English language learners in Mexico, comparing what students thought and what they did in response to the technology. The theoretical aim of the book is to work towards the construction of a theory of the development of autonomy and virtual learning in an EFL context. Enhanced understanding about the relationship between autonomy and technology has the potential to inform academics, software designers, materials writers, teacher educators, and teachers and to help learners in
their quest to acquire a foreign language.
Reviews / Votes
This book is well written, with a clear and crisp style that allows the reader to follow the theoretical drive of the book without strain ... A thought-provoking exploration ... If you have an interest in learner autonomy, educational technology, or both, this book is definitely worth your time. * ELT Journal *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
555 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4411-5064-6 (9781441150646)
DOI
CBID168464
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2013
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic USA
€42.99
Available for download

E-Book
04/2013
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic USA
€42.99
Available for download
Person
Miranda Hamilton is a Researcher in Cambridge looking at Learning Orientated Assessment with a focus on the use of technology. She recently completed her PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK.
Content
1. Paradox and Promise: autonomy, foreign language learning and technology
2. Understanding Autonomy: an overview
3. Technology: Virtual Promise or Virtual Reality - the pedagogical challenge
4. Shadow Dancing: autonomy in action
5. Learner Reflections about Learning English as a Foreign Language and the role of technology
6. Perceptions and Reality 1: Students' response to using a VLE in computer-room lessons
7. Perceptions and Reality 2: Students' free-time use of the VLE
8. An Ecological Perspective of Autonomy, Foreign Language Learning and Technology
9. Looking Back, Thinking Forwards
Bibliography
Index
2. Understanding Autonomy: an overview
3. Technology: Virtual Promise or Virtual Reality - the pedagogical challenge
4. Shadow Dancing: autonomy in action
5. Learner Reflections about Learning English as a Foreign Language and the role of technology
6. Perceptions and Reality 1: Students' response to using a VLE in computer-room lessons
7. Perceptions and Reality 2: Students' free-time use of the VLE
8. An Ecological Perspective of Autonomy, Foreign Language Learning and Technology
9. Looking Back, Thinking Forwards
Bibliography
Index