Action research, a methodological approach to the study of CALL RUAN Quanyou ( 阮全友 ) School of Foreign Languages, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Tel: A presentation submitted for the 2006 International Symposium of Computer Assisted Language Learning

Introduction General Introduction  The study on CALL has been discussed for many years…  Teachers and researchers are expecting a proper theory or a sound interpretation could match theory with practice, illustrate the phenomena in CALL, end up the up-growing divergent discussions.  AR, as a methodological approach into the study of CALL, could reveal a deeper insight into the global understanding of CALL, in essence and in different aspects. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Introduction Objectives of this paper:  to validate the significance of introducing a methodological approach into the study of CALL.  to present a systematic, methodological approach in guiding us towards a holistic, essential understanding of CALL. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Literature review The literature of CALL study falls into two major categories 1.Objective historical accounts which attempt to summarize the progression and might include precise dates and a comprehensive list of sources. 2. The interpretative type which tends to draw more subjective conclusions about advances and trends in the field Delcloque,2000 While in China, the mainstream of CALL research, regardless of people's CALL activities, features largely in an introduction of CALL studies overseas. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Literature review AR, as a research method, has existed for decades, the literature of CALL research has ignored its importance. “a form of self-reflective inquiry carried out by practitioners, aimed at solving problem, improving practice, or enhancing understanding (Nunan, 1992: cited in Bailey, Curtis and Nunan, 2004) Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Literature review AR cannot be regarded merely as a qualitative research method, it might be promoted as a methodological approach to CALL study since it carries the following five features : 1. AR focuses on solving problems in practice; 2. AR has changed teacher from a theory-receiver to a practitioner; 3. AR builds a bridge between theory and practice; 4. AR represents a reflective way of thinking; 5. AR involves a cyclic process in which research, action and evaluation are interlinked. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Action Research, a methodological approach to the study of CALL 1. Concept of CALL 2. The participants of CALL activities 3. Research method 4. AR interacting spiral – a predominant characteristic of this methodological approach 5. Influence on pedagogy 6. Trends of CALL development Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

1.Concept of CALL CALL: “the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning” (Levy, 1997) CALL software and computer should solve all possible problems ? Can we watch our time until the birth of a perfect computer ? AR reveals “a process through which practitioners study their own practice to solve their personal practical problems” (Corey, 1953) Matches with in interpreting the role of practiceCALL AR Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

2. The participants of CALL activities CALL activities involve teacher, students and computer. AR has changed the teacher’s role from “a consumer of someone’s research results” to “teacher as researcher” (Stenhouse, 1975) Project-based learning, inquiry learning, research-oriented language learning, self- regulated language learning, and data-driven language learning “student as researcher” Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

3. Research method Methodological Approach to CALL Research – CALL research design, the author’s understanding Is there any approach that can combine both qualitative and quantitative approaches and be easily understood and accepted? (AR) – AR - qualitative approach or quantitative approach?  Classifying an approach as qualitative research or quantitative research, does not mean that once an approach has been selected, the researcher may not move...  Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses and each is particularly suitable for a particular context. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

4. AR interacting spiral Many scholars have discussed the cyclical nature of AR AR interacting spiral (Coghlan, D. & Brannick T ) (Hopkins 1985) Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

4. AR interacting spiral AR interacting spiral: a new interpretation Module OneModule Two learning in action Basic research cycle of AR-researcher Mirror AR/ Research on AR learning on action AR-participantsAR-researcher Self-regulated learning Inquiry learning Self-accessed learning Research-oriented learning Collaborative learning … Students as researcher Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

5. Influence on pedagogy AR, as a methodological approach to CALL research, helps to strengthen the awareness that CALL activities should go beyond teaching methods and pedagogy. “Behavioristic CALL, Communicative CALL and Integrative CALL (Warchauer,1996)” “Structural CALL, Communicative CALL and Integrative CALL (Warchauer,2000) “Restricted CALL, Open CALL and Integrated CALL”(Bax, 2003) eclecticism “Restricted CALL, Open CALL and Normalizing CALL” (Ruan & Sun, 2003) Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

6.Trends of CALL development Understanding the future of CALL research AR and the research on AR Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

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