Fostering learner autonomy in English for Science: A collaborative digital video project in a technological learning environment

Fostering learner autonomy in English for Science: A collaborative digital video project in a technological learning environment

• Hafner, Christoph A. Dept. of English, City University of Hong Kong
• Miller, Lindsay Dept. of English, City University of Hong Kong

Language Learning & Technology, 15(3), 68-86, 2011

Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf

2011

• F Learning & Teaching
  • FE Medium of Instruction, Language of Teaching, Bi-& Multilingual Education, Problems of Bilingualism, Code-mixing & Code-switching
• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GD Science & Technology
    • GDA Teaching Objectives, Curriculum & Evaluation

Learner Autonomy Digital Video Digital Storytelling Syllabus Design English for Science and Technology Qualitative Research Methods Literacy Education & Educational Research Linguistics

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Post-Secondary Education

• View Full Text 全文連結

This paper reports on the syllabus design and implementation of an English for Science and Technology (EST) course at an English-medium university in Hong Kong. The course combined elements of project-based learning and a "pedagogy for multiliteracies" (New London Group, 1996) to produce a strong learner autonomy focus. A major component of the course was a student-centered digital video project, in which students created and shared a multimodal scientific documentary. A range of new technologies and Web 2.0 platforms (including YouTube and Edublogs) were integrated into the project process in order to create a technologically rich learning environment. The design of this structured technological learning environment was informed by existing case studies of students' autonomous language learning in unstructured online spaces. In this paper, we draw on students' accounts (from questionnaires, focus group interviews, and Weblog comments) to evaluate the digital video project and associated technological environment. In particular, we describe the potential of the project to provide students with opportunities to exercise their capacities as autonomous learners within a structured language learning context.
[Copyright of Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://llt.msu.edu/]

• English

Journal Articles

• 10943501

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/2bf13df8

2014-08-07