Category: CALICO

Provisional Book Title: Learner Autonomy and Web 2.0

Call for Abstracts

The 2017 CALICO Monograph, published by Equinox, aims to explore how the notion of learner autonomy is being reshaped within Web 2.0 environments. In early definitions, dating from the 1980s,learner autonomy was largely conceived of in terms of individuals working in ‘self-access’ mode, selecting the learning resources and methods they saw as effective, in pursuit of personal goals, perhaps with the aid of a learning adviser (Holec 1981). Other theorists of learner autonomy – such as Dam (1995), Little (2012) or Trebbi (1989) – viewed the concept as having a social dimension, rather than being purely individualistic. This second view of learner autonomy is more and more relevant given the advent of social media, where students have unprecedented opportunities for collaborative learning (Lamy & Zourou 2013). Consequently, social theories of learning (e.g. sociocultural theory, communities of practice, connectivism) have increasingly informed research into learner autonomy in foreign language learning (see Murray 2014). Of equal importance is the opportunity afforded by Web 2.0 of using multiple modes for making meaning, in learning to communicate online. This has enabled some to suggest a possible recasting of learner autonomy in the digital world as ‘the informed use of a range of interacting resources in context’ (Palfreyman, 2006; Fuchs, Hauck and Müller-Hartmann, 2012). Others may feel that being digitally literate alone does not constitute learner autonomy in the online world. The question is: ‘What does?’

In this monograph, we welcome chapters grounded in sound theoretical frameworks and/or analyzing empirical data which investigate how learner autonomy intertwines with the social and/or the modal affordances of Web 2.0 environments. The questions raised for educational users of Web 2.0 environments about the relationship between CALL and learner autonomy include, but are not restricted to:

• Do online learners require or acquire learner autonomy in practising CMC?

• What affordances of CALL environments, and more particularly Web 2.0 environments, could help develop the different facets of learner autonomy?

• How do (a) digital literacy and (b) L2 proficiency relate to learner autonomy in online environments?

• What space exists for individuals to exercise learner autonomy in Web 2.0? How does individual autonomy relate to group autonomy in Web 2.0?

• How can online learning tasks be designed to foster both individual and group autonomy?

• How can individual learning gain be monitored and assessed in Web 2.0?

• With such questions at stake, what is the expected role of language centers?

• Which (new, or existing) forms of counselling may foster students’ learning-to-learn skills within Web 2.0 environments?

Interested authors should send a chapter abstract (200-300 words, plus references) and an author biography (100 words) to calico2017monograph@gmail.com before Monday July 15, 2015.

Timeline

Deadline for submission of abstracts 15 July 2015

Notification of contributors 31 August 2015

First draft of papers to be submitted 1st Dec 2015

Second draft of papers to be submitted 15 Apr 2016

Special Issue to be published April 2017

 

Editors

Tim Lewis, Open University

Annick Rivens Mompean, Lille3 University

Marco Cappellini, Lille3 University

ALL FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

The 2015 Volume in CALICO’s Monograph Book Series.

Guest editors

Dr Ed Dixon (University of Pennsylvania, USA)

Dr Michael Thomas (University of Central Lancashire, UK)

Book Title

Researching Language Learner Interaction Online: From Social Media to MOOCs

Overview

This timely volume aims to publish new empirical research on language learning in digitally-mediated environments and conceptual chapters that address new research approaches for effectively understanding the complex interactions taking place online. This dual focus distinguishes the volume from existing books in the field and is based on a recognition of the need for qualitative, multimodal and mixed methods research approaches that aim to capture a holistic understanding of learner interaction in online spaces.

According to advocates, social network sites and new learning spaces like Coursera, Instreamia and other MOOCs are set to have an unprecedented impact on educational practice and affect the ways students engage with language and culture over the next decade. The volume will also examine the process of language acquisition in globally networked learning environments and the role that international interactions play in enriching the language learning experience and perspectives of world cultures. Chapter authors will make important contributions towards a better understanding of how international online interactions in online environments such as social networking sites can achieve proficiency goals and aid learner interaction, intercultural understanding and digital literacy skills. Chapters are requested which explore how digital environments provide learners with opportunities to:

●      Engage in meaningful conversations and exchange viewpoints with like-minded learners worldwide;

●      Compare one’s own cultural reference with a multiplicity of different cultural perspectives of the target language and culture;

●      Connect with other disciplines through online courses that offer professional and academic courses in foreign languages;

●      Continue their study of the target language beyond the school setting in multicultural online communities of practice.

In addition to discussing the potential contribution of MOOCs and social networks in terms of enriching the language-learning experience and preparing students for global citizenship through the study of a foreign language, authors will address a multiplicity of issues affecting language education at pedagogical and institutional levels. At the pedagogical level, this volume will examine instructional methods, learning strategies, student feedback, peer assessment and lifelong learning. At the institutional level, we will investigate issues of teacher readiness, accreditation and articulation.

The volume will have two parts,

●      with the first addressing new approaches to researching online CALL environments using digital technologies and applications

●      and the second providing examples of empirical research on learner interaction online e.g., in social networking sites such as Livemocha, virtual worlds, telecollaboration, and online and blended language learning contexts.

In the first stage, abstracts of no more than 250-300 words are requested on the following or related topics:

●      Methods and approaches to language learning and teaching in MOOCS, social networks and blended environments

●      Cultural and social approaches to online language study

●      Language learner interaction in virtual worlds

●      Proficiency and assessment of online learners

●      Microblogging and language learning

●      Input and output in digital-learning environments

●      Institutional readiness and professional development

●      Accreditation, curricular integration and articulation

●      Using digital video and screen capture software

●      Eye tracking software and digital literacy

●      Multimodal and new approaches to researching language learning in social networks

●      Big data and learner interaction

●      The ethics of online research with language learners

Timeline:

First Call for Abstracts (1 March  2014)

Deadline for submission of abstracts (1 April  2014)

Notification of contributors (1 May 2014)

First draft of full papers to be submitted (1 October 2014)

Publication of the CALICO monograph (1 May 2015)