Yu Ju Lan

Let us read together: Development and evaluation of a computer-assisted reciprocal early English reading system

This study attempts to implement a cooperative reading environment for EFL early reading using a mobile-device-supported computer-assisted reciprocal early English reading (CAREER) system, and to evaluate its effect on the early reading skills and learning behaviors of elementary EFL learners. The design rationale of CAREER is based on the three essential components of effective reading instructions: balanced reading structure, immediate and specific feedback, and reciprocal learning scenario. Analytical results indicate that the CAREER system reduces the problems experienced by students in a conventional cooperative learning environment and effectively helps elementary EFL learners orchestrate their learning while completing individual reading tasks and pursuing group goals. The results also demonstrate that CAREER appears to be able to benefit elementary EFL learners in developing reading skills. In sum, with the support of CAREER, the early reading skills of elementary students are benefited by cooperating with each other.

Mobile‐device‐supported strategy for Chinese reading comprehension

The work described in this paper explores the feasibility of using of a wireless handheld system (WHS) that supports the individual and co‐operative reading activities of students and helps teachers implement reading strategy instruction in Chinese language classes. The experimental findings demonstrate that the WHS benefits students applying reading strategies and improves co‐operative learning in relation to small reading groups.

Collaborative Early EFL Reading among Distributed Learners: A Simulation Pilot Study

In this paper, we designed a wireless peer-assisted leaning system for early EFL reading to enhance online collaborative EFL reading and provide distributed EFL learners with an opportunity to teach and learn with each other. Compare with the control group, the result shows that wireless EFL reading is emerging as a flexible and portable solution to the pedagogical challenges exist in conventional EFL reading teaching instruction.

Bridging in-and-out Class Learning: Mobile Seamless Mandarin Learning

This study aimed at bridging CSL students’ learning both inside and outside the classroom. Mobile seamless learning technology was used to enhance their Mandarin performances. Forty-one overseas Chinese students participated in this study. The Mandarin Chinese performances was collected and analyzed to determine the effects of mobile seamless learning on Mandarin Chinese learning by overseas Chinese students. Analysis of the results showed that overseas Chinese students were benefited from connecting the gaps between inside and outside the classroom learning.

A Cognitive-Interactive Approach to Chinese Characters Learning: System Design and Development

A solid knowledge of Chinese characters plays an important role in Chinese reading. Essentially, Chinese characters, a graphic- based orthographic rule, are much different from the words of an alphabetic language, such as English, French, etc. The uniqueness of Chinese characters make it is extremely difficult for most of the CFL/CSL learners no matter what their nationalities are. In this paper we developed a Chinese character learning system based on a cognitive-interactive perspective to help CFL/CSL learners learn Chinese characters. The results of a preliminary survey show that most of the surveyed CSL learners approved the learning systems design rationale as well as made positive comments on the system learning effect upon their Chinese character knowledge construction.

Research Trends of Language Learning in Virtual Reality from 2003 to 2012: A Content Analysis

This paper conducted a content analysis of studies in language learning in three dimensional multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) that were published in four journals from 2003 to 2012. A total of 23 articles were cross-analyzed by categories including research topics, target languages, technology usage, and research methodology to identify some of the research issues and limitations in the research area. It was found that research in communication was the most explored topic in MUVEs, and the 3D virtual world tool Second Life was the most widely used in language learning. However, the list of research topics and studying languages were rather limited. Thus, there are definitely needed more studies to enrich the research area. We hope that this paper can involve more language researchers in 3D MUVEs to provide students input- and output-rich and immersive environment where learning can be appealing, meaningful, and fun.

Let's read together: an evaluation of a computer assisted reciprocal early english reading system

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of a computer assisted reciprocal early English reading (CAREER) system. The results showed that these components were unable to guarantee the students to collaborate well when they lacked for the abilities to accomplish the assigned tasks. Nevertheless, with the support of the proposed mobile reading system the students were benefited by collaborating with each other.

The effects of 3D immersion on CSL students’ listening comprehension

ABSTRACT The study aimed at enhancing Chinese as a second language (CSL) students’ listening comprehension by using authentic contexts in Second Life (SL). Twenty-seven CSL students from 4 countries participated in the 6-week study. A within-subject design was adopted to confirm the effects of 3D immersive experiences on CSL students’ listening comprehension. All the participants sequentially experienced the two kinds of CSL listening support used in this study, both the traditional approach and 3D virtual immersion. The results of listening performance tests, questionnaires, and interview data were collected and analyzed during the study. The analysis results show that CSL students’ listening comprehension benefited from 3D immersion. The participants also expressed their preference for taking CSL listening lessons in 3D immersive contexts.

Listening Strategy Applications by Learners under the Context of Multimodality

While listening comprehension is one of the foundations for effective communication, the teaching and learning of listening is usually limited to conventional methods. Fortunately, with the development of technology, particularly 3D virtual reality, such limits as time and space encountered in a conventional classroom can be overcome. This study recruited 27 beginners in Chinese and arranged these participants to take 4 listening comprehension tests, 2 tests with Second Life (SL) as the listening comprehension support and 2 tests with printed pictures. To examine how both types of support influence the adoption of listening strategies while taking Chinese listening comprehension tests, the researchers collected research data with questionnaires and interviews. Overall, more metacognitive strategies than cognitive strategies were adopted. This research has also identified the most and the least commonly used strategies with SL and printed pictures as the listening support.

Using Weblogs to Promote Self-Directed Learning in Elementary Students Independent Science Study

This paper provides an overview of implementing self-directed learning by utilizing weblogs in elementary studentspsila independent study. The key feature of studentspsila independent study in Taiwanese elementary settings was used to teacher-directed learning. By utilizing weblogs in studentspsila science study, it is found that students seem to behave more self-directed learning behaviors and more active in pursuing their study goals because of the feedbacks and participation by the peer community.