Told Like It Is! An Evaluation of an

Integrated Oral Development Pilot Project

David Barr, Jonathan Leakey, and Alexandre Ranchoux (2005)

Presented by A-Fabulous!

Background CALL (computer-assisted language learning) Most CALL-based learning has focused on non-

oral activities “Technology and oral language development have

been rare bedfellows and for one obvious reason: The technology for oral development has posed the greatest challenge to both hardware and software developers” (p. 2).

TOLD (Technology and Oral Language Development) Project At the University of Ulster Focused on communication with technology

Research Questions

Does computer technology significantly help students in oral language development?

What factors may affect this? What are staff and student reactions for

using technology for oral language development?

Their Hypothesis

“A CALL environment makes NO difference to learning gains in oral language development” (p. 4).

Their Methods

One hour per week over a semester Four conversation groups of 5-11 students Two groups are the treatment group

Used Tell Me More hardware Taught in a multimedia classroom

Two groups are the comparison group Taught in a traditional way

Data was collected through: Questionnaires, surveys, journals and pre- and

posttests

Findings

Both groups made progress in oral communication

The Non-Tech group made more progress Pre-Tests were lower though, and they have the

same post-test score… They reject their hypothesis, however

“because the comparison group also made significant progress the improvements cannot be attributed to technology” (p. 12).

Findings that were surprising or not…

Most results favored the comparison group :O

Fluency and content improved more in the comparison group :\ Meaningful communication

The treatment group did not improve more in grammar :O

Both groups improved in personal questions, pronunciation, and accent :\

Students’ Thoughts on the Use of Technology

One thought that the headphones were difficult to use BUT another thought that they were helpful

Only one student mentioned problems with technology affecting learning

Some students found the technology to be motivating

7 out of 15 students described the group discussion and the debates as the best part of class

Tutors’ Thoughts on the Use of Technology

It did not always fit the goals of the class

It created a barrier They had more reservations about the

use of technology

Conclusions Cannot say definitively that technology hindered

performance Need a larger sample (and not always an

inexperienced one) Need a longer term study

This study does not account for the lost instruction time on explaining how to use the technology

Need a new hypothesis The CALL environment improves certain aspects of oral

language development The CALL environment hinders certain aspects of oral

language development

Appendix C: Benefits of each model

Monitoring Pronunciation Responding spontaneously in a

conversation Responding to visual or aural input Taking an active part in a group

discussion Giving a presentation

Autumn’s thoughts…

Initially disappointed by the article… Thought it was going to be about chatting and

how writing skills do transfer to speaking skills While the non-tech group improved more, it

started at a lower level… What about a ‘both’ group? What about incorporating more meaningful

online communication (they do suggest this for future studies)

Underestimates the motivational factor