Vocabulary learning from reading: examining interactions between task and learner related variables

In the field of second and foreign language learning, how various task characteristics affect language learning has been the focus of many recent studies. Much of this research examined the relationship between task characteristics and task performance without fully taking into account learner related variables. The present study aimed to assess task complexity and sequence in relation to the learner related variables drawn from the social cognitive perspective of self-regulated learning, i.e. self-efficacy beliefs and frequency of learning strategy use, as they were applied to two versions of vocabulary learning from reading tasks. The tasks designed for the present study were based on the componential framework for second language task design. With tasks and task sequence counterbalanced, 146 first-year university students (mean age?=?18.59 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Results reveal a significant effect of task sequence on vocabulary learning self-efficacy beliefs, frequency of learning strategy use and task performance, and a significant interaction effect of sequence with task complexity. Findings are discussed in terms of complex interactions between task and learner factors.     

A dynamic analysis of why learners develop a preference for autonomous learners in computer-mediated communication

A large number of studies in CMC have assessed how social interaction, processes and learning outcomes are intertwined. The present research explores how the degree of self-determination of learners, that is the motivational orientation of a learner, influences the communication and interaction patterns in an online Problem Based Learning environment. Given the complexity of CMC, we expected that autonomous learners would be more willing to contribute to cognitive discourse. In time, we expected that control-oriented learners would develop a preferential attachment to contribute to discourse from autonomous learners. Data were gathered from 37 autonomous and 39 control-oriented learners who posted 1669 messages. Using a dynamic multi-method approach of content analysis of cognitive and social discourse, social network analysis, and measures of academic motivation, we find some preliminary evidence that motivational orientation influences communication and social interaction patterns amongst learners. From the beginning, most control-oriented learners develop a preference to connect to and communicate with autonomous learners, although a separate team-analysis indicates that group dynamics also influence how learners develop connections with other learners in time. Our findings further the understanding of differences found in distance learning courses about participation and drop-out.     

情感焦虑对外语自主学习的影响

自主学习是指由学习者自我决策、自我监控、自我管理学习过程的一种独立学习能力,其核心是一种认知的心理机制,学习者情感的介入是自主学习成功的关键因素之一。焦虑是影响语言学习的最大的心理障碍,它会通过影响在自主学习过程其它的情感变量如动机、态度、自信心等来妨碍自主学习进程以及学习效果。     

Combined Effects of Note‐Taking/‐Reviewing on Learning and the Enhancement through Interventions: A meta‐analytic review

Meta‐analyses of 33 studies were conducted to examine (1) how much the combination of taking and reviewing notes contributes to school learning, and (2) whether interventions in the note‐taking/‐reviewing procedure enhance note‐taking/‐reviewing effects, and if so, how much and under what conditions. Syntheses of findings from note‐taking/‐reviewing versus no note‐taking/‐reviewing comparison studies indicated that the overall effects of note‐taking/‐reviewing were substantial. The advantage of note‐taking with intervention over without intervention was modest but significantly greater than zero. This intervention effect was moderated by two variables: presence of provided notes and academic level of participants. Providing a framework or instructor's notes was more effective in the enhancement of note‐taking/‐reviewing effects than pre‐training or verbal instruction only. The participants at lower academic levels gained greater benefits from interventions compared with the participants at a higher academic level.     

高职学生英语学习自主性调查

以学生为主的自主学习模式在外语界受到越来越多的关注。改变传统的教学方式,培养学生的自主学习能力,把学生由被动的接受者,转变为学习和发展的主体,是当今教育工作研究的热点问题。文章通过问卷调查和访谈的方式,了解高职学生英语自主学习的现状,为教师对学生进行自主学习的训练提供教学依据。     

Requirements for electronic note taking systems: A field study of note taking in university classrooms

Note taking is the core activity for students in a classroom. There has been a large amount of research conducted, both from industry and from academia, into facilitating the note-taking process. There is evidence that shows that note taking can be beneficial for the students’ educational growth. There are also many available systems for taking notes electronically (e.g. Tablet PCs, PDAs). However, what has not been given as much attention is how these electronic devices affect (or support) the note taking task. In this paper, we study university students’ current note taking behavior and the changes caused by the use of electronic systems for this activity. The goal of our work is to identify issues that should be considered when evaluating electronic note taking systems and to formulate requirements for future electronic note-taking systems. Our findings show that while the technological support for writing with pens on electronic surfaces is quite advanced, the task of note taking in the classroom is not well supported. We identify the limitations of typical note taking systems and discuss the implications for the design of future note taking systems. Our work consisted of three parts: a survey of current note-taking practices, an observational study in a classroom environment, and a semester long case study of students using electronic note-taking devices. All of these activities took place at a large 4-year university. We found that the people reacted to note-taking devices very differently and that their current practices were not always well supported. The users all wanted to input information as fast as possible, in the manner they wanted but they were not always able to achieve that. Hardware limitations (i.e. screen size, responsiveness) added to this issue. We also found that the features that are well supported in an electronic medium (i.e. modification, reorganizing, multiple pen colors/styles, handwriting recognition, sharing) were not commonly used or wanted.     

论元认知与自主学习能力的培养

随着学习者自主的研究在应用语言学领域的逐渐深入,各种提高学习者自主学习能力的策略培训日益成为研究者兴趣之一。目前国内外已有研究结果表明元认知在各种自我学习中都起着重要作用。文章介绍了元认知与元认知策略两个概念,阐述了自主学习的重要性,并从教师的角度探讨如何增强学习者的元认知意识以培养他们的自主学习能力。     

体育艺术专业学生英语自主性学习能力调查与分析

该文运用定量分析的方法，对145名体育和艺术（音乐和美术）专业学生的英语自主性学习能力进行了调查研究。数据分析表明：大部分学生能认识到自主性学习的重要性，但在实际的学习中，绝大部分学生仍不懂得如何进行自主性学习，对体育、艺术专业学生的自主性学习能力的培养应该成为当前大学英语教学改革的主要任务之一。调查结果为体育、艺末专业的大学英语教学带来了一定的启示。     

网络环境下英语自主学习对学习者认知风格的影响

网络英语教学环境具有信息多样性和可选择性,目的在于为学习者提供有利的自主学习条件。培养学生通过高度的自主学习方式获取信息,体验英语认知过程,提高英语语言运用能力。外语认知的发展受到学习者情感、情绪、爱好等非理性因素的影响。网络环境下的自主学习模式是否能够消除语言教育成效,能否干扰学习者的习得与认知,只有通过合理构建网络平台,才能全面提高学习者认知能力。     

在理科生中推行自主学习英语的困难

自主学习是近几年来国内外普遍关注的话题。在理科生中进行的一次自主学习英语的实验中，师生都遭遇了很多困难。自主学习已是大势所趋，势在必行，所以如何解决这些困难、以确保自主学习的顺利进行是个值得探讨的话题。     

教师角色在培养学生自主学习能力中的实证研究

随着教学主体逐步从以教师为中心向以学生为中心的转移和独立学院的进一步发展,独立学院非英语专业学生的英语自主学习能力越来越引起外语研究者的关注。为了了解学生自主学习能力以及教师如何影响学生自主学习能力,笔者进行了为期两个学期的实验,对所收集的数据用SPSS 15.0软件包进行统计分析发现：当前独立学院非英语专业学生的英语自主学习能力低;教师在培养学生自主学习能力的过程中充当着促进者和资源的角色。     

运用元认知策略,提高自主学习能力

培养学习者自主学习能力是大学英语教学的重要目标之一,而元认知策略是培养学习者自主学习能力的关键。本文简要介绍了元认知理论与自主学习理论,并对两者的关系进行了阐述,进而对元认知策略培训的有效性进行了研究,最后,提出了元认知策略培训的具体方法。     

高职学生外语学习动机研究

动机是影响外语学习成败的关键因素之一,受诸多因素的影响,高职学生的外语学习动机错综复杂,文章从语言、学习者和学习情景等三个不同层面对其进行分析,并探讨了外语教师如何激发学习者的外语学习动机,以充分发挥学生在外语学习中的主体作用。     

外语学习动机研究及其教学启示

动机是影响外语学习成败的关键因素之一。由于受诸多因素的影响,外语学习动机错综复杂。从语言层面、学习者层面和学习情景层面可以对外语学习动机进行综合研究。教师和教学管理者要从多个层面激发和保持学习者的学习动机,充分发挥学习者在学习中的自我导向性和自我效能感。     

情感因素与外语教学

在过去一、二十年的语言习得研究中 ,大多数研究者都把研究重心放在学习者的认知能力和学习策略等方面 ,因为这些因素直接或间接地影响了外语习得的效率 ,但也有一些研究表明学习者的情感因素在习得外语的过程中起着同等重要的作用。本文旨在利用Krashen等人的情感理论 ,探究外语学习与情感因素之间的互动关系 ,同时着重强调情感因素对语言习得的影响 ,并指出语言教师应激活学习者的各种情感因素 ,使之更好地服务于外语教学     

Reframing research on learning with technology: in search of the meaning of cognitive tools

Previous research and development with cognitive tools has been limited by an inadequate conceptualization of the complexity underlying their nature and affordances for supporting learning and performance. This paper provides a new perspective on cognitive tools through the lens of the theories of distributed cognition and expertise. The learner, tool, and activity form a joint learning system, and the expertise in the world should be reflected not only in the tool but also in the learning activity within which learners make use of the tool. This enhanced perspective is used to clarify the nature of cognitive tools and distinguish them from other types of computer tools used in learning contexts. We have classified cognitive tools considering how expertise is classified: domain-independent (general) cognitive tools, domain-generic cognitive tools, and domain-specific cognitive tools. The implications are presented in reference to research, development, and practice of cognitive tools. The capabilities of cognitive tools should be differentiated from those of the human, but regarded as part of the system of expertise. Cognitive tools should be accompanied by appropriate learning activities, and relevant learner performance should then be assessed in the context of tool use.     

高职高专学生自主学习能力培养探究

自主学习是现代大学生不可缺少的素质之一。介绍了影响自主学习的因素:内在因素(学习动机、学习策略、元认知)和外在因素(教师的教学风格、社会环境和物质环境),结合英语课程探究如何培养高职学生自主学习能力。     

The Development of Autonomous Learners in a University Setting

This article explores the possibilities for the development of autonomous learners within the confines of an institutional education setting. Student participation in setting curriculum, in collaborative learning, and self‐ and peer‐assessment are discussed as fundamental aspects of learner‐controlled learning. They are reviewed in the context of a university research methodology unit aimed at developing autonomous researchers/learners. Outcomes for the students taking the unit included increased motivation; excitement; confidence; in‐depth learning; an appreciation of new ways of learning; respect for their peers as co‐learners and experiences of self‐reflection and self‐assessment. The study indicates that if autonomous learning is to be encouraged in universities, staff need to develop new conceptions of teaching and learning and new skills, as they move from the role of knowledge expert to that of resource person and facilitator. Students need to develop new learning strategies, as they move from being passive learners to becoming autonomous learners.     

Cognitive and affective processes in multimedia learning

This special section focuses on cognitive and affective processes in multimedia learning in a range of learning domains. Expanding previous research that has taken a predominantly cognitive perspective of multimedia learning, recent studies have begun to consider affective aspects of multimedia learning with the aim of integrating emotion, motivation, and other affective variables into cognitive processing models. The articles included in this special section are examples of the various ways in which the cognitive perspective can be enhanced by taking affective aspects of learning into account. Investigations range from the study of confusion as an affective state that can be beneficial to learning, and the consideration of the potential distracting or motivating function of decorative illustrations, to an inquiry into how visual design can induce positive emotions in learners. The results of the studies included in this section are in line with Moreno's Cognitive-Affective Theory of Learning with Media (CATLM; Moreno, 2006) and show how emotion and interest facilitate cognitive processing and improve cognitive and affective outcomes.     

A Review of Learner Autonomy in Language Learning

Learner autonomy,the ability of taking one’s own learning in charge,plays an important role in language learning.The paper reviews the definition and the level of learner autonomy,the characteristics of autonomous learners,the application of learner autonomy in the classroom and out of the classroom and the relationship between learner autonomy and culture.In the paper,the development and the study of learner autonomy in China are also summarized.