Making the most of others: autonomous interdependence in adult beginner distance language learners

Autonomy in language learning does not simply equate with independence, as language learning is a social activity that requires interaction with others. This also applies just as much to distance language learners, who need to reconcile independent language learning and interdependence with others. This article draws on findings from 43 mid-course interviews with adult beginner distance learners of French, Spanish, and German, and focuses on ways in which they engage with tutors and with other students, and the extent to which these interactions enhance their learning. It shows that many students are prepared to seek clarification from their tutors, but not strategic advice in areas of learning that are likely to be most problematic. It also highlights how feelings about working with other students can enhance or restrict progress toward autonomous interdependence. Finally, it considers ways for facilitating greater learner control in these key aspects of their studies.     

Programming MOOCs – different learners and different motivation

ABSTRACT

MOOCs for learning the basics of programming have become popular among people with a diverse range of backgrounds, interests and learning contexts. Studies show that learners who enrol in MOOCs tend to have different motivation from learners in traditional courses, but it is not known how motivation differs for people with different backgrounds. This study aims to describe how the motivational factors behind enrolment in programming MOOCs relate to learners’ characteristics. The data were gathered in the spring of 2017 with a motivation scale (FIEM) from 1,536 participants of the MOOC ‘About Programming’. Using comparative analysis, differences in motivational factors between groups by gender, employment status and previous experiences in programming were found. Correlational analysis revealed that educational level, age and self-evaluated probability of completing the MOOC were also related to motivational factors. Different people are motivated by different factors, indicating that this knowledge could be used to design interesting and motivating programming MOOCs, which are relevant to learners with various backgrounds.     

Assessment of learning environment motivational quality from the point of view of secondary and high school learners

There is a growing interest about learning environments enhancing learning motivation. However, two questions need to be answered to improve learning environment motivational quality: how much motivational value do students attribute to each particular component of learning environments? and in what degree is such value mediated by students' motivational orientations? To answer both questions and in an effort to replicate results coming from previous studies, 630 students, 15–17 years old, from three different schools were given two questionnaires. The first included different learning environment characteristics aimed at enhancing learning motivation. Students had to declare how much motivation to learn was arisen in them by these characteristics. The second assessed students' motivational traits and orientations: Learning orientation, Outcome orientation and Avoidance orientation. Mean, correlation and multiple-regression analyses were performed to answer the questions. As in previous studies, results support predictions concerning both questions. Teaching patterns assessed and expected to enhance learning motivation do it. However, the motivational value attached to the different patterns assessed is modulated by students' motivational characteristics. Implications of these results for designing learning environments aimed at enhancing students' motivation and for teachers' motivational training are discussed.     

Community detection with opinion leaders’ identification for promoting collaborative problem-based learning performance

In the 21st century when knowledge-based economy is emphasized, the cultivation of autonomous learning and problem-solving abilities presents the importance. With web-based collaborative problem-based learning (CPBL), learners could more conveniently cultivate their problem-solving abilities through autonomous learning. Nevertheless, learners are often guided to solve a target problem by the information announced by teachers during the CPBL processes. Individual learners often could not effectively absorb such standard information, thus ignoring the important information from teachers. In the information communication theory, the two-step flow of communication through opinion leaders has been proved that it can better change audiences’ attitudes than the one-step flow of communication through mass media. This study thus employs the modularity Q function as the fitness function of genetic algorithm to optimally detect learning communities and uses PageRank measure to accurately find out community opinion leaders according to the social network interaction data of learners in the CPBL process. Based on quasi-experimental design, this study examines whether learners in the experimental group using the two-step flow of communication through opinion leaders to convey information for solving the target CPBL missions could more significantly enhance web-based CPBL performance, social network interaction and group cohesion than learners in the control group using the one-step flow of communication through teachers’ information. Analytical results show learners in the experimental group remarkably outperform those in the control group on learning performance and peer interaction under a CPBL environment. Particularly, female learners in the experimental group notably outperform female learners in the control group on learning performance, while there is no significant difference in male learners between both groups. More importantly, learners in the experimental group present significantly higher group cohesion than those in the control group. This study confirms that using the two-step flow of communication instead of the one-step flow of communication traditionally used in web-based learning environments could significantly promote web-based CPBL performance, social network interaction and group cohesion.     

Exploring autonomous learning capacity from a self-regulated learning perspective using learning analytics

Practising self-regulated learning (SRL) has been proposed to develop learning autonomy. However, there is lack of empirical evidence on how SRL strategies affect autonomous learning capacity. This study attempts to bridge that gap by utilizing the learners’ trace data for measuring the learners’ autonomous interactions, and investigates the effects of four SRL strategies on learners’ autonomous choices. The goal is to explain how the employed SRL strategies impact autonomous control (in terms of frequencies of self-enforced decisions, as well as time-spent on decision making). The results from an exploratory study with undergraduate learners (N = 113) shown that goal-setting and time-management have strong positive effects on autonomous control, effort-regulation moderately positively affects learners’ autonomy, while help-seeking has a strong negative effect. These findings provide empirical evidence and contribute to clarifying the role of each one of the SRL strategies in the development of autonomous learning capacity, from a learning analytics perspective. Limitations and potential implications for research and practice are also discussed.     

An instructional paradigm for the teaching of computer-mediated communication

This article outlines an instructional paradigm that guides the design of interventions that build skills in computer-mediated communication (CMC). It is applicable to learning at multiple levels of communicative proficiency and aims to heighten awareness, the understanding of the impact of media configurations, the role of cultures and social contexts in mediated communication, and forward research in the service of instructional designs for CMC. This paradigm broadens the scope of Hymes’ (Sociolinguistics, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1972) theory of communicative competence, which is often applied to foreign language learning contexts, to include online interaction. The paradigm addresses the nuances of mediated communication through recognition of the situations and modes that intersect in online spaces. The paradigm is designed for learning situations that provide time and access to mediated environments where learners develop values for communication skill through practical experiences and structured reflection. This approach to creating instruction has at its core certain values, including risk-taking by participating in unfamiliar contexts, appreciating mediated-communication configurations as unique modalities, and placing CMC skills development within larger sets of pedagogical goals. This instructional paradigm does not assume that verbal fluency, grammatical competence, skill in either writing or speaking, nor membership in any age group translates directly to skill in CMC. The methods presented here have been selected because they build tolerance and appreciation for divergent viewpoints. The methods are (1) building interest by having learners select specific media situations, (2) facilitating collaboration by constructing safe spaces, (3) directly teaching CMC reading skills, (4) using examples and matched non-examples, (5) investigating CMC principles in real world examples through structured discussions, (6) showing the process of different communications’ development, and (7) using roles in discussion designs.     

Understanding and Promoting Complex Learning Using Technology

This paper serves as the introduction to a collection of 8 projects and a commentary seeking to understand and promote complex learning using technology. Selective evidence on the current state of technology for learning in schools is summarized along with numerous recommendations. Key issues associated with the uses of technology to promote complex and active learning are highlighted. It is argued that accessibility and interactivity with the material and other learners are important features which influence the underlying motivational and cognitive processes which affect complex learning using technology. The nature of cooperative learning is briefly summarized emphasizing positive interdependence and individual accountability as means to promote peer interaction. Fourteen learner-centered psychological principles are listed under several headings: cognitive and metacognitive, motivational and affective, developmental and social, and individual difference factors influencing learners and learning. Finally, key issues in the technology integration process are discussed: creating the school vision, taking stock, partnerships, professional development, implementation, and review.     

Differences in students' metacognitive strategy knowledge,motivation, and strategy use: A typology of self-regulated learners

Metacognitive strategy knowledge, motivation, and learning strategies play an important role in self-regulated learning (SRL). However, little is known about different profiles of self-regulated learners in schools that prepare students for the university entrance certificate. The aim of this study was to examine intraindividual differences in the patterns of students' SRL. In this 2-wave longitudinal study, 897 students were involved. Latent class analyses revealed four-cluster solutions at the beginning as well as at the end of the school year. Maximal self-regulated learners with the highest levels on all cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational components of SRL reported the highest grades in the academic subject of German (first language) at both measurement points, followed by motivated and strategic learners. Students with a low level on several SRL components reported the lowest grades. Further, the results indicated changes in profiles of SRL over time.     

Knowledge Building Discourse Explorer: a social network analysis application for knowledge building discourse

In recent studies of learning theories, a new methodology that integrates two prevailing metaphors of learning (acquisition and participation) has been discussed. However, current analytical techniques are insufficient for analyzing how social knowledge develops through learners' discourse and how individual learners contribute to this development. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to analyzing learning from an integrative perspective and present a social network analysis application that uses learner discourse as input data: Knowledge Building Discourse Explorer (KBDeX). To investigate the utility of this approach, discourse data analyzed in a previous study is re-examined through social network analysis supported by KBDeX. Results suggest that social network analysis can qualitatively and quantitatively support the conclusions from the previous study. In addition, social network analysis can reveal potential points that are pivotal for social knowledge advancement in groups, and can identify each individual's contribution to this advancement. On the basis of these results, we discuss how social network analysis could be integrated into existing in-depth discourse analysis.     

自适应学习系统中双向适应交互评价实证研究

随着信息技术的快速发展,网络学习已经成为人们生活中不可或缺的一种学习方式。以实现网络个性化学习为目标的自适应学习系统成为提高网络学习质量的重要研究课题。然而目前大多数自适应学习系统仅具有单向适应能力,即实现了系统根据用户特性适应性向学习者呈现学习资源、过程和策略的功能。尽管这种功能有助于解决学习者认知超载和网络迷航问题,一定程度上提高了学习效率,但学习者在此系统中是一种被动学习,不利于培养学习者自主学习能力和创新能力,也不利于促进学习者对知识的主动建构,还容易使学习者产生惰性。因此,应该充分考虑学习者和系统之间的主客体关系,在自适应学习系统中建立双向适应交互,即用户主动选择资源的适应性交互和系统主动推送资源的自适应交互。双向适应交互最为关键的是用户模型,而认知风格是用户模型中影响学习者个体差异的一个重要元素。从学习效率和使用感受两个层面实证评价双向适应交互性,以及认知风格对其的影响发现:采用自适应学习方式,学习者具有更积极的学习态度,能够取得更好的学习绩效;但认知风格会影响到自适应学习和适应性学习的绩效。     

网络环境下成人英语自主学习模式探析

随着多媒体网络技术的飞速发展和应用,以教师为中心的课堂授课传统模式彻底地转向以学生为中心的新型自主学习模式。教师应通过充分利用多媒体、网络资源,改善成人学习者的学习环境,培养他们利用网络自主学习英语的意识和动机,加强他们对英语学习的训练,逐步让他们养成网络自主学习英语的习惯。     

英语学习中制约自主性学习因素调查与分析

自主学习是一种充分体现学习者个性特点、个体需求和主观能动性的学习方式,其实现受诸多因素制约。学习者由于其个性特点的不同,其自主学习能力也呈现出强弱之分。自主能力较强学生与自主能力较弱学生在许多方面存在明显差异,如认知风格,元认知笈略的使用及责任意识等。教学过程不应仅仅拘泥于知识的传授,而应对学习者在认知风格、学习兴趣、元认知等方面的显性及隐性因素有一定的了解并进行研究,以便进一步开发学习者自主学习的能力。     

Designing innovative learning environments to foster communities of learners for students in initial vocational education

In this study, the concept of ‘community of learners’ was used to improve initial vocational education. The framework of a ‘community of learners for vocational orientation’ that we present offers both a theoretical understanding of teaching–learning processes in initial vocational education and heuristics for the design of innovative learning environments for optimising these processes. In a design research study, we investigated if, and how, learning environments designed on the basis of these heuristics fostered communities of learners for vocational orientation, in which students experience to learn in a shared, meaningful, reflective and transfer-oriented way. We examined students’ perceptions of the learning environment and their learning activities during eight curriculum units specifically designed to foster the communities of learners. During almost all of the units that we designed, students found themselves learning in a more shared, meaningful, reflective and transfer-oriented way than during regular units. We conclude that the proposed heuristics had been useful starting points for the design of innovative learning environments that foster communities of learners for vocational orientation. In addition, we show how the heuristics can be elaborated for a particular school, based on practical and pedagogical content knowledge of teachers, as well as students’ perceptions of the learning environment and their learning activities.     

Exploring a Personal Social Knowledge Network (PSKN) to aid the observation of connectivist interaction for high- and low-performing learners in connectivist massive open online courses

This study adds a new perspective to the observations about connectivist interaction behavior in cMOOCs by extending the notion of network building from the perspective of individuals. We explore the possibility of building a learning network named Personal Social Knowledge Network (PSKN) to support in the monitoring of learning performance and interaction in cMOOCs. The sample in this study included 284 preservice teachers and their learning lasted approximately 12 weeks. Data were primarily gathered by PSKN graphs. The results revealed a correlation between connectivist interaction measured by the PSKN (including density structure) and learning performance. The results also revealed differences in connectivist interaction behavior and patterns, indicated by PSKN (densities and structures), for high- and low-performing learners in cMOOCs. The high-performing learners show deeper knowledge interaction and social communication in addition to simple knowledge sharing and social communication. Additionally, as time passed and the PSKN of high-performing learners extended further, their interaction behavior became more complex and their role had gradually changed from “learning” to “teaching” as well as from knowledge acceptance to knowledge creation in cMOOCs.     

趋同性认知语境与英语阅读教学

作为关联理论的一个重要概念,认知语境强调了听话者在交际中发挥的认知主体作用。在话语理解过程中,交际双方在认知语境上越趋同,交际就越成功。以该理论为基础所引入的趋同性认知语境概念,突显了＂最大化互动-渐进性趋同-最大化相似＂理念,呈现了如何定位英语阅读理解中的词汇、短语、句子及篇章意义及如何在阅读教学中帮助学习者建构趋同性认知语境。     

The development of motivational orientations as a function of divergent reading careers from pre-school to the second grade

In this study, we examined the developmental relationship of children's motivational orientations and reading skills from pre-school to the 2nd grade. Forty-eight children with differing word reading careers were identified from 115 pre-school non-readers. Pre-schoolers were assessed for cognitive–linguistic skills and motivational orientation (ratings on task-, ego-defensive, and social dependence orientation). The situational manifestations of orientations were observed during construction tasks comprising three pressure episodes. The motivational assessments were replicated (experimenter and teacher ratings) and decoding and reading comprehension tests were administered in the 1st and 2nd grades. On the basis of low, average and high pre-school phonemic awareness and word reading achievement in the 1st and 2nd grades, two regressive and two progressive word reading career groups were formed. The results showed that the regressive and the progressive reading career groups of matching initial phonemic awareness and verbal ability did not differ motivationally at pre-school age, but showed distinctive motivational orientation across contexts by the end of the second school year. A case analysis demonstrates the interactive formation of motivational orientation during reading instruction. These findings suggest that the developmental interaction of learning skills and motivational tendencies contribute to the differing reading careers.     

大学生英语自主学习能力调查分析及其培养策略

文章介绍了英语自主学习的研究背景及理论基础;通过调查问卷,分析了大学生英语自主学习现状;针对存在的问题,以建构主义学习理论为基础,提出了大学生英语自主学习能力的培养策略,认为在英语自主学习过程中,从明确教师与学生各自承担的角色、加强学习过程中的协作学习、创设有利英语自主学习的环境、重视英语学习过程的自我评价等四个方面加强对大学生英语自主学习能力的培养。