Disruptive Technologies and the Language Classroom

Although new technologies are embedded in students' lives today, there is often an assumption that their use is transparent, inconsequential, or a distraction. This book combines complex systems theory with sociocultural theory and the multimodal theory of communication, providing an innovative theoretical framework to examine how communication and meaning-making in the language classroom have developed over time, how technology impacts on meaning-making, and what the implications are for learners, teachers, institutions and policy makers. Recent studies provide evidence for the disruptive effect of technology which has resulted in a phase shift that is reshaping language education by creating new interaction patterns, allowing for multimodal communication, and introducing real-world communication into the classroom. The book proposes ways of responding to this shift before concluding that the new technologies are radically transforming the way we learn. It is likely to appeal to arange of readers, including students, academics, teachers and policy-makers.

Deals with the disrupting effects of new technologies on language learning and teaching with a view to improving practice Demonstrates how complex systems theory can be used in conjunction with other theories to elucidate language learning via technology Examines changes in human meaning-making practices over time, culminating in the advances in digital technologies which are changing education today

Autorentext

Regine Hampel is Professor of Open and Distance Language Learning at the Open University, UK.

Klappentext

Although new technologies are embedded in students lives today, there is often an assumption that their use is transparent, inconsequential, or a distraction. This book combines complex systems theory with sociocultural theory and the multimodal theory of communication, providing an innovative theoretical framework to examine how communication and meaning-making in the language classroom have developed over time, how technology impacts on meaning-making, and what the implications are for learners, teachers, institutions and policy makers. Recent studies provide evidence for the disruptive effect of technology which has resulted in a phase shift that is reshaping language education by creating new interaction patterns, allowing for multimodal communication, and introducing real-world communication into the classroom. The book proposes ways of responding to this shift before concluding that the new technologies are radically transforming the way we learn. It is likely to appeal to arange of readers, including students, academics, teachers and policy-makers.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework.- Chapter 3: Human Meaning-Making: Communication Tools, Modes and Epistemic Practices.- Chapter 4: Computer-Mediated Communication in the Language Classroom: Disruptions in Learning and Teaching.- Chapter 5: What If?.- Chapter 6: Implications for Teaching and for Research.- Chapter 7: Conclusion.