Handley, Zoe Louise orcid.org/0000-0002-4732-3443 (Accepted: 2014) Constructing an evidence-base for future CALL design with ‘engineering power’:The need for more basic research and instrumental replication. EUROCALL Review. ISSN 1695-2618 (In Press)
Abstract
This paper argues that the goal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) research should be to construct a reliable evidence-base with ‘engineering power’ and generality upon which the design of future CALL software and activities can be based. In order to establish such an evidence base for future CALL design, it suggests that CALL research needs to move away from CALL versus non-CALL comparisons, and focus on investigating the differential impact of the individual attributes and affordances, that is specific features of a technology which might have an impact on learning. Further, in order to help researchers find possible explanations for the success or failure of CALL interventions and make appropriate adjustments to their design, it argues that these studies should be conducted within the framework of second language acquisition (SLA) theory and research. Despite this, a recent review of research examining the effectiveness of CALL in primary and secondary English as a Foreign Language (EFL) found that CALL vs. non-CALL comparisons are still common and studies focusing on individual coding elements are rare. Further, few studies make links with SLA and few measure linguistic outcomes using measures developed in the field of SLA. One reason for this may be poor reporting of methods and difficulty in obtaining the instruments used in SLA research. Reporting guidelines and the use of the IRIS database (www.iris-databse.org) are introduced as possible solutions to these problems.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | research methdos,basic research,second language acquisition,replication,instruments |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Education (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 05 Feb 2015 11:00 |
Last Modified: | 08 Dec 2024 00:09 |
Status: | In Press |
Refereed: | Yes |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:83297 |
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Description: Handley (2014) Constructing an evidence-base for future CALL design with ‘engineering power’ The need for more basic research and instrumental replication. EUROCALL Review, 22