Computer Assist. Lang Learning

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

GERM 488/LING 588: Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching As computer-based technologies have taken on an increasingly central role in foreign language instruction, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is no longer a specialty area. Accordingly, this course serves as an introduction to the broader field of CALL and various techno-pedagogical applications that fall under this umbrella. Students will understand the growth of CALL in foreign language (L2) instruction, examine the pedagogical rationale for utilizing CALL, and evaluate various applications for L2 instruction. In addition to critical examination of learning technologies, students will develop their own abilities to utilize and apply technologies relevant to L2 instruction. There will be three major course assignments, and they will be showcased on a jointly-constructed class website: 1) Research brief: Students will select, read and summarize one article/chapter from a scholarly publication (i.e., journal or edited volume). These text-based summaries should also address the articles’ contributions to the growth of CALL as a field of scholarship. 2) Technology review: Students will select and evaluate one particular technology or application that can be used to foster language development. The technology reviews will be delivered using a non-text-based multimedia platform (e.g., video, podcast, etc.). 3) Teaching unit: In the context of a particular L2 curriculum, students will design a teaching unit that incorporates CALL in an integral way. In all cases, the course will emphasize the primacy of sound pedagogy when using CALL for L2 instruction.