Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction In Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), curriculum design decisions increasingly occur in technology-saturated environments where platforms, tools, & analytics promise efficiency & innovation. Instructional designers are persistently bombarded with demands by pundits & the EdTech industry to adopt the latest buzzword technology or risk becoming… Continue reading Backward design vs. technology-first adoption, or why EdTech will not save you
Category: Online Learning
Report: The cognitive & pedagogical implications of generative AI in education
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction This report synthesises findings from recent research on the application & impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) in educational settings. The evidence indicates that while LLMs present opportunities for efficiency, their integration poses significant cognitive hazards for learners & complex pedagogical challenges for educators.… Continue reading Report: The cognitive & pedagogical implications of generative AI in education
Making the student writing process transparent: Version control as a practical & pedagogical response to LLM enabled academic misconduct
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction: From policing to process Since the release of ChatGPT to the general public in late 2022, large language models (LLMs) have progressively blurred the lines between authentic student writing & ‘LLM assisted’ writing. Such writing is not entirely the student’s own work & does… Continue reading Making the student writing process transparent: Version control as a practical & pedagogical response to LLM enabled academic misconduct
Ensuring success for adult EFL students
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction In Spain & in many other countries, English language academies play an important role in supplementing the instruction pupils receive in schools. For children & adolescents, academies function largely as after-school “top-up” lessons. Since school-based English classes often amount to only 2-4 hours per… Continue reading Ensuring success for adult EFL students
Making It Stick: Towards more effective vocabulary practice in language learning
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Vocabulary is foundational to language competence. Yet the ways learners practise & internalise new vocabulary often fall short of the complex demands of actual language use. Traditional techniques such as pre-taught vocabulary, memorisation of decontextualised word lists, or single-sentence definitions neglect the fact that… Continue reading Making It Stick: Towards more effective vocabulary practice in language learning
The transformative potential of open educational resources in English language teaching: Benefits for organisations, teachers, & students
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Imagine a world where every English language teacher has free access to a rich library of teaching materials; textbooks, videos, assessments, & interactive tools; without concerns about cost, copyright, or inflexibility. Imagine students worldwide starting their courses fully equipped with engaging, personalised resources tailored… Continue reading The transformative potential of open educational resources in English language teaching: Benefits for organisations, teachers, & students
What does “going FOSS” look like for the average user?
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction “Going FOSS” (using free & open source software) isn’t hypothetical or in the distant future. It’s making practical changes for all of us here & now. You’re definitely already using FOSS whether you’re aware of it or not, e.g. almost all of the internet… Continue reading What does “going FOSS” look like for the average user?
It’s Time to Move on from Emergency Remote Teaching
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Since the COVID-19 lock-downs the ELT industry appears to be equating emergency remote teaching (ERT) with online & distance education. This is highly problematic. ERT was a stop-gap measure, the best that teachers could pull together in a very short time with few resources &… Continue reading It’s Time to Move on from Emergency Remote Teaching
Why do so many students drop out from online courses?
In the transition from presential face-to-face English language learning environments to online, it is not unusual for academies & other providers to experience low rates of student participation & high rates of student drop-out. Why is this & what can be done about it? In the following article, I’ll address some common issues & recommend… Continue reading Why do so many students drop out from online courses?