NETWORKED COMMUNITIES: How does the networked world we live in affect our approach to the teaching of languages and communication?

Added value:

Digitalization provides many opportunities for students to take charge of their own language learning and to continue to develop their skills even after graduation (life-long learning) [1], [2].
The use of digital tools provides new forms of community, makes building global learning communities easier and brings the outside world into the learning situation [1], [3], [4].
In digital learning environments, students learn by interacting in different forms [1], [4]
Using digital tools can increase student motivation and lead to deeper learning by strengthening peer review, peer learning and peer feedback processes [2], [3], [4], [5]
For many students, it may be great fun to use many digital technologies and communicate with people in far away places. For example, incorporating the use of social media in a course can foster a community of learning practice, provide more opportunities for communication and bring fun and enjoyment to learning [4], [6]. Enjoyment is associated with deeper learning [7].
Digitalization can provide more opportunities for collaborative learning, which may lead to production of new knowledge [8]. Student involvement in collaborative learning is often more equally distributed in online environments [9].
Networked communities provide opportunities to interact in real-world situations in different environments. Engaging learning environments boost student motivation [2], [4].
Collaboration and communication through digital means corresponds to 21^st century working life skills [10]
Interacting in global networks fosters intercultural communication skills

Costs:

Assessment needs to focus on the quality of interaction, not simply on action (i.e. completing tasks)
Digitalizing teaching requires investment in time and planning to be pedagogically relevant and functional
Collaboration needs time and teamwork skills, as well as project management and conflict resolution skills.

References

[1] D. Grabbe, I. Elgort & P. Gu “Autonomy in Networked World,” Innovations in Language Learning and Teaching 7(3), 193-197, 2013.

[2] T. Vander Ark and Getting Smart (2015, Nov 6). The Shift to Digital Learning: 10 Benefits [online]. Available: http://www.gettingsmart.com/2015/11/the-shift-to-digital-learning-10-benefits/

[3] MIT Open Learning (2018). Value of Digital Learning [online]. Available: http://openlearning.mit.edu/value-digital-learning

[4] A. Nike & P. Trena ”Using as social networking site for experiential learning: appropriating, lurking, modeling and community building,” Internet and Higher Education 13(2010) 188-196.

[5] M. Kuuskorpi, T. Kuuskorpi, K. Sipilä, J. Heikkinen, and R. Tamminen, ”Oppimismotivaation muutokset opetustila- ja oppimateriaaliuudistusten yhteydessä,” in Digitaalinen oppiminen ja oppimisympäristöt, M. Kuuskorpi, Ed. Opetushallituksen tuella Kaarinan kaupunki ja kirjoittajat. Tampere: Juvenes Print – Suomen Yliopistopaino Oy, 2015, pp. 107-108.

[6] S. Warren and J. Wakefiled (2013) “Learning and teaching as communicative actions: Social media as Education Tool”, pp. 98-113 in Kyeung-Je Seo (ed.) Using Social Media Effectively in the Classroom: Blogs, Wikis, Twitter and More. Routledge.

[7] A.R. Artino & K.D. Jones II “Exploring the complex relations between achievement emotions and self-regulated learning behaviors in online learning,“ Internet and Higher Education 15: 170-175, 2012

[8] C. Zhu, “Student satisfaction, Performance, and knowledge construction in online collaborative learning,” Educational Technology & Society, 15(1), 127-136, 2013.

[9] A. Young, “Structuring asynchronous discussions to incorporate learning principles in an online class: One professor’s course analysis,” MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 4(2), 218–224, 2008.

[10] J. Voogt, O. Erstrad, C. Dede, P. Mishra, “Challenges to learning and schooling in the digital networked world of the 21st century,” Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (2013), 29, 403-413.