Foreign Language Web-Based Learning by Means of Audiovisual Interactive Activities
- 1 Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
- 2 Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
- 3 Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
- 4 Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
- 5 Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
Abstract
Online learning has been on an upward trend for many years and is becoming more and more prevalent every day, consistently presenting the less privileged parts of our society with an equal opportunity at education. Unfortunately, though, it seldom takes advantage of the new technologies and capabilities offered by the modern World Wide Web. In this article, we present an interactive online platform that provides users with learning activities for students of English as a foreign language. The platform focuses on using audiovisual multimedia content and a user experience (UX) centered approach to provide learners with an enhanced learning experience that aims at improving their knowledge level while at the same time increasing their engagement and motivation to participate in learning. To achieve this, the platform uses advanced techniques, such as interactive vocabulary and pronunciation assistance, mini-games, embedded media, voice recording, and more. In addition, the platform provides educators with analytics about user engagement and performance. In this study, more than 100 young students participated in a preliminary use of the aforementioned platform and provided feedback concerning their experience. Both the platform’s metrics and the user-provided feedback indicated increased engagement and a preference of the participants for interactive audiovisual multimedia-based learning activities.
- Pardanjac, M., Radosav, D. and Jokic, S. (2009) Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning. MIPRO 2009 32nd International Convention Proceedings: Computers in Education, Opatija, Croatia, 25-29 May 2009.
- Harting, K. and Erthal, M. (2005) History of Distance Learning. Information Technology, Learning and Performance Journal, 23, 35-44.
- Ziden, A. and Rahman, M. (2013) The Effectiveness of Web-Based Multimedia Applications Simulation in Teaching and Learning. International Journal of Instruction, 6, 211-222.
- Emmerich, R.D.W. and Devlin, D.W. (1996) Independence Day [Motion Picture]. Twentieth Century Fox, USA.
- Holmberg, B. (2005) The Evolution, Principles and Practices of Distance Education. Bis, Bibliotheks-und Informationssystem der Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg.
- Provenzo, E.F. (1986) Teachers and Machines: The Classroom Use of Technology since 1920 by Larry Cuban. History of Education Quarterly, 26, 647-648. https://doi.org/10.2307/369036
- Radford, A. (2011) Learning at a Distance: Undergraduate Enrollment in Distance Education Courses and Degree Programs. Stats in Brief US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, USA, 1-22.
- Dewar, J.A. (2000) The Information Age and the Printing Press: Looking Backward to See Ahead. Ubiquity, 2000, Article No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1145/347634.348784
- Akram, S. and Khatoon Malik, D.S. (2012) Use of Audio Visual Aids for Effective Teaching of Biology at Secondary Schools Level. Elixir Leadership Management, 50, 10597-10605.
- Kalliris, G., et al. (2014) Emotional Aspects and Quality of Experience for Multifactor Evaluation of Audiovisual Content. International Journal of Monitoring and Surveillance Technologies Research, 2, 40-61. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJMSTR.2014100103
- Mathew, N. and Alidmat, A. (2013) A Study on the Usefulness of Audio-Visual Aids in EFL Classroom: Implications for Effective Instruction. International Journal of Higher Education, 2, 86-92. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v2n2p86
- Rasul, S., Bukhsh, Q. and Batool, S. (2011) A Study to Analyze the Effectiveness of Audio Visual Aids in Teaching Learning Process at Uvniversity Level. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 28, 78-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.016
- Sevastiadis, C., et al. (2001) Development of a Distance-Learning Environment, Using Database Driven Dynamic Web Pages. Application for Digital Audio Internet Courses, 110th Audio Engineering Society Convention, Amsterdam, NL, 12-15 May 2001.