Bringing Interactive Learning to UTHM: Teachers’ Perspectives on Selected Interactive Tools for Language Classrooms

DwEE CHIEW YENKAMARUL AZAM BIN KAMARUL AZMI

AKEPT SoTL

18 November 2015

Interactive Learning and Online Interactive Tools Interactive learning => “students are

active participants in the learning process” (p.91).

Sessoms (2008)

Interactive Tools => refers to any applications or software online that are able to FACILITATE the interactive teaching and learning process.

What is the significance of this study? The success of an interactive lecture

largely depends on how interactive tools are integrated effectively into the lesson

Based on literature review on the use of interactive learning tools (Brady, Holcomb and Smith, 2010; Bosch, 2009; Kim and Bonk, 2006), there is a need for in-depth qualitative data to explain why lecturers or teachers prefer using certain interactive tools over others and how they employ those tools in a language classroom setting to engage learners

Research Questions

What are the preferred interactive tools of UTHM language teachers and why?

What are some of the features which language teachers think should be included in an interactive tool?

What are the challenges of integrating Interactive tools in a language classroom?

Sample

Convenience sampling (UTHM language teachers)

10 participants-language lecturers/language teachers

Range teaching experience: 2 - 23 years

Methodology

Interactive Tools introduced during the workshop

Results right after the WS

Preferred interactive tools

Interactive Tools

Padlet

‘easy to use’

‘it’s useful for writing activities’

‘easy, good for discussion’

‘the students can participate and get involved more in the lesson by giving comments, having discussions, sharing videos and pictures’

‘check students’ writing’ and ‘class discussions’.

Todaysmeet

‘students are keen in using social network and Whatsapp. So this suits them well’

‘prompt responses from all students at the same time’

‘ask students to give comments or suggestions on a topic’

‘quickly check students’ understanding on a topic by posting a question’

Blendspace

‘interactive online storage useful for teaching and learning’

‘It is FREE and looks pretty easy to create rich multimedia lessons. In addition, I can collect and organize all my resources in one place and share them with a single link’

Edynco

‘I’m a visual person’

‘as lecture notes and for students to create notes’

Result after one semester

Only two out of ten tried out the interactive tools introduced in the workshop.

Blendspace and Padlet.

Reason : Convenience (easy to drag), (brainstorming).

6 out of 10 used Edmodo

Reason : Familiar with the tool, layout similar to Facebook.

Another participant used Google Drive and Facebook, and another used Schoology.

Reason : Easy to communicate and collect learning evidence.

Similar to FB.

Preferred features in an interactive toolPreferred Interactive Tool Features Reasons

Quizzes and tests To evaluate studentsLanguage games Students can have fun while doing

‘side’ language practice on their ownRecording functions (audio and

visual)Students will be able to record their language usage and allow their friends, lecturers and even themselves to evaluate

Feedback function Students will be able to post responses and teachers will be respond to them

Offline Access Software/tools can be downloaded and used offline so that lessons can go on as usual even with weak Internet connectivity/no internet connection

User-friendly settings Easy to navigate and use. One tool integrated with many

useful features tailored to the course needs

No need to use different platforms for different kinds of activities

Platform for Discussion Students and teachers can conduct a virtual discussion on a certain topic

Resource recommendations Students are able to explore learning resources independently

Challenges in the Application of Interactive tools in the classroom Poor infrastructure

‘Wifi connection itself is sometimes very poor’

‘Not all students afford to have a laptop of their own. Well, they may have smartphones for them to use. However, the display is small and I find that it is inconvenient for students to read materials from their phone’

‘Language lab is fully booked, I have to swap the classes with the teachers and sometimes they refused. I have tried to do it in class, it took a very long time to complete a simple activity due to poor coverage especially if I wanted to do quiz or written exercises. So back to paper & pencil, mahjong papers, etc’

Challenges in the Application of Interactive tools in the classroom Lack of Confidence

‘Lack of knowledge on how to apply it (interactive tools) that makes them less motivated to use it’

‘I am not very used and experienced in using IL. I'll learn later. I really want to!’

Challenges in the Application of Interactive tools in the classroom Comfort zone

‘I am comfortable using the conventional methods of teaching’

‘Our comfort and confidence with our core strength, teaching face-to-face’

Challenges in the Application of Interactive tools in the classroomTime Constraints

‘Limited time to upload materials and to check on students' work’

‘It takes more time to create materials for IL. Surely the materials should be interesting, updated and interactive for the students’

‘I would love to try all (interactive tools) but still finding time to explore before starting to use them since I am not that technology-literate’

‘No time to explore’

Challenges in the Application of Interactive tools in the classroom Quality of Discussion

‘‘I would think the quality of discussion is poor and (interactive tool) is used as a means to report in, rather than free flow of well thought ideas. In most cases the discussion becomes too loose and drawn out – doesn’t reflect maturity or critical thinking in place’

Concluding thoughts

It doesn’t matter what tool you use, just make sure teaching and learning occur in a meaningful way.

Each interactive tool has its respective strengths and weaknesses. Teachers should be given enough time to explore, experiment and determine what works best for them.

Need to train educators on how to use new tools as well as provide support in terms of content development.