Abstrakti
This thesis describes the process of developing and testing a prototype of a mobile application aimed at English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, as well as English for Specific Purposes / Business English learners. It is a prototype of an online collaborative platform that allows the sharing and mapping of audiovisual content. This mapping also allows for the search of content on the same platform, to use in-class or in informal contexts.
In this work the following steps are depicted: i. the identification of the variables included in the Matrix, which supports mapping and searching tasks, ii. how this Matrix was incorporated into a Google © Form, to be tested by an expert panel, iii. the selection of the tools used to build the high-fidelity prototype, and iv. how this prototype was tested and evaluated by a sample of target users.
In terms of methodology, this project is a development-research work, in which four different phases were outlined: i. the construction of the Matrix – through an exploratory study of the literature, as well as language learning platforms and software; ii. the validation of the Matrix by an experts panel; iii. the incorporation of the Matrix into a prototype – using prototyping freeware online tools; iv. the experimental use of the prototype by target users. With the data gathered in the latter, the potential of implementing such a platform was evaluated.
The results of the prototype trial show that, on a behavioral level, this type of platform has the potential to change the habits of searching for audiovisual content by both user groups; regarding the tasks, they are intuitive and simple to perform; on a conceptual level, the platform was validated as tool to support the teaching and learning process; the functions of social interaction tools were also validated. However, the planned gamification functions still need some review.
A platform of this nature can be a useful instrument to other TESOL branches (such as General English). It can generate the development of mechanisms of artificial intelligence for automatic mapping of audiovisual content and the underlying rationale can be transferred to other foreign languages.
In this work the following steps are depicted: i. the identification of the variables included in the Matrix, which supports mapping and searching tasks, ii. how this Matrix was incorporated into a Google © Form, to be tested by an expert panel, iii. the selection of the tools used to build the high-fidelity prototype, and iv. how this prototype was tested and evaluated by a sample of target users.
In terms of methodology, this project is a development-research work, in which four different phases were outlined: i. the construction of the Matrix – through an exploratory study of the literature, as well as language learning platforms and software; ii. the validation of the Matrix by an experts panel; iii. the incorporation of the Matrix into a prototype – using prototyping freeware online tools; iv. the experimental use of the prototype by target users. With the data gathered in the latter, the potential of implementing such a platform was evaluated.
The results of the prototype trial show that, on a behavioral level, this type of platform has the potential to change the habits of searching for audiovisual content by both user groups; regarding the tasks, they are intuitive and simple to perform; on a conceptual level, the platform was validated as tool to support the teaching and learning process; the functions of social interaction tools were also validated. However, the planned gamification functions still need some review.
A platform of this nature can be a useful instrument to other TESOL branches (such as General English). It can generate the development of mechanisms of artificial intelligence for automatic mapping of audiovisual content and the underlying rationale can be transferred to other foreign languages.
| Alkuperäiskieli | englanti |
|---|---|
| Myöntävä instituutio |
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| Valvoja/neuvonantaja |
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| Myöntöpäivämäärä | 26 toukok. 2020 |
| Tila | Julkaistu - toukok. 2020 |
| Julkaistu ulkoisesti | Kyllä |
| OKM-julkaisutyyppi | G4 Tohtorinväitöskirja (monografia) |
Lisätietoja
I am language teacher with multilingual skills and a passionate researcher foreign languages teaching/learning. I firmly believe that watching TV and films in English are great auxiliary learning aids. As a researcher, I am developing an online tool to help EFL teachers and learners choose the audiovisual contents that suit their teaching/learning needs.Tieteenalat
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