درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

In this chapter I review principles and practical aspects of language assessment in foreign language (FL) learning, more specifically with a focus on Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and other contexts in which computers are used as a means for distance learning and for language assessment (Computer-Aided Assessment - CAA). Assessment constitutes an essential dimension of learning experiences and it is an aspect of most formal processes of language teaching and learning. Language assessment may involve language testing, as well as other procedures and instruments such as observations, performance tasks, portfolios and self-evaluation, and by combining information from various sources of assessment one is able to obtain more valid and reliable results. I draw on the literature on CALL and on language assessment, and on data collected within the scope of the Teletandem Brazil Project: foreign languages for all (henceforth TBP), to support my position on principles that may or may not characterize language assessment in the context of teletandem interactions. CAA is defined as any type of activity in which computers are used to support a process of assessment apart from and beyond their simple function to store and transmit information. CAA helps faster assessment, increases the quality and quantity of information detected, and maximizes the provision of feedback about language assessment processes. In the TBP project, undergraduate students from a Brazilian university interacted with students from universities abroad, by means of computer programmes for synchronous communication, microphones and webcams. Besides the claims about CALL from the literature, I make reference to teletandem interactions in both EFL and Portuguese as a foreign language, considering occasions in which teletandem agents evaluate each other linguistic performances. I also analyse a questionnaire for evaluation in teletandem, which does not focus on language assessment but rather on the experience of interacting in the teletandem context and on the tools used for communication. No clear distinctions were found to exist between CAA and more traditional procedures for language assessment. Principles for CAA seem to combine traditional bases for language assessment and testing with a number of pedagogical principles that underpin distance learning.

Learning musical instruments has been rapidly popular during the past decades. However, it is faced with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and lockdowns, which limit face-to-face music lectures. This research aims to design and develop an online instructional system named Nuance for learning musical instruments. The system performance is tested and analyzed to study the impact of the proposed system on cognitive and practical learning skills for a Persian musical instrument named Setar. This study uses a "quasi-experimental research" method for a population of 900 Setar elementary students in Sanandaj city during the 2021-2022 academic year. A convenience sampling method is used to form two homogenous groups, including control and experimental, each with 15 learners. The experimental group uses the Nuance system, while the control group receives online videos. The Shapiro-Wilk test is used to test the data normality, while one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests are used to analyze data and study the performance of the proposed system. The results show a significant difference between both the groups and support that the proposed system has a better performance for cognitive and practical music learning skills than the standard online system (P <0.05).

The landscape of education has been revolutionized by the rapid advancements in digital technology, presenting both opportunities and challenges for educators and learners. In this context, the integration of technology into teaching and learning is no longer sufficient; educators must also embrace the power of networked learning to foster knowledge construction in a connected world. This expository article introduces the innovative framework of Connective TPACK, which seamlessly combines technology, pedagogy, content knowledge, and networked learning. By exploring the key elements of Connective TPACK and its implications for education, this article aims to empower educators and learners in navigating the networked environment and constructing knowledge collaboratively. From fostering connections and collaboration to nurturing a culture of self-directed learning, the Connective TPACK Framework paves the way for authentic, global, and learner-centered education. Embracing this holistic approach enables educators to leverage technology and networked learning effectively, preparing learners to thrive in the interconnected world with confidence and agency.