Moodle

This study explored the autonomy of advanced English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in reading comprehension through scaffolding and jigsaw in computer-assisted and conventional contexts. After being homogenized through the reading section of DIALANG proficiency test, a total of 80 female advanced EFL learners with the age range of 21 to 45 were selected as the participants of the study. They were randomly assigned to four groups: experimental group A (scaffolding in a conventional context), experimental group B (scaffolding in a computer-assisted context), experimental group C (jigsaw in a conventional context), and experimental group D (jigsaw in a computer-assisted context). Next, the autonomy in RC questionnaire, which was designed and piloted by Ebadi and Shirzad (in press), was administered as the pretest. Then, the learners in each group took part in three months (16 sessions) autonomy in reading comprehension training courses. After the treatment, the same autonomy in RC questionnaire was administered as the posttest. One-way ANCOVA was used to analyze the quantitative data. The results revealed that although both jigsaw and scaffolding approaches were successful in both conventional and computer assisted contexts from pre-test to post-test, the scaffolding method proved more effective. Moreover, both the scaffolding and jigsaw approaches were more effective in computer-assisted environment compared to conventional contexts, with the scaffolding CA approach outperforming the jigsaw CA technique. The findings’ implications for learners, teachers, and syllabus designers are discussed in both contexts.

Enhancing speaking ability is an important component of the acquirement of a language. The innovative aspect of this study is improving speaking ability through online strategy-based instruction by applying the Moodle course management system as an instructional platform. To this end, a group of 80 Iranian female and male students at the advanced level participated in the treatment. Participants of the study were divided into four groups of 20. The subjects in experimental groups benefited from two particular instructional focuses of this study include social and affective strategies. In order to assess the effect of the treatment pre and posttests design were utilized. Consequently, the data were analyzed through One-Way ANOVAs and t-tests. The findings revealed that strategy treatment was successful in improving the participants’ speaking ability. Therefore, the findings suggest that online strategy-based instruction can positively influence the speaking ability of Iranian advanced EFL learners. In addition, a questionnaire from Kitchakarn (2015) was employed to understand students’ perceptions and attitudes toward computer-based learning. The statistical analysis of the questionnaire revealed positive attitudes of participants toward computer-based learning.This study may have pedagogical implications for material practitioners, CALL package designers and distance learning planners to include strategy instruction in English courses.

L’apprentissage du vocabulaire est une tâche de longue haleine, mais nécessaire à la pratique aisée d’une langue. Ce processus pourrait être facilité par la gamification, qui a pour but d’augmenter la motivation envers l’accomplissement de diverses tâches parfois désagréables, et dont une variante accessible est l’utilisation des jeux numériques en ligne. Afin d’étudier la conception des étudiants iraniens envers les jeux numériques en général, l’utilisation de la gamification dans l’enseignement du vocabulaire en particulier, et les éventuels problèmes rencontrés, la plateforme d’enseignement virtuel de l’université de Téhéran (Elearn), basée sur le système MOODLE, a été utilisée. Le vocabulaire correspondant à quatre thèmes différents a été implémenté dans cinq jeux disponibles sur la plateforme qui ont été ensuite incorporés à un cours en licence. Après avoir joué à ces jeux, 14 étudiants ont complété un questionnaire et pris part à un entretien. L’analyse statistique du questionnaire a montré une corrélation significative entre trois variables de perception de facilité, de perception d’utilité et d’intention comportementale d’utilisation avec le niveau de français et l’habitude à jouer. Les étudiants rapportent des ressentis positifs de l’expérience et la majorité soutient l’utilité de la gamification pour l’apprentissage du vocabulaire. Cependant, un moindre pourcentage (35.7%) affirme avoir l’intention de répéter l’expérience. En conclusion, l’introduction des jeux numériques de la plateforme MOODLE est envisageable dans l’enseignement du vocabulaire. Il faudrait pourtant adapter les jeux, en fonction des avis et des propositions des étudiants, surtout concernant les questions, le vocabulaire utilisé, et le niveau de français.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of a gamification-enhanced language classroom within the context of Moodle in promoting extrinsic and intrinsic motivational attributes of language learners. A total of 220 language learners from different universities in Iran were recruited as the participants and randomly assigned to the gamification-enhanced (n= 114) and control groups (n= 106). Over the eight weeks of treatment, the experimental group members were taught using various gamified tasks and activities through the gamified Moodle LMS. A motivational orientation scale was administered before and after the intervention. The results of ANCOVAs demonstrated a significant boost in the extrinsic motivation of language learners, including external, introjected, and identified regulation. Furthermore, the study confirmed that the integration of gamification has resulted in a higher level of intrinsic motivation for the participants in the areas of knowledge, accomplishment, and stimulation. The relevant pedagogical implications and directions for future studies are discussed.