Australasian Journal of Educational Technology

<span>This paper describes how activity theory (AT) and its principle of contradictions may be relied on to guide research in educational technology. The paper begins with a theoretical overview of AT and of its principle of contradictions. It follows with a synthesis of studies that have used AT as a lens to study information and communication technologies (ICTs) in educational contexts. We analyse educational technology studies that have focused on contradictions in terms of their underlying assumptions, research questions, approaches to analysis, findings, and implications. The lens of AT and contradictions provides a versatile tool to inquire into various aspects of educational technology use, taking into account individual and institutional perspectives as well as evolution over time. AT and its principle of contradictions provide insights into how transformation may occur with use of ICTs in educational contexts.</span>

This study examined the under-researched relationship between informal digital learning of English (IDLE) activities (receptive IDLE activities and productive IDLE activities), affective variables (grit, motivation, self-confidence and second language speaking anxiety) and willingness to communicate in a second language. Data (N = 183) were collected through a questionnaire from one state university in an English-as-a-foreign-language Indonesian context. The results showed that students’ willingness to communicate correlated significantly with all of the IDLE activities and affective variables. However, only productive IDLE activities, grit, self-confidence, and motivation were identified as the significant predictors of students’ willingness to communicate. Findings suggest that students’ IDLE engagement and affective states play a significant role in a second language communication. In particular, pedagogical benefits of affective variables (e.g., grit, self-confidence, and motivation) and productive IDLE activities should be emphasised to facilitate students’ willingness to communicate in a second language. These results will broaden current knowledge of IDLE and second language communication behaviour, which can contribute to bridging the interdisciplinary gap between computer assisted language learning, second language acquisition, and psychology.

<span>Over 400 e-learning grant applications from Australian primary schools were analysed to determine the nature of the proposed ICT based projects in literacy and numeracy. Three key dimensions emerged from the teacher descriptions: ICT infrastructure, motivation and ICT use, and pedagogy and innovation. The three dimensions, and the interactions between them, provide a means for understanding the complex factors within an individual school that determine the nature of ICT use and the potential for innovation. Several types, or levels, were identified within each dimension, together forming a framework that can be applied as both a research tool and a model for describing in detail the current status of ICT use in a school.</span>

<span>Much of what is regarded as effective professional learning is that which is situated, incorporates a social dimension and enables practitioners to converge in and around authentic practice. This article describes an inter-university online learning resource for tutors which is underpinned by a practice based approach to professional learning. The emphasis is on seeing authentic, discipline specific practice via a large bank of multimedia clips of experienced tutors and reflection on that action through the incorporation of reflective triggers. Evaluation suggests a fruitful way forward for supporting learning at work.</span>

With growing knowledge about the effectiveness of collaborative or team-based learning in developing important skill sets among students, the development of collaborative and active learning space (CALS) classrooms has gained increasing momentum in recent years. However, there currently exists a paucity of research evaluating the impact of these CALS projects, especially from the perspective of the staff within the institutions that implement them. In view of this gap, this study, using secondary data, reports an institutional evaluation of a CALS project from the teachers’ perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative results suggest that overall, the CALS project was positively viewed by the teachers. Nonetheless, challenges were also revealed such as, classroom settings, digital infrastructure, and technical support. The findings suggest that instead of viewing digital technology as a panacea, the implementation of a CALS project should be regarded as a systematic project, which involves stakeholders across an educational institution, including administrative staff, teaching staff, support staff, and students.

<span>This study reports on creative ways of using technology in the classroom, specifically the development of multimedia courseware on World Heritage through which learners are able to upgrade their knowledge and cognition regarding historical and cultural legacies from the past, and to improve English skills. The content of the pilot courseware included introductory texts about ten famous World Heritage sites combined with integrative English learning skills: reading, listening, speaking, writing and translation. An online evaluation system with an instant self-checking function was created to allow learners to examine work for themselves immediately and understand their learning progress and achievements. The courseware design was based on Mayer's multimedia learning cognitive theory, and the language learning focus drew on Chapelle's suggested criteria for development of multimedia, computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The courseware has been tried and used by two groups of students: sophomore and junior students of English as a foreign language (EFL) in a technical university in Taiwan. Initial evaluations suggest that students were satisfied with learning through courseware integration and their vocabulary comprehension was significantly improved. Junior students with higher English proficiency became more focused on practices of English skills and related learning activities, also also more satisfied with the content and design of the courseware.</span>