Researching and evaluating bilingual and immersion education

Dr Stephen Bax (CRELLA)

12 May 2010

Many countries around the world are now attempting to teach content subjects such as maths and science through English, in what are known as bilingual or immersion programmes. This talk will discuss a recent research project evaluating the effectiveness of such programmes in Thailand, Indonesia and Korea. It will consider the research methods appropriate to such an evaluation, and will then discuss the different ways in which each country approaches bilingual and immersion programmes, as well as the key factors which appear to influence the success of such programmes.

On being present – and learning – in Second Life

Dr Alejandro Armellini, Senior Learning Designer, Beyond Distance Research Alliance, University of Leicester 

10 March 2010 

This research talk considered how social, teaching and cognitive presences, as defined by Garrison and Anderson (2003), may be created and identified in the Second Life (SL) 3D multi-user environment in Higher Education (HE). Using research data from in-world sessions in different disciplines, we map the criteria associated with each of the three presences against the learners’ and facilitators’ use of text, audio, visuals and in-world avatar behaviour. The talk will conclude with discussion of the work of 'The Beyond Distance Research Alliance' at the University of Leicester, which provides the evidence to bring innovation in learning technology and learning design into the mainstream, research to practice. The talk will be of interest to anyone who might wish to use Second Life in an educational environment, as part of a face-to-face course or as part of distance education.

Research talk and workshop: Researching and using technology in Language Education

Dr Stephen Bax (CRELLA)

24 February 2010

This talk discussed approaches to researching the use of technology in language education, starting with discussion of a developing theoretical framework for evaluating and understanding the use of technology in language education, and then evaluating examples of computer software and internet resources for language education, including wikis and Hot Potatoes software, in the light of this framework.

Sarojinik Krishnan (CRELLA)

20 January 2010

Sarojinik Krishnan, one of our PhD students then spoke about her research project "Modelling Academic Reading" with UK undergraduates.