Using Technology to Support English Language Learners in Higher Education: A Study of Voxy's Effect on English Language Proficiency

Autor/inn/en	Faria, Ann-Marie; Bergey, Rebecca; Baird, Ashley Simpson; Lishinski, Alex
Institution	American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Titel	Using Technology to Support English Language Learners in Higher Education: A Study of Voxy's Effect on English Language Proficiency
Quelle	(2019), (25 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Educational Technology; English Language Learners; Higher Education; Language Proficiency; Computer Oriented Programs; Handheld Devices; Outcomes of Education; Community Colleges; Two Year College Students; Computer Assisted Instruction; Instructional Effectiveness; Language Laboratories; Achievement Gains + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Unterrichtsmedien; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Language skill; Language skills; Sprachkompetenz; Computerprogramm; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg; Community college; Community College; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht; Unterrichtserfolg; Language laboratory; Sprachlabor; Achievement gain; Leistungssteigerung
Abstract	Although English language learners (ELLs) have an increasing presence in postsecondary education, their unique needs are often unmet by institutions of higher education, partly resulting from their diversity--they vary in their educational backgrounds, English proficiency levels, career goals, and reasons for learning English. Many ELLs spend valuable time and money on remedial courses that do not meet their educational needs, which makes them less likely to persist in their coursework or enter a degree track. Technology-mediated English language instruction may be a solution to the pressing challenges that postsecondary institutions face in providing personalized instruction to ELLs, because it allows instruction to be tailored to an individual's English proficiency, academic needs, and professional interests. This study specifically tested the efficacy of one such educational technology--Voxy, a web- and mobile-based application--for improving ELLs' English language proficiency. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to understand whether access to Voxy's online platform as part of the regular coursework in a community college language laboratory improved ELLs' English language acquisition after one semester. The two primary research questions were these: (1) Does access to Voxy's web and mobile platforms increase ELLs' English language proficiency after one semester?; and (2) How is student use of the Voxy platform related to English language proficiency? After one semester of use: (1) Students with access to Voxy had larger English language gains than their peers in the comparison group; and (2) Platform usage was lower than recommended, but students consistently used Voxy outside of regular lab times. Findings provide promising evidence that Voxy can support English language learning in community college language labs. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Institutes for Research. 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, DC 20007. Tel: 202-403-5000; Fax: 202-403-5001; e-mail: inquiry@air.org; Web site: http://www.air.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01