Exploring the Affordances of Telepresence Robots in Foreign Language Learning

Autor/inn/en	Liao, Jian; Lu, Xiaofei
Titel	Exploring the Affordances of Telepresence Robots in Foreign Language Learning
Quelle	In: Language Learning & Technology, 22 (2018) 3, S.20-32 (13 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1094-3501
Schlagwörter	Robotics; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Video Technology; Computer Simulation; Native Speakers; Computer Mediated Communication; Student Attitudes; Distance Education; Learning Strategies; Chinese; Native Language; Overseas Employment; Adult Students; Learning Experience; Positive Attitudes + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Robotertechnik; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Computergrafik; Computersimulation; Muttersprachler; Computerkonferenz; Schülerverhalten; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Learning methode; Learning techniques; Lernmethode; Lernstrategie; China; Chinesen; Auslandstätigkeit; Adult; Adults; Student; Students; Erwachsenenalter; Studentin; Schüler; Schülerin; Lernerfahrung
Abstract	The importance of authentic communicative practices in foreign language (FL) learning has long been recognized. However, most FL learners lack adequate access to authentic communicative environments in the target language. In this article, we propose the use of telepresence robots as a potential solution to bridge this gap. Telepresence robots can be controlled by remote language learners online, enabling them to gain virtual access to authentic environments in the target language and to interact with native speakers in those environments in real time. In this exploratory study, three English learners and a native-speaker of American English participated in a campus tour activity using a telepresence robot. We examined the experience of our participants and the conversational features of their telepresence interactions through analyses of the interview data, field notes, and transcripts of conversations captured on video. Our findings show that telepresence robots have substantial potential for promoting FL learning by providing authentic communicative practice for remote language learners. The findings have useful implications for informing future research design. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	University of Hawaii National Foreign Language Resource Center. 1859 East-West Road #106, Honolulu, HI 96822. Tel: 808-956-9424; Fax: 808-956-5983; e-mail: llt@hawaii.edu; Web site: http://llt.msu.edu
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01