The Use of Computer-Based Instruction in Foreign Language Teaching: An Ethnographically - Oriented Study (Naturalistic, Evaluation, Policy, Comparative, Ethnology)

Using ethnographic methods, this study examines the relationship between state, district, and school policies on computer-based instruction and the actual teaching practices of foreign language instructors. Four language teachers from two large high schools in the suburbs of Chicago agreed to participate in the study. By studying two schools with similar populations it was possible to compare the schools in terms of their written and unwritten policies and the resulting use of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI). Data were gathered through observations in both regular classrooms and microcomputer laboratories, interviews with teachers and school and district administrators, and through interviews with twenty-six students from the foreign language classes observed. While the study was non-interventive and did not test specific hypotheses, observations and interviews were guided by certain "foreshadowed" questions. These questions were derived from a review of naturalistic studies of computer-based instruction.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Blomeyer, Robert Louis, Jr.

• Education, Technology of

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8521724

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/68986