Authors: Francois Victor Tochon, A. Cendel Karaman, Celile Eren Ökten

June 2013, 34 pp.

Abstract: This paper focuses on creating an instructional hyper textbook that serves as a personal environment for learning a less-commonly taught language. The study aims to raise awareness of how digital personal learning environments can be used alongside more formal learning strategies. The study explores self-regulated language learning within personal environments created for intermediate and advanced Turkish. We reviewed the conceptual background for the approach as well as the project-based learning strategies scaffolded in the online thematic materials.

Through a 2- to 3-year longitudinal inquiry and semi-structured interviews with eight instructors who implemented the approach in four universities, the authors analyze the impact of personalized learning in developing deeper levels of language apprenticeship. The instructors interviewed report increased growth in proficiency and accuracy in linguistic and cultural learning, as experienced in their courses through their formative and summative assessments, as well as the realization of most pedagogical goals related to language acquisition in a rich format. In light of the needs for adapted teacher education, the paper highlights the difficulties of pedagogy for autonomy.

Keywords: personal learning environments, self-regulated learning, second/foreign language learning, less-commonly-taught language, deep learning; postsecondary education, pedagogical autonomy

Read the full working paper: Online Instruction Hyper Textbook as Personal Environment (PDF)