An Investigation of the Use of Wikis in English Language Learning

一项运用Wikis于英语语言学习的调查研究(英文)

This paper presents a study exploring the efficacy of Wikis in an online language exchange program involving a purposeful sample of university students from China and the UK. The article first provides a brief overview of the use of Web 2.0 applications in language education. It then specifically addresses the potential advantages of using Wikispaces in second language acquisition, particularly in tasks designed for the purpose of collaborative learning. Research methods employed in the study included questionnaire, interview and analysis of textual input on Wikis. Participants were students from two partner universities in China and the UK, who communicated with each other in English and Chinese to discuss curriculum-based topics posted to the China-UK Wikispaces. The results demonstrate that tasks designed for Wikis offer students constructive opportunities to communicate with each other and develop their language proficiencies. The findings also indicate that the informed involvement of language tutors in selecting topics and designing tasks is instrumental in effectively facilitating and further enhancing students＇ experiences of collaborative learning on Wikis.

本文分析了一项中英大学之间利用 Wikis 在网络上进行互相促进外语学习的实证研究。首先,笔者简述了第二代网络技术在语言教学的研究,强调了 Wikis 在外语学习中的潜在优势,尤其是能够促进合作学习方面。本研究采用调查问卷、采访和网页上学生的讨论语言作为研究方法,研究对象为中国和英国各一所大学的学生。双方学生在建立的 China-UK Wikis 网页上分别用英语和汉语进行交流和讨论。研究结果表明,在 Wikis 上设计相关的论题可以更好的促进双方学生的交流和语言学习。因此,在运用 Wikis 于外语学习时,教师设计一些相关的题目和任务能够更有效地促进学生在 Wikis 上的合作学习。