Case study research investigated the launching of an innovative Live Journal, as part of a professional social network, during international conference held in Israel on the subject of teacher training. Research liter...Case study research investigated the launching of an innovative Live Journal, as part of a professional social network, during international conference held in Israel on the subject of teacher training. Research literature notes various publications used to record research and academic materials, but talks less about tools accompanying academic conferences. As far as could be ascertained no online ＂live journal＂ has served the needs of a professional conference. To understand the process and contribution of the Live Journal, qualitative study was chosen, using categorical analysis to interpret materials uploaded by participants on the journal. Additionally, in-depth interviews exposed participants＇ voices and interpretations. The research aimed to identify factors encouraging or hindering the initiative＇s success, patterns of participation, participants＇ characteristics, writing styles and incumbent difficulties and aimed to present a model for optimal operation of the Live Journal. Findings indicate essential components for the journal＇s success include： participants, technology and marketing, noting the importance of each component and their correlation with other components. The journal＇s potential to assist construction of a professional community, and act as an impetus for professional development and familiarity with other professionals in the field indicates the importance of the journal and constitutes the key for success.展开更多
Recent years, problems of the current college English courses, such as test-oriented teaching, wasteful duplication of language skills teaching, etc., have been criticized by educators and students in China. Thus, tur...Recent years, problems of the current college English courses, such as test-oriented teaching, wasteful duplication of language skills teaching, etc., have been criticized by educators and students in China. Thus, turning skill-based English courses into content-based ESP （English for Special Purposes） courses has become a tendency at colleges and universities in China. The purpose of this paper is to analyze factors influencing the design of such courses through the means of questionnaire, individual interviews, data survey （e.g., educational plans） etc.. We found the following factors throw light on the questions relating to curriculum design of ESP courses： （1） the learners＇ learning needs; （2） the social needs （esp. labor market needs）; and （3） the academic needs from the university. The analysis serves to reveal the gap between the school system and actual social and students needs. With these factors in mind, designers of such courses can adjust goals, contents, approaches, and assessments in the practical teaching. And thus these factors would enable content-based ESP courses to reflect learners＇ needs better and lead to more effective langrage learning in college English teaching field.展开更多
文摘Case study research investigated the launching of an innovative Live Journal, as part of a professional social network, during international conference held in Israel on the subject of teacher training. Research literature notes various publications used to record research and academic materials, but talks less about tools accompanying academic conferences. As far as could be ascertained no online ＂live journal＂ has served the needs of a professional conference. To understand the process and contribution of the Live Journal, qualitative study was chosen, using categorical analysis to interpret materials uploaded by participants on the journal. Additionally, in-depth interviews exposed participants＇ voices and interpretations. The research aimed to identify factors encouraging or hindering the initiative＇s success, patterns of participation, participants＇ characteristics, writing styles and incumbent difficulties and aimed to present a model for optimal operation of the Live Journal. Findings indicate essential components for the journal＇s success include： participants, technology and marketing, noting the importance of each component and their correlation with other components. The journal＇s potential to assist construction of a professional community, and act as an impetus for professional development and familiarity with other professionals in the field indicates the importance of the journal and constitutes the key for success.
文摘Recent years, problems of the current college English courses, such as test-oriented teaching, wasteful duplication of language skills teaching, etc., have been criticized by educators and students in China. Thus, turning skill-based English courses into content-based ESP （English for Special Purposes） courses has become a tendency at colleges and universities in China. The purpose of this paper is to analyze factors influencing the design of such courses through the means of questionnaire, individual interviews, data survey （e.g., educational plans） etc.. We found the following factors throw light on the questions relating to curriculum design of ESP courses： （1） the learners＇ learning needs; （2） the social needs （esp. labor market needs）; and （3） the academic needs from the university. The analysis serves to reveal the gap between the school system and actual social and students needs. With these factors in mind, designers of such courses can adjust goals, contents, approaches, and assessments in the practical teaching. And thus these factors would enable content-based ESP courses to reflect learners＇ needs better and lead to more effective langrage learning in college English teaching field.
