CALL challenges

Stepping Outside the Black Box

Primary Teachers , English Language and Technology

A Kuwaiti Investigation

Table of Contents Page

Title Page 1

Contents 2

Abstract

3

Introduction

4

Background

4

Problem Statement

7

Aims and Objectives

8

Context of the Study

8

Research Questions

24

Theoretical Implications

24

Population

25

Procedure

25

Data /Information Collection

26

Data /information Analysis

27

Ethical Considerations

31

Potential Difficulties

32

Bibliography

34

Abstract

This study will look at the current development and progress of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL ) in English language instruction as perceived by novice primary teachers in the government (public ) schools of Kuwait . The goal of the study will be to trace how the CALL agenda in the teaching of English is introduced to prospective educators during their professional studies , and implemented by novice teachers in real primary classroom settings

This research will involve case studies of Kuwaiti educators being prepared to teach English in primary schools in the CALL elective course at the Kuwaiti College of Basic Education . Estimated number of participants is 5 to 12 young females of similar age and nationality /ethnicity , although differentiated in regard to their social background . The latter variable will further affect participants ' school placement and add an additional layer of depth to the research

The research will be designed as a multi-method qualitative study employing the interpretive , naturalistic approach used for looking at people in their natural setting . Data collection will take place at two stages : around their completion of the CALL course and upon their school placement . The methods employed will be nonparticipant observation in the classroom , individual and group interviews , as well as analysis of documents related to the teaching of English through CALL at different stages of the respondents ' professional pipeline

The research will contribute to creating an authentic portrayal of the present situation in the Kuwaiti educational system in regard to preparing future teachers of English who are able to use technology at an advanced level for language teaching proposes . The interpretive naturalistic approach taken will ensure the holistic and in-depth investigation of the phenomena of technology (CALL ) and English in the Arabic (Kuwaiti ) socio-cultural and linguistic context . The complexity of problems associated with the phenomena under research will be revealed by penetrating into the everyday life of Kuwaiti primary school teachers . The study is intended to underline the existing situation in the country as well as indicate areas for improvement and development both in teacher training and daily CALL instruction at the primary level

Introduction

[T]oo many articles .focus on the technology , rather than the impacts of technology on human endeavor . What is needed here is a shift of focus which allows that the technology should always be of secondary importance . If it is of primary importance , then it could be argued the research should sit in computer science rather than education (Underwood , 2004 , qtd . in McDougall Jones , 2003 ,

.353

This statement seems to encapsulate the essence of what is emerging as a vital part of educational research...