Ciao!

In our previous posts we introduced the research team and the project, and we told you what we want to do and why. Now it’s time to tell you a bit about HOW we are going to develop this research.

New unit outline – First things first: a new teaching and learning software and a new textbook need a new course programme. Before Semester 1 started, the research team worked hard with the teaching staff to redesign our first-year Italian beginner courses in order to integrate the e-learning tools into teaching and learning. We are satisfied with the results although during the semester we have been constantly keeping an eye on the new programme to make sure it answers our teaching and learning objectives.

Analyse student’s learning profiles (quantitative and qualitative  analysis) – The advantages of introducing adaptive and mobile e-learning resources in our beginners units will be scientifically analysed by our research team throughout the year. The analysis will be conducted using the data on the students’ learning behaviours available through Connect®. At the end of each week, the research team monitors the students’ performance statistics – engagement with the online activities, metacognitive skills, most challenging learning objectives etc. – and stores them anonymously.

Student and teaching staff focus groups (qualitative  analysis) – We planned focus groups with both teaching staff and students (separately) to run in Semester 1 and 2 in order to  discuss the expectations and experience with the new unit and teaching and learning tools. At the start of Semester 1, the research team and the research staff met for the first focus group of the year. It was a great  and fertile moment of reflection on the challenges and changes in language education and we hope to keep the ball rolling. We are looking forward to talking with students and staff at the end on this semester!

Teaching staff diaries (qualitative  analysis) – During the semesters, teaching staff regularly fill in a diary in order to keep track of their teaching experience in the unit and their perception of students’ progress and engagement.

Student surveys (quantitative and qualitative  analysis) – At the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2, students will be asked to take a short anonymous online survey, where they will tell us something about their learning experience in the unit and with the e-tools adopted in the course.