Network-based language learning

1) What are the main ideas of the structural, cognitive and socio-cognitive perspective to language learning?

structural perspective:

The structural perspective puts emphasis on the formal analysis of the system of structures that make up a given language.  This means that language learning is mainly about memorizing verb paradigms and analyzing or translating sentences. It is strongly influenced by behavioral psychologist who claim that language learning is to be seen as a habit formation.

cognitive perspective:

The cognitive perspective is a “problem-solving” approach. The behavioral approach is being rejected and emphasis is put on learning strategies (e.g. reading stragies: top-down or bottom-up).

sociocognitive perspective:

In the sociocognitive perspective language is seen as a socially constructed phenomenon. Therefore communicative processes became as important as linguistic product and instruction became more learner-centered and less structurally driven. Emphasis is put on socio-cultural contexts and not only on individual learning strategies.(e.g.reading : not only  learning strategies but also extensive discussion of readings)

2) What is the role of the computer in each of these approaches?

structural perspective:

The computer is in the role of a tutor. Exemplary are simple drill programs for vocabulary learning that emphasize the repeated drilling.

cognitive perspective:

The computer is in the role of a pupil. “The computer provides tools and resources, but it is up to the learner to do something with these in a stimulated evironment.”

sociocognitive perspective:

The computer is in the role of a tool. The sociocognitive perspective moves on from learners’ interaction with computers to interaction with other humans via the computer.

3) Which of these approaches in your opinion can be best used with the web 2.0?

In my opinion the sociocognitive approach can be best used with the web 2.0. What is actually web 2.0?: It is the interaction with other humans via the computer, real communication with real humans.

~ by diemeierin on June 18, 2008.