CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS
Proposal Submission Deadline: April 15, 2013
A book edited by Drs. Shuai Li & Peter Swanson (Georgia State University, U.S.A.)
To be published by IGI Global: http://bit.ly/WZxPxk
Introduction
The teaching and learning of second/foreign language has been revolutionized by the infusion of Web 2.0 technologies, free and open source software platforms, and thousands of apps emerging daily. The emergence of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), combined with new teaching approaches, has transformed language teaching and learning from a teacher-centered or textbook-centered instructional practice to a student-centered approach. The infusion of computer technology into innovative language teaching paradigms can help address the challenges that instructors face in traditional classrooms. For example, motivating and fostering student engagement in meaningful language practice is challenging for language instructors on multiple levels, not the least of which is overcoming perceptions of irrelevance in real-world applications. Computer technology can help address these issues by providing opportunities for learning languages in authentic environments through technologies such as synchronous computer-mediated communication (e.g., online chatting), asynchronous computer mediated communication (e.g., e-mail exchanges, blogging), and multi-user virtual environments. Such technology-informed language instruction can effectively motivate learners to engage in student-centered language tasks with real-world outcomes. Compared with traditional classroom approaches, technology-informed language instruction can better improve linguistic and cultural fluency, which is linked to increased learning output, a decreased sense of the affective obstacles to language learning, and improved quality of communication (Schinke-Llano & Vicars, 1993; Stepp-Greany, 2002).
Clearly, CALL holds much promise for effective language teaching and learning. Yet as a relatively young field of inquiry, there has been limited empirical research highlighting the learning outcomes of technology integration. Although many journals and books provide research describing how to implement technology, few chapters and articles are published showing the effectiveness of using technology for teaching languages. This book seeks to expand the knowledge base of CALL that highlights how technology impacts the teaching and learning of languages from an empirical standpoint and from a global perspective. Having a resource that includes the theoretical and practical uses of technology tools as well as learning outcomes from having integrated technology into the language learning process is important in today‘s research-based, student achievement driven society. Clearly, language learning is a complex system, and the successful outcomes related to the integration of technology should be focused on.
Objective of the Book
The overarching goal of the book is to build an innovative knowledge base about CALL theory and successful practices integrating a variety of technological tools in the context of K-20 language learning. To achieve this goal, this book will present a collection of empirical studies examining theoretical issues as well as specific applications and outcomes regarding the integration of innovative technology into language teaching and learning. This book will consider a wide spectrum of technology applications for all operating systems suitable for educational purposes. Innovative research using free and open source software, proprietary software, as well as a plethora of cutting-edge apps that engage language learners and promote successful language learning will be presented along with empirical findings.
Target Audience
The target audience of this book will be composed of educational researchers, instructional technologists, K-20 language teachers, and people interested in language teaching outside formal educational environments. Faculty members at institutions of higher education as well as curriculum specialists will be able to benefit from the book for making decisions regarding curriculum development, assessment strategies, and selection of language learning technology for language labs. The book will serve as a reference for the advancement of research on and the practice of teaching and learning languages in both theoretical and practical ways. As such, this book can be used as a textbook for second/foreign language technology integration classes.
Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
� Web 2.0 tools in language teaching, learning, and testing
� Intelligent Tutoring in language teaching, learning, and testing
� Computer-mediated communication in language teaching, learning, and testing
� Corpora and concordancers in language teaching, learning, and testing
� Virtual and distant language learning technologies
� Language courseware design, development, and evaluation
� Cognitive, affective and social factors and outcomes of CALL
� Computer technology in teacher training and development
Submission Procedure
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before April 15, 2013, a chapter proposal (1-2 pages) clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by May 17, 2013 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by August 30, 2013. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.
Publisher
This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference), “Medical Information Science Reference,” “Business Science Reference,” and “Engineering Science Reference” imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2014.
Important Dates
April 15, 2013: Proposal Submission Deadline
May 17 2013: Notification of Acceptance
August 30, 2013: Full Chapter Submission
October 30, 2013: Review Results Returned
November 30, 2013: Final Chapter Submission
February 15, 2014: Final Deadline
Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded to
Shuai Li (sli12@gsu.edu) and/or Peter Swanson (pswanson@gsu.edu)
Department of Modern & Classical Languages
P.O. Box 3970, Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303 U.S.A.