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Article
A meta-analysis of effectiveness studies on computer technology-supported language learning
ReCALL
  • Maja Grgurovic, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Carol Chapelle, Iowa State University
  • Mack C Shelley, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2013
DOI
10.1017/S0958344013000013
Abstract

With the aim of summarizing years of research comparing pedagogies for second/foreign language teaching supported with computer technology and pedagogy not-supported by computer technology, a meta-analysis was conducted of empirical research investigating language outcomes. Thirty-seven studies yielding 52 effect sizes were included, following a search of literature from 1970 to 2006 and screening of studies based on stated criteria. The differences in research designs required subdivision of studies, but overall results favored the technology-supported pedagogy, with a small, but positive and statistically significant effect size. Second/foreign language instruction supported by computer technology was found to be at least as effective as instruction without technology, and in studies using rigorous research designs the CALL groups outperformed the non-CALL groups. The analyses of instructional conditions, characteristics of participants, and conditions of the research design did not provide reliable results because of the small number of effect sizes representing each group. The meta-analysis results provide an empirically-based response to the questions of whether or not technology-supported pedagogies enhance language learning, and the process of conducting the meta-analysis pointed to areas in research methodology that would benefit from attention in future research.

Comments

This article is from ReCALL 25 (2013): 165, doi:10.1017/S0958344013000013 Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
Cambridge University Press
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Maja Grgurovic, Carol Chapelle and Mack C Shelley. "A meta-analysis of effectiveness studies on computer technology-supported language learning" ReCALL Vol. 25 Iss. 02 (2013) p. 165 - 198
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/carol_chapelle/7/