Innovation in Language Learning

The incorporation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Web 3.0 tools and applications in university education is widely seen as central to the transformation of Higher Education Institutions, providing opportunities to enhance traditional modes of teaching and learning, consistent with the need to fulfil the learning demand of the ‘Digital Native’ generations. Within this context, the University of Urbino has recently implemented a three-year experimental project called “Aula 3.0 e Multimodalità Didattica” aimed at promoting active and learner-centred pedagogical practices that can integrate or replace traditional teacher-directed instruction. To this end, the university has been equipped with four highly technological and flexible learning spaces (called “Aule 3.0”), all equipped with movable tables, wi-fi, mobile devices, an interactive whiteboard and a projector, in which innovative and multimodal teaching approaches are being experimented and tested. In particular, one experimental course was carried out in the academic year 2018-2019 (Didactics of Modern Languages I, Master in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Studies), in which a multimodal teaching and learning approach was used, combining ICT-mediated and web-based activities, face-to-face collaborative tasks, e-learning, and teacher-direct instruction. The purpose of the research was to explore students’ attitudes and perceptions towards this multimodal ICT-enhanced teaching and learning approach and the flexible learning space, to determine the level of participation, satisfaction, and usefulness of the different activities. Twenty students enrolled in the experimental course expressed their opinions by completing an online survey after they attended the lessons. Besides giving valuable insight into students’ perceptions, the research results also provided a few suggestions for further improvements of the room’s functionality and features.

Keywords: Flexible learning space, students’ perspective, multimodal teaching, ICT, education 3.0

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