Challenge of Developing and Implementing Multimedia Courseware for a Japanese Language Program

Authors

  • Kaori Kabata University of Alberta
  • Grace Wiebe University of Alberta
  • Tracy Chao Royal Roads University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v22i2.237-250

Keywords:

CALL, Japanese as Second Language, Curriculum Reform, Multimedia Courseware

Abstract

This paper discusses issues surrounding the development and implementation of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) at the curriculum- and program-levels. The Japanese program at the University of Alberta has introduced CALL courseware in language courses including those with multiple sections. An evaluation was conducted at the initial implementation stage to measure the success of the project. The results of the evaluation indicated that students and instructors were positive towards the curriculum reform through the implementation of CALL technologies. However, several issues also arose during the integration process. We found that the seamless integration of technologies was difficult to achieve, especially in dealing with a language like Japanese which requires additional software to display and input the idiographic characters. Our experience also underscores the importance of student support in the implementation stage. Special consideration should be taken to achieve a good "fit" between pedagogy and technology. Moreover, each instructor's understanding and sharing of his or her view of the CALL integrated instruction was found to be vital for a program-level CALL implementation. The University of Alberta case serves as an example and benchmark for others planning to conduct a similar project.

Author Biographies

  • Kaori Kabata, University of Alberta

    Kaori Kabata (Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Alberta) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of East Asian Studies. She teaches Japanese language and Japanese linguistics courses at various levels. While her specialty is lexical semantics and fi rst- and second-language acquisition of meanings, she has also been actively involved in the research and development of computer-assisted language learning materials. In collaboration with the technical support staff, she has incorporated WebCT and other multimedia materials into various courses in the Japanese program and continues to improve these courses each term.

  • Grace Wiebe, University of Alberta

    Grace Wiebe (M.A. in Germanic Linguistics, Ph.D. in Psycholinguistics, University of Alberta) is the Director of the Arts Resource Centre and an Adjunct Professor of Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts. Her research interests include psycholinguistics, syllable structure, second language acquisition, online testing, and the use of multimedia technologies in second language teaching and learning.

  • Tracy Chao, Royal Roads University

    Tracy Chao (M.A. in Educational Technology, Concordia University) was an instructional designer at the University of Alberta at the time of the project. She now works for Royal Roads University, a distance education institution that offers full online programs. She has collaborated with instructors in technology integration projects and conducts action research on the discipline-specifi c application of educational technology.

References

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Published

2013-01-14

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Kabata, K., Wiebe, G., & Chao, T. (2013). Challenge of Developing and Implementing Multimedia Courseware for a Japanese Language Program. CALICO Journal, 22(2), 237-250. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.v22i2.237-250

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