Mobile Application Use in Technology- Enhanced DCTs

Authors

  • Catherine Rockey The University of Arizona, Tucson
  • Jessica Tiegs The University of Arizona, Tucson
  • Julieta Fernández The University of Arizona, Tucson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.38773

Keywords:

discourse completion task, TE-DCTs, attention-getting devices, gestures

Abstract

In response to calls for improving the quality of DCTs as data-gathering instruments, this study investigates the effectiveness of technology-enhanced discourse completion tasks (TE-DCTs) as a method for eliciting nonverbal speaker data. We used a mobile application to administer four TE-DCTs to native speakers (L1) and intermediate and advanced second-language (L2) speakers of Spanish. Each TE-DCT contained two scenarios with the goal of capturing nonverbal devices used in the speech act of attention-getting (i.e., devices used to draw the interlocutor's attention). The written description of each DCT scenario was supplemented with a short video clip to provide participants with nonverbal factors such as distance to interlocutor, bodily stance, and orientation of interlocutors. To capture nonverbal cues as part of the participant responses, the participant video recorded their oral responses to each scenario. The mobile application used was successful in capturing a variety of attention-getting elements, including nonverbal devices, in the majority of both L1 and L2 participant responses for all DCT scenarios. Drawing on this data, we argue for the use of mobile applications as an ecologically valid way to measure one type of pragmatic ability. In addition, we advocate their integration into L2 pedagogical practice.

Author Biographies

  • Catherine Rockey, The University of Arizona, Tucson

    Catherine Rockey is a PhD student in Hispanic Linguistics and graduate associate in teaching and research in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Arizona. Her research interests include second language acquisition and teaching and L2 pragmatics.

  • Jessica Tiegs, The University of Arizona, Tucson

    Jessica Tiegs is a PhD student in Hispanic Linguistics and graduate associate in teaching in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Arizona. While her research is primarily in sociolinguistics and phonetics, she is interested in how technology is shaping second language teaching.

  • Julieta Fernández, The University of Arizona, Tucson

    Julieta Fernández is Assistant Professor of Hispanic Linguistics in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and an affiliated faculty member in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching at the University of Arizona. Her research centers primarily on pragmatic dimensions of language use, language learning and technology, and second language learning and pedagogy.

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Published

2020-03-02

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

Rockey, C., Tiegs, J., & Fernández, J. (2020). Mobile Application Use in Technology- Enhanced DCTs. CALICO Journal, 37(1), 85–108. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.38773

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