Tools and Trends in Self-Paced Language Instruction (Emerging TECHNOLOGIES‪)‬

Ever since the PLATO system of the 1960's, CALL (computer assisted language learning) has had a major focus on providing self-paced, auto-correcting exercises for language learners to practice their skills and improve their knowledge of discrete areas of language learning. The computer has been recognized from the beginning as a patient and tireless--if inflexible--tutor, allowing students to practice repeatedly, completing drill exercises with the computer program providing feedback. Chunks of knowledge for which identifiable right and wrong answers can be provided enable the creation of selfcorrecting exercises. Unfortunately, human language is notoriously more difficult to adapt to this kind of computer-based instruction than are other areas of knowledge like mathematics. Language is so much more fluid and ambivalent than numbers and equations that basic pattern drills in language learning can accomplish only so much. Moreover, self-correcting computer drills seem inconsistent with the current model of communicative language learning based on meaningful task-based interactions with the language. Yet such exercises continue to be created and used and can still play a useful role, particularly when paired with more open-ended, communicative tools and integrated into a multimedia-rich, collaborative on-line language instruction environment. The advent of the Web (and particularly of JavaScript) as well as of digital multimedia has provided new options and capabilities for creation of language exercises. At the same time, the Web has become the preferred platform for delivery of intelligent tutoring systems, which provide a rich context for self-paced instruction. The complexity of these systems has been a formidable obstacle to involvement of language professionals. Now authoring tools are becoming available which allow language teachers to become active participants in this process. At the same time, new initiatives in educational technology standards (3rd edition of SCORM 2004, IMS Common Cartridge) provide new opportunities for the creation and distribution of on-line language learning resources.