Online Interactivity with JavaScript: Beyond Radio Buttons

Biographical Notes

Cindy Jorth is the Director of the Multimedia Language Learning Center at
CSU, Chico. Her current research involves bridging the gap between SLA
theory and practical applications of technology.

Abstract

With the ever-increasing popularity of CALL, the Internet has become a favored medium of language instruction. However, even a cursory surf through existing sites reveals a massive gap between theories of second language acquisition and online practices. While the goal of communicative proficiency requires that learners use the language in context as a means to an end, the overwhelming majority of existing sites are grammar-oriented, uncontextualized, and non-communicative. This presentation will demonstrate how the imaginative use of JavaScript can help bridge the chasm between theory and practice and promote the communicative use of the language beyond the classroom.

This presentation will include a PowerPoint presentation as well as online examples.

Anticipated Benefit to Participants:
This presentation will be provide both faculty and lab managers/directors with the newest information regarding JavaScript and DHTML. Most importantly, this information will be directed toward a discussion of the meaningful, pedagogically-sound creation and use of such interactive JavaScript activities for 2nd language instruction. Participants will leave with handouts describing such activities and a list online resources for creating JavaScript activities using online templates.