Search

This paper explores the use of lecture capture in Engineering classes to provide students with the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the course content. Students were asked to provide feedback on what they perceive the benefits and the drawbacks of lecture capture to be. The results show that the students consider lecture capture an effective tool to help them succeed in the course. The videos are available to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week thus allowing students to bridge the gap between what they have understood in the formal class setting and what they are able to better understand after reviewing the videos in a more informal, relaxed environment. In addition, most of the students indicated that the availability of the videos did not encourage them to skip or miss any classes. The main drawback was associated with technical difficulties which resulted in some wasted time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of learner autonomy, as worthwhile as it is to many teachers and learners, is not one that is easily reached. ESL students bring with them their rich cultural backgrounds and expectations of learning, which may not include becoming an autonomous learner. If this is the case, a teacher need not give up on the notion of fostering learner autonomy, but rather work at designing tasks that will provide the life-long learning skills students need to become autonomous. Little (2008) believes that "our capacity for autonomous behavior in any sphere develops not in isolation, but in interaction with others. Thus … growth of learner autonomy is stimulated above all by interaction" (p. 256). Interaction in the classroom can be achieved through group work, pair work, and large class discussion. Outside the classroom, modern technologies have opened up many interactive options for the autonomous learner to continue his/her quest for knowledge. Carefully chosen Web 2.0 activities that utilize technology effectively is one alternative open to teachers who wish to promote learner autonomy in the ESL classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including learning and speaking, English language teaching and learning and learning preferences of the Saudi University Students with English speaking teachers.