Extending the flipped classroom model: Developing second language writing skills through student-created digital videos (Marion Engin)

examining the impact of
technology on learning (Kirkwood and Price, 2013)

technology and teacher-led approach, rather than a learning and learner-led approach

to examine the impact of student-created digital
videos on second language learning in an academic writing course through a scholarly approach,
with particular focus on inquiry, evidence, and reflection

evidence- responses of students to the questionnaires and interviews, as well as in the final product of the
videos.

reflection- highlighting some fundamental considerations in the flipped classroom model and peer teaching.

student-created digital videos

develop language and writing skills in a second language

Peer teaching

gives responsibility

deeper understanding of course content, increased critical thinking, willingness to explore, and self-reflection

The flipped classroom and second language learning

A flipped approach is not just a pedagogic model, it is a mindset as to what the teacher and students’ roles are, and how best to support student learning.

Student-created digital videos and second language learning

Beach (2012) outlines how student-created videos developed students’ sense of effective visual communication as a result of audience awareness

Instruments

A two-part questionnaire was distributed
(Appendix A)

The first part was designed to get feedback on the flipped approach and the use of the videos, thus the students were surveyed on their perceptions of the digital videos in their roles of consumers.

The second part aimed to elicit perceptions of the usefulness of creating their digital video and the extent to which the creation and preparation enhanced their own knowledge and understanding of the concepts, as well as their language.

Participants

8 Emirati female learners aged 19-21;

The first language is Arabic, the second language is English

Procedure

The beginning of semester: writing a research question, organizing an argumentative essay,
outlining, and writing a research proposal.

The videos were designed as scaffolds to give students a possible model, and to orient them to the concept of video tutorials and how to use them.

Second language learning through student-created digital videos

Much of the research on student-created videos highlight the benefits of students as creators, but do not examine students’ attitudes as consumers to peer-produced videos (Beach, 2012; Kearney
& Schuck, 2006).

Limitations of the study

The videos themselves were not critically
analyzed for evidence of understanding of the topic.

The participant group was a small sample size (Chester, 2012)

Lessons learnt and future projects

The research on the role of students in the flipped
classroom needs to focus on students as both consumers and producers of digital material.

Language skills development through researching

The act of researching a topic, searching for sources,evaluating the information and choosing relevant information helped them to learn the topic better.

Language development through simplifying

The activity of simplifying the information as part of the process. Simplifying the material is a higher-order cognitive skill as it involves summarizing and synthesizing, as well as paraphrasing.

Language development through a focus on accuracy

Language learning through a focus on accuracy of content and language. Audience awareness forced students to be careful in choosing content and appropriate language for explanations.

Student perceptions: trustworthiness of the content and presentation

Working in groups and cooperating on a joint project in terms of the production, many students commented on the quality of the videos in terms of their roles as consumers.