Technology as an Educational Equalizer for EFL Learning in Rural China? Evidence from the Impact of Technology-Assisted Practices on Teacher-Student Interaction in Primary Classrooms

Authors

  • Guofang Li University of British Columbia
  • Youngeun Jee University of British Columbia
  • Zhuo Sun University of British Columbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20360/langandlit29415

Abstract

Based on a conversational analysis (CA) of eight videoed EFL lessons from technology-enhanced primary classrooms in a rural suburb of a major city in China, this study examines the nature of technology-assisted practices and their influence on teacher-student interaction in the target language. The analysis revealed that the technology-assisted practices mainly served as an alternative presentation tool to meet a range of traditional pedagogical goals and facilitated minimal spontaneous language use among the students. The findings call for research to explore better pedagogical use of technology to promote students’ active language production to truly achieve educational equalization for rural students.

Author Biographies

Guofang Li, University of British Columbia

Dr. Guofang Li is a Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Transnational/Global Perspectives of Language and Literacy Education of Children and Youth in the Department of Language and Literacy Education, UBC.  Her recent research interests span longitudinal studies of immigrant children’s bicultural and bi-literacy development through school, children and youth’s new literacies practices in and out of school, technology-enhanced language teaching in primary and secondary schools, pre- and in-service TESOL teacher education, and current language and educational policy and practice in globalized contexts.

Youngeun Jee, University of British Columbia

Youngeun Jee is a Ph.D student in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at University of British Columbia in Canada. Her research interests include critical pedagogies and second language teacher education. 

Zhuo Sun, University of British Columbia

Zhuo Sun is a PhD candidate at the Department of Language and Literacy Education, University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on language education in the age of transnational migration.

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Published

2018-07-19

How to Cite

Li, G., Jee, Y., & Sun, Z. (2018). Technology as an Educational Equalizer for EFL Learning in Rural China? Evidence from the Impact of Technology-Assisted Practices on Teacher-Student Interaction in Primary Classrooms. Language and Literacy, 20(3), 159–184. https://doi.org/10.20360/langandlit29415