Learning Chinese through a twenty-first century writing workshop with the integration of mobile technology in a language immersion elementary school

ABSTRACT

Digital mobile devices such as iPads have been around for many years and have been more and more popular in K-12 classrooms. Research has pointed out the advantages of using iPads in classrooms to enhance teaching, engage learning, and promote learning outcomes. iPads have been proven to be a useful and powerful digital mobile device in language learning including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether a technology integrated twenty-first century writing workshop had an influence on the ability and attitude towards writing in Chinese for second graders enrolled in the Mandarin Chinese program in a language immersion elementary school. Twenty-four students participated in the study. Recording technology (iPad recording app), an iPad camera, and the Book Creator App were integrated into the twenty-first century writing workshop. A pre-survey, post-survey, and observation were used to collect data. The results of the study confirmed that writing barriers decreased when the Chinese immersion program students utilized iPads in the writing workshop. Also, the writing ability and attitudes of the Chinese immersion program students improved after the completion of their twenty-first century writing workshop.

KEYWORDS:

• Technology integration
• iPads
• language learning
• twenty-first century writing workshop
• Chinese language immersion elementary school

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jia-Fang Eubanks

Jia-Fang Eubanks is a Chinese/Japanese teacher at South High School, Denver, CO. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has much experience in teaching Chinese to elementary school students, secondary school students, and adults.

Hsin-Te Yeh

Hsin-Te Yeh is an associate professor of educational technology in School of Education, Metropolitan State University of Denver. He has been contributing to educational technology field in the teacher preparation program for more than eight years. He has research interests in technology integration, visual literacy, online learning, and other education-related topics.

Hungwei Tseng

Hungwei Tseng is an instructional designer in the Online@JSU and an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Resources, Jacksonville State University. His research interests include distance learning, online group development, blended learning, and innovative learning technologies.