Presentation given by @MairLloyd at the International Conference for Language Centres in Higher Education, Brno, 14/01/2015

1. Computer Assisted Language
Learning (CALL):
Modern Technologies for Ancient
Languages
Mair Lloyd
mair.lloyd@open.ac.uk

2. Agenda
1. Me and My Research
2. Relevance for Medical Terminology
3. Questions and Discussion

3. Mair Lloyd (Houlker)
Student Open
University
Mathematician
/ Statistician
Computer
Programmer
(Private
Sector)
Lecturer (FE)
Home Tutor
Data Analyst
(Health)
Performance
Manager
(Police)
IT Manager
(Local
Government)

4. My Research
• Establishing Status Quo
• Identifying / Evaluating Inspiration
• Findings and recommendation
Ab initio Classical Language Modules
at UK Universities

5. Perspectives
Ancient
Language
Learning
Students
Tutors
Personal
Experience

6. Status Quo
Current
Pedagogy
Language
Learning
Theory
Aims
Exams

7. Aims of ab initio courses
81
86
102
114
116
121
125
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Improve understanding of English grammar
Test aptitude for further language study
Translate ancient texts into English
Enhance understanding of ancient cultures
Have desirable linguistic competence
Read Latin with fluency and appreciation
Examine Latin texts
Prioritised by 27 UK University Tutors

8. Reasons for Studying Latin
(Open University Students)
To complete
the course
and achieve a
pass
To work out
more difficult
texts with the
help of a
dictionary
To be able to
read Latin
inscription on
painting
I don't
honestly
think I will
use it
to at least
have good go
at reading
Latin texts in
the original
To be able to
teach Latin in
my school

10. What is Examined
(27 Universities)
3
7
10
11
16
18
21
24
26
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Unseen translation English passages into Latin
Translation of words or phrases English into Latin
Translation of words or phrases Latin to English
Comprehension questions
Prepared translation Latin passages into English
Translation English sentences into Latin
Translation of Latin sentences into English
Grammar questions
Unseen translation Latin passages into English

11. 50%
47%
34%
27%
25%
19% 18% 17%
14% 13%
12% 11% 11%
9% 8% 8%
7%
6%
4% 4%
0% 0% 0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Students Failed or Withdrew - 23 Latin
Undergraduate Modules
(2012 -13)

12. Current Pedagogy
and
Use of Technology

13. SLL Theories Supporting Current Practice
Method Key Features1 Theory
Grammar-Translation
Method
Students learn declensions
and conjugation, paradigms
and syntax and apply that
knowledge toward the
translation of Latin texts into
the English language
‘It is a method for
which there is no
theory’.
(Richards and Rogers, 2006)
Comprehensible Input
(text based)
Students learn Latin by
reading carefully written
stories that gradually build in
complexity.
Krashen Input Hypothesis
(Comprehensible Input)
1 Latinteach website (2006), How to Teach Latin
http://latinteach.blogspot.co.uk/2006/11/how-to-teach-latin-over-years-study-of.html

14. Number of Universities using Types of Technology
(27 Universities)
1
1
1
4
4
5
8
10
11
14
17
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Video with Latin soundtrack
Podcasts and Vidcasts of Lessons
Distribution of Handouts etc via Intranet
Audio recordings in Latin
Other mobile apps for smartphones etc.
Web based tools for working in groups
Any other computer-based resources
Technology-based dictionaries / morphology tools
Texts with hyperlinks (e.g. Perseus website)
Technology based flashcards
Technology based drill / testing

15. Tutor Comments on Technology
With a wide range of free
online activities available,
students are encouraged to
be more independent and
find their own personal
approach.

16. Tutor Comments on Technology
Self-marking online
versions of exercises give
students immediate
feedback 24/7

17. Tutor Comments on Technology
Spaced-repetition flashcard apps
make vocabulary learning very easy
…. BUT few students see the
advantage when they can just waste
months of their lives instead
looking every single word up in a
dictionary.

18. Tutor Comments on Technology
Students seem very reluctant to use
computer-based material. This has
been my experience over many
years.
I don't use them
much myself

19. I would like the Open University to include more technology-
based resources and activities for future modules
16
15
12
3
2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor
disagree
Disagree Strongly disagree

20. Inspiration for Change
Ancient
Languages
for Classics
Modern
Languages
Technology
(CALL)

21. Modern v Ancient
• Requirements
– Read ancient texts
• Examine
• Translate
• Context
– Fixed body of written
material
– No native speakers
• Requirements
– Speak
– Listen
– Read
– Write
• Context
– Expanding body of
literature in a variety of
media
– Native speakers /
community /culture
} communicate

22. Learning Theories
Theory Learning is viewed as:
Behaviorism
… conditioning … ‘stimulus-response’ …
Cognitivism
… mental processing: information
comes in, is processed, and leads to
certain outcomes
Constructivism
… an active, contextualized process of
constructing knowledge …

23. Theories on the Nature of Language
Theory View of Language
Structural
… language is a system of structurally
related elements for the coding of
meaning …
Functional
… language is a vehicle for the expression
of functional meaning …
Interactional
… language as a vehicle for the realization
of interpersonal relations and for the
performance of social transactions
between individuals ...
Richards, J. C. and Rogers, T.S. (2001, 2nd edition) Approaches and Methods in Language
Teaching, Kindle Edition (2006).

24. Theory
Nature of Language
Structuralist Functional Interactional
Learning
Behaviourist
Grammar-
translation
Cognitive
Grammar-
translation
Comprehensible
Input
Constructivist
Rouse’s Direct
Method

25. Enhancing Learning and Teaching Through
the Use of Technology (CALL)
Benefits may be felt at three different levels:
• efficiency (existing processes carried out in a more cost-
effective, time-effective, sustainable or scalable manner)
• enhancement (improving existing processes and the
outcomes)
• transformation (radical, positive change in existing
processes or introducing new processes)
Enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology: a revised approach
to HEFCE’s strategy for e-learning (Higher Education Funding Council for England, 2009)

26. Communicative
Language is
Interactional
Learning
is Social-
Constructivist
Text-based
interaction in
(or about)
Latin
Language
Forums / Chat /
Programmed
Avatar

27. Audio-visual
approach
Language is
Interactional
Learning
is
Constructivist
Graded
video
animations
in Latin
Audio / Video
(with Subtitles
either in Latin or
English)

28. Evaluating Change

29. League Table
Noun Ending Chart and Declensions Spreadsheet 13↑ 0↓
Vocabulary Video 10↑ 1↓
Verb Endings Slides 9↑ 1↓
Verb Ending Chart and Conjugations Spreadsheet 8↑ 0↓
Open University Interactive Latin Site 4↑0↓
Vocabulary Recordings 4↑ 1↓
Perseus Morphological Tool 3↑ 0↓
Grammar Slides with Sound 3↑ 0↓
Whitaker’s Words 2↑ 0↓
Anki Flashcard App 1↑ 0↓

30. Student Comments
I learn visually not orally, so
the sound sections are not of
interest to me.

31. Student Comments
I also am a non-technically
literate older student and do
not really understand the
intricacies of downloading
sound to use.

32. Student Comments
My hearing is not
especially good now and I
am a very visual learner …

33. Student Comments
the Anki site … I tried
to access it, but haven’t
been able to do so.

34. Student Comments
Have just looked at the video …
Sorry – I absolutely hated it and
found it totally unhelpful! I
couldn’t even bear to finish it. I
don’t need pictures – I’m an
adult!!

35. Student Comments
This is a great extra resource for
me as I am a little muddled at
times using the set text book.

36. Student Comments
Hi Mair, the Exel spreadsheet is
brilliant for revision and I have
printed the little noun ending
table out to carry about in my
handbag, it is really useful!
[Noun Ending Spreadsheet]

37. Student Comments
Hello Mair. What a brilliant
resource and what a lot of time it
must have taken you! It is just
what I needed! Thank you.
[Noun Ending Spreadsheet]

38. Challenges to Overcome
• Different Learning Styles
• Levels of Computer Literacy
• Love of Paper
• Reluctance to make own Resources
• Reluctance to try new things

39. More Online Resources
Introducing Classical Latin (Open University):
http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/introducing-classical-latin/
Cambridge Latin Course Vocabulary Tester
http://www.cambridgescp.com/singles/vt/vocuk1.html?mn=161154
Memrise Flash Card Maker
http://www.memrise.com/home/

40. Modern v Medical
• Requirements
– Name
– Understand Name
• Context
– Fixed body medical
terms
– No native speakers
• Requirements
– Speak
– Listen
– Read
– Write
• Context
– Expanding body of
literature in a variety of
media
– Native speakers /
community /culture
} communicate

41. Tools for Learning Vocabulary
• Excel Spreadsheets
• Flashcards
• Drill
http://medi-lingua.hu/

42. Tools for Learning Morphology
• Excel Spreadsheets
• Drill

43. Tools for Matching Adjectives
• Drill

44. Suggestions
• Provide Variety
• Encourage Automomy
• Support Technology Users
• Consider Technology ‘’Normal’’

45. References (Medical Terminology)
Kateřina Pořízková, Jozefa Artimová, Libor Švanda,
Eva Dávidová LATINA PRO CHIRURGICKÉ OBORY
PRAKTICKÝ PRŮVODCE JAK ‚‚UŠÍT“ JAZYKOVĚ SPRÁVNOU
DIAGNÓZU
Jozefa Artimová, Winter Semester 2013/2014
Handout 5
REPAS LASZLO, 2013, BASICS OF MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY, Latin and Greek origins
Debrecen