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"How context-specific should CALL evaluation be?"

Carol Chapelle

Dr. Carol Chapelle

FLARE invited Dr. Carol Chapelle from Iowa State University. She gave us a public lecture entitled "How context-specific should CALL evaluation be?" on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. in 214 Phillips Hall.

Abstract of the Talk

Researchers evaluating CALL in classrooms struggle with questions about the generalizability of evaluation criteria and results: To what extent should evaluation criteria be similar across CALL activities? Are similar results obtained for the same CALL activities when they are used in different classes? I will report the results of a study evaluating ESL learners’ use of state-of-the-art multimedia CALL, Longman English Interactive, through a multiple case-study methodology at three US and three international sites in spring and summer of 2005. We operationalized the same six evaluation criteria across sites: language learning potential, meaning focus, learner fit, authenticity, impact, and practicality (Chapelle, 2001). Data consist primarily of survey and test results, which were examined separately for each site and compared across sites. Many similarities were found across these sites, but so were some differences. I will discuss results of this study and implications for CALL evaluation.