2. BACKGROUND TO THE INITIATIVE

2.1 Context

As early adopters of technology in language teaching and learning (tape-based language labs, TV-based labs, satellite television (1985), medithèques and most notably, computer-assisted language learning (CALL) (1984), the School of Languages and Literature at the University of Ulster has consistently embraced opportunities for change. Since 2001, the School has instigated a rolling programme of technology provision, investing heavily in multimedia language laboratories (one on its Magee campus, one in Coleraine and a recently opened lab at the Belfast campus) as well as Languages Resource Centres on both the Coleraine and Magee campuses.

The expansion of multimedia facilities across the University provides increased capacity and a platform for the development of dynamic teaching; however, enhanced opportunities provided by digital technology have to be directed by developments in pedagogy. In 2005, on the strength of excellence in teaching and research on multimedia language pedagogy, the School was awarded £825,000 over five years through the DELNI-funded Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) initiative, to establish the Centre for Excellence in Multimedia Language Learning (CEMLL) to develop multimedia-based teaching methods and to support the skills and interest of staff in the adoption of technology solutions. Irish and French were chosen as the languages upon which to concentrate innovations initially, given that numbers of staff and students involved in these languages are larger than for others taught in the University of Ulster.

2.2 Strategic goals of the initiative

The central goal is to transform the learning environment through the provision of suitable learning resources using multimedia learning technology and the development of appropriate pedagogy. The networked classroom management system in the labs allows teachers to monitor student progress, assess their understanding and provide assistance when needed, and has allowed a transformation of the way in which languages are taught in the following respects:

• by enabling students to gain access to specialist material in the second language as well as  a wider range of language content in a variety of media i.e. video, audio, text (often combined)
• by providing tools to develop new resources and revitalise existing resources through digitisation
• by fundamentally changing the way students receive information in class, freeing up teachers to monitor progress more closely so that problems can be identified and appropriate, timely, individual assistance provided. This has been particularly useful in the teaching of interpreting and listening comprehension.

The labs are linked to a wider supportive learning environment. Materials and software used in class under teacher/tutor direction are made available to students for independent study, through WebCT or the Multimedia Resource Unit (MMRU). Language students benefit from bespoke resources that CEMLL has developed (mostly quickly and cheaply) to bridge gaps in provision and lessen dependence on commercially-produced software and materials, often unsuitable for third level language programmes.

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