Student perceptions of the success of an ipad based reading discussion project

STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF THE SUCCESS OF AN IPAD BASED

READING DISCUSSION PROJECT

Emily Saavedra & Dawn Murray

OUR CONTEXT: UAE

More than 800 faculty members

Higher Education Consortium in the UAE :

Higher Colleges Of Technology

Zayed University

United Arab Emirates University

14,000 students in the Foundation programs

20 campuses around the U.A.E.

OUR CONTEXT: HCT-DWC

Pre-Bachelor foundation language course

Need for development of academic thinking skills

Need for widening awareness of "glocal" issues

Traditional oral-based culture

Reluctant readers

THE READING DISCUSSION PROJECT

WHAT DID THE STUDENTS ACTUALLY DO?

Select text

Submit for approval

Highlight main idea(s) and supporting details

Identify key words to construct a glossary

Write IELTS- type questions based on the text

Write discussion questions based on the topic

WHAT STUDENTS SAY

Vocabulary improved

Organizational skills improved

Communicative skills improved

Perceived levels of self-confidence improved

WHAT THE DATA SHOWED

Self-perceived levels of confidence.

Value of creating, producing and utilizing peer created resources.

Topics of interest.

Skills-based improvement.

WHERE TO NOW?

CONTACTS