Revival of Paper: Booklets and Textbooks in Collaborative Classroom Networks

HINKELMAN, Don 2008 (JALT CALL)

Sapporo Gakuin University (JAPAN)
Time: Sunday, 11:20 to 12:00 in Room 635
Revival of Paper: Booklets and Textbooks in Collaborative Classroom Networks

The use of paper-based materials in online or blended classrooms is exploding, not disappearing as previously predicted for the electronic age. Why is this counter-inutuitive trend occurring? This paper will present a theoretical discussion on the role of paper in blended language learning environments. Based on a three year case study across two Japanese universities, the author investigates how paper was used as an integrated (not parallel) tool or interface to various activities presented face-to-face and online. Using a qualitative analysis procedure, three different modes of paper-based media emerged that teachers configured for their activities:
1. Booklets of forms and handouts created by the teacher
2. Commercially-published textbooks with online components
3. Self-published textbooks using Lulu or other online printing systems
Photos of student use of paper, samples of each mode and the reasons for use, as articulated by teachers, will be presented. Finally, another interesting trend was observed—the “blended task”. In each site, teachers often constructed tasks which switched repeatedly between a paper-based form, face-to-face interaction, and online publishing or referencing. This unusual development was analysed using a socio-cultural framework called actor-network theory. The conclusion of this study is that the use of paper was not only increasing in the case study environments, but also that the design, operation, and ownership of the materials was changing due to changes in technological flexibility and open rules for materials exchange. Implications for classroom teaching of foreign languages will be outlined and comments by participants encouraged.