Computers and learner autonomy : trends and issues

This paper reports on a study into the practicesand perceptions of Thai and Emerati universitystudents in their use of computer-based materials(CbMs) beyond the classroom, including in Self AccessCentres (SACs). Questionnaires and semi-structuredinterviews in focus groups and one-to-one wereutilised to gather information. The data suggeststhat students made regular and extensive use of awide range of materials in both their native languageand the English language. Students recognised theimportance of accessing and transmitting informationin the English language. They appeared to makeconsiderable use of CbMs for exposure to and theunconscious acquisition of the English language,particularly beyond a SAC. Where conscious learningof English was reported the role of SACs appearsto be highly significant. The paper concludes byproposing that we need to go beyond traditionalframeworks of computer-assisted language learning(CALL) for understanding and investigating the roleof technology in language pedagogy and that theterm mobile assisted language use (MALU) may bemore appropriate