The accommodation of multilingualism through blended learning in two Information Technology classes
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Date
2013
Authors
Olivier, Jako
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Education, University of the Free State
Abstract
The South African society can be described as culturally diverse and multilingual.
However, despite the advantages of mother-tongue education, English is often chosen
as the language of learning and teaching at the cost of the other official languages.
This article proposes that multilingualism, through the use of languages other than
English in the classroom, could be accommodated through blended learning. Blended
learning refers to the blending of traditional instruction methods, such as face-to-face
instruction, with online learning. For example, through an evaluation of e-learning
tools, it was established that wikis could be used for this study. The empirical
research in this article focuses on the establishment and testing of a set of steps for
the accommodation of multilingualism by means of blended learning in the subject
Information Technology. The research took the form of a sequential embedded mixedmethods
design, and both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Based
on the literature and the empirical investigations, blended learning was implemented
through the use of a wiki at two high schools in the Free State province, and the
effectiveness of the intervention was tested through a quasi-experimental study.
In conclusion, it was found that multilingualism could be accommodated through
blended learning.
Description
Keywords
Multilingualism, Multicultural education, Blended learning, E-learning, Wiki, Online teaching and information technology
Citation
Olivier, J. (2013). The accommodation of multilingualism through blended learning in two Information Technology classes. Perspectives in Education, 31(4), 43-57.