An action research on the establishment of a Community of Practice on technology-enhanced language learning and teaching at tertiary level

Abstract

This study aims to explore how an effective cross-institutional Community of Practice (CoP) can be established to promote technology-enhanced language learning and teaching (TeLL&T) at tertiary level, as there is an urgent need for establishing such CoPs due to the large-scale implementation of technology-enhanced language learning and teaching in recent years. In this study, an action research design was adopted, and a five-stage procedure has been identified for the establishment of the CoP on TeLL&T: (1) Investigation of students’ and teachers’ needs in TeLL&T through surveys and interviews; (2) Identifying a critical mass to form the CoP; (3) Constructing the CoP website to provide a platform with rich TeLL&T resources; (4) University students and teachers sharing their good practices of TeLL&T through various means; (5) Evaluation of the CoP activities. Different evaluation surveys were conducted among university students and teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of the CoP activities. Findings of evaluation surveys suggest that the CoP activities were well received. This study also illustrated the challenges and solutions of creating and maintaining a substantial CoP on TeLL&T. It is hoped that the findings will shed some light on how to establish an effective CoP on TeLL&T at tertiary level.