%0 Journal Article
%T Scaffolding Engagement in the Immersive t-MALL Classroom
%A C¨¦cile Gabarre
%A Serge Gabarre
%A Rosseni Din
%A Parilah Shah
%A Aidah Abdul Karim
%J Creative Education
%P 349-363
%@ 2151-4771
%D 2016
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ce.2016.72035
%X This paper focuses on engagement dynamics among foreign language students in coping within an immersive pedagogy in a tablet mobile assisted language learning (t-MALL) classroom ecology. This qualitative action research was implemented with 24 second-year undergraduates majoring in French as a foreign language in a Malaysian university. The pedagogical implementation included a task-based learning approach delivered according to personalized, meaningful and learner- controlled learning principles. In accordance with social constructivist theory, the implementation emphasized student-centered and controlled learning. Scaffolding choices involved instructor as well as peer and technological support in an immersive blended learning environment sustained with Facebook groups. The learners¡¯ engagement was investigated according to grounded theory¡¯s procedures. The learners¡¯ perceptions of classroom learning processes were triangulated with the instructors¡¯ reflections with a three-level coding applied to the constant comparative method of analysis. Findings supported the use of t-MALL as sustaining engagement in immersive learning environments. The learner-centered and controlled approach allowed just-in time triadic scaffolding which contributed to raising active participation throughout the tasks. The implementation of t-MALL enhanced the students¡¯ perceptions of the learning environment which unleashed their willingness-to-communicate in the target language. Reaching volition further contributed to enhancing the students¡¯ motivational factors of engagement towards acquisition and self-regulated learning. The discussion imparts recommendations and best practices towards efficient scaffolding for engaged language learning in immersive and participatory environments.
%K Action Research
%K Classroom Engagement
%K Language Acquisition
%K Tablet Computers
%K MALL
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=64046