Proving IT Works

Abstract

This paper deals with the assessment of the effects of instructional technology (IT) on the foreign language curriculum. It is intended to serve two purposes. First, it offers a general background to the evaluation of IT, which is essential knowledge for anyone involved in the integration of IT into their courses. Second, it seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the evaluation parameters that need to be taken into consideration when establishing the infrastructure for the on-going assessment of IT. While giving due consideration to evaluating the effectiveness of CALL on learning outcomes, it is proposed that we need to take a broader view of the assessment of IT, one which goes beyond its defensive justification and promotion. In particular, it is argued that we need to move away from a technocentric assessment of IT to one which focuses on how IT contributes to realizing our pedagogical goals and objectives.