Effectiveness of the Integration of ICT Tools and Activities to Foster Awareness as the First Stage to Reach Learning Autonomy

Abstract

This article presents an action research study which integrated activities within two core subjects during one academic semester with first semester English language students. The students were guided through decision making, independent practice, and the development of metacognitive processes to study English using ICT tools. They were also expected to actively engage in developing their awareness, which is considered to be a key to self-regulated learning and the basis for autonomous attitudes and behaviors. Data was gathered through students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the activities, reflections, and students performances in their English class. The outcomes reveal that integrating the use of metacognitive control strategies and independent activities enhanced by the use of ICT within the context of basic-level language learning has a positive impact on students’ performance. It not only contributes to the development of student’s language proficiency, but also provides them with insights about themselves as learners. This experience can also be transferred to other aspects of students’ academic lives and thus play a role in achieving lifelong learning. The approach undertaken during this experience is shown to enhance student understanding in a way which is consistent with sociocultural theories of learning.