Healey (2007) -- Reflection

Healey’s paper is discussed about autonomy in language learning based on the Oxford’s model (2003) which has four interrelated but differing perspectives.

~technical perspective~ focus on physical situation
According to the content and locus of control, there are four settings for self-directed leaning; such as, distance education/highly structured learning; CALL/accreditation and training; WebQuest/contract-based independent study; tandem learning project/highly self-directed learning. No matter the learning setting of content is fixed or variable, or the locus of control is more possessed by teacher or learner, it cannot be denied that the learning environment in nowadays is quite different. “Although not everyone may want to be immersed in technology, knowledge about and access to technology are a source of power in today’s world.” I think it is important to cultivate students' computer literacy to be not 'illiterate' in the future. And the ultimate principle is that teacher's primary role is assistant and facilitate.

~psychological perspective~ focus on characteristics of learners
Learning happens when students have purposes to learn. For example, they need to have interests/motivation, some control about their lerning progression, setting achivable goals not beyond their abilities and no fear of exposing themselves with technology. “Language poses special challenges to learners in that there is no clear path to mastery. Learner goals and learning styles are important factors.”

~sociocultural perspective~ focus on mediated learning
Learning comes from the interaction between experience and competence, which dovetails with Vygotsky's ZPD."Computers do not have true mutuality in engagement, cannot understand a community's shared enterprise, and cannot negotiate meaning to coproduce elements of the shared repertoire." Technology is useful since huamn uses it, or it is just hardware. Students are progressing through learning, either from teachers' guidance or peers' competition.

~political-critical perspective~ focus on ideologies, access, and power structure
"To be autonomous, learners need to know to query, find, and question what they find on the Internet, in software, and in print." This is a information-flooded society, especially various kinds of information on the Internet, and learning to inspect, analyze information whether true or false before making a decision is an important training for being autonomous.

"As teachers, we cannot create autonomy in learners, but we can do out best to think about the technical, psychological, sociocultural, and political aspects of learning and how CALL can be used to enable and enhance a learning environment conducive to autonomy."