Transformed telepresence and its association with learning in computer-supported collaborative learning: a case study in English learning and its evaluation

ABSTRACTTelepresence has been playing an important role in a mediated learning environment. However, the current design of telepresence seems to be dominated by the emulation of physical human presence. With reference to social constructivism learning and the recognition of individuals as intelligent entities, this study explored the transformation of telepresence and its association with learning. A sample practice was performed and evaluated to understand students' response toward the transformed telepresence. The results revealed that students recognized the presence of their peers in the transformed telepresence, and this enhanced their interest in the related activity conducted in the mediated learning environment. More importantly, students reported various cognitive processes of learning and new thoughts regarding the subject content. The findings of this study suggest that transformed telepresence creates a specific medium for human expression with particular properties and powers. This medium offers a new aspect of collaboration among participants for enhancing language learning.KEYWORDS: Cooperative/collaborative learningtelepresencemobile learning Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.Notes on contributorsYu-Liang Ting is currently teaching at the Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan. He acquired his Ph.D degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1999. His major research interests are mobile learning and its innovative design in science and technology learning, and the use of information and communication technology in facilitating English as foreign language learning.Yaming Tai is an associate professor of Department of Children English Education at National Taipei University of Education, Taiwan. Her recent research focuses on EFL teacher training and integration of technology into teaching English as a foreign language.Jun-Horng Chen received his B.S. degree in Electronic Engineering from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, in 1991, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan University, Taiwan, in 1993 and 2005 respectively. He is currently an Associate Professor of the Communication Engineering Department, Oriental Institute of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan. His research interests include digital image processing, pattern recognition, and wireless communication.