Development of autonomous learning skills and the use of multimedia technologies in English classroom

Abstract

In recent years, multimedia technologies have greatly influenced the conceptions of language teaching and learning, especially the change of the student and teacher’s roles. Consequently, today learners' autonomy is a high priority in the new education system. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of multimedia technologies in developing students’ autonomy and functional literacy in reading in English classrooms. The data were collected through questionnaires and observation conducted with the teaching staff of rural schools. In addition, to understand teachers’ perspectives, experience, and practice a series of seminars were organized and conducted with the teaching staff. Teachers were encouraged to nurture their students' autonomy by creating reading tasks and uploading their materials on the multimedia learning platform during the practical part of the seminars. The findings of this study showed that using multimedia technologies can open a new path for fostering students’ autonomous learning abilities as well as functional literacy. Furthermore, the seminars served as valuable forums for educators to exchange insights and best practices, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to pedagogical innovation. The findings underscored the importance of providing educators with ongoing support and resources to effectively integrate multimedia tools into their teaching practices.