2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Interactions between language learner emotion, feeling and identity
| Project/Area Number |
19K13258
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| Research Institution | Gunma University |
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Principal Investigator |
SAMPSON RICHARD 群馬大学, 大学教育・学生支援機構, 准教授 (50585320)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | Emotions / Feelings / Identity / Language learning / Complexity theory / Humanistic education / Action research / Case study |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
During AY2019 I conducted a review of literature from language learning psychology (especially emotion/feelings and identity), humanistic education and psychology, and complex systems theory. I was able to develop a number of data collection methods for implementation as humanistic classroom language learning activities. These activities were mostly sourced from language learning activity books and adapted to my context. The methods were piloted and data collected in two different classes in the second semester of AY2019, and further refined in preparation for data-collection in AY2020. Initial data analysis is ongoing using data collected from these classes. Initial transcription of some of the video-recorded group activities is ongoing, having commenced with the efforts of a research assistant. Moreover, theoretical implications of complexity theory were presented at the AY2019 ETRA Conference in Taiwan, and the AY2019 Applied Linguistics Conference in Perth, Australia, to gain feedback from language teaching professionals and academics. In particular, feedback from participants at the ETRA conference in Taiwan was extremely positive, leading to many detailed discussions that further pushed forward my own thinking about how to draw on complexity perspectives.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The development and piloting of data collection methods went smoothly. Due to the logistics of setting up the 360-degree video cameras every lesson (and the chance happening that I was assigned to an extremely cramped classroom that made it difficult to set these up easily), the video-recording of pairs/small groups was conducted only intermittently. Other lessons were simply recorded as a whole class. Additionally, due to the close proximity of student groups, there is quite a lot of noise from other groups t hat interferes with the quality of the audio for each group video. This is just something that could not be helped, although it suggests that in the future, if data is collected again, then the groups should be further spread. It also appears that implementation of the initially-planned focus group sessions with student groups may be difficult to conduct given the scheduling realities for students. As a result, I piloted a different way of collecting data similar to focus groups in the form of student discussions around reflective poster presentations.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Due to the widespread problems in the world at the moment with the novel Coronavirus, resultant lockdown and restrictions on travel, as well as the shift by the principal researcher to a different university, the research plan needs to be adapted for the coming year (at least). The data initially collected in pilot form will be more thoroughly analyzed in a case-study form. Additionally, the principal researcher is investigating the possibility of conducting data-collection through two of his online classes at the new research institution. Finally, conferences that the principal researcher was due to present at in AY2020 have been cancelled or rescheduled to AY2021.
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| Causes of Carryover |
One of the main reasons for this amount being surplus concerns the 360° video cameras: Although I had a stock of such video cameras (meeting recorders) from previous research, I had intended to buy new video cameras as I had anticipated the advance in technology would make new cameras more functional, and less imposing in the classroom. However, upon further investigation (and in fact buying one new video camera that seemed to have the most potential), I in fact discovered that my existing stock of video cameras was more useful in the context of this research. I hence also did not buy stereo microphones. As for my plan to use these funds: I will continue to investigate 360° cameras. However, due to the current situation with the spread of Coronavirus, it is unclear as to whether there will be stocks of such equipment available for purchase this academic year at all. Moreover, the academic conferences at which I had intended to present have all been cancelled or postponed. Hence, expenditure for the coming year is in doubt also.
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