SMARTCLASS SOFTWARE DESIGN AND ITS IMPACTS ON LEARNING IN INTERPRETING CLASSES: STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS

Abstract

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is not a trend; it has become practice in various contexts of language teaching and learning. However, CALL
practices these days do not isolate the use of computers from the internet and various educational software and applications. This paper is to explore student
perceptions on Smartclass software (SCS) design and its impacts on learning in interpreting classes of English and Korean major students at a university in
Vietnam. Then a comparison between student perceptions of these two majors was also recorded. Data were collected from (1) survey questionnaires with 52
English major students and 47 Korean major ones who firstly used SCS in their basic interpreting course; and (2) three focus group interviews with 18 students,
9 from each major. The findings revealed students’ overall positive evaluation of SCS design and its impacts on learning in interpreting classes. However, different
perceptions of English and Korean major students were discussed about SCS in terms of its design and impacts on learning in interpreting classes. Pedagogical
implications were also suggested.