Self-Assessment and immediate feedback in language learning. 

Krystalli, P., & Arvanitis, P. (2018). Self-Assessment and immediate feedback in language learning. Proceedings of 11th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, (ICERI 2018). Seville 12-14/11/2018, (pp. 2066-2072). Seville, Spain: International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED). ISBN: 978-84-09-05948-5

 Researches have proven that self-assessment is a key learning strategy for autonomous language learning, as it provides information that can change goals, strategies, and effort sharing. In language learning, language competence is linked to the presence and degree of autonomy. The autonomous learner must be able to assess the quality of the methods used, control the outcome of his /her actions in order to determine what real goals he/she has achieved. Therefore, self-assessment is a process that allows the learner to judge both the outcome of his or her effort and the quality of the acquired knowledge in relation to predetermined goals. Self-assessment in online activities is ensured by immediate and informative feedback. To provide constant challenge and motivation feedback must be: a) clear; b) frequent; c) constructive; and d) encouraging.

Scenario-based digital conversational simulation software in the training of future language teachers in higher education. An empirical approach

Arvanitis, P. (2018). Scenario-based digital conversational simulation software in the training of future language teachers in higher education. An empirical approach. Proceedings of 11th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, (ICERI 2018). Seville 12-14/11/2018, (pp. 9122-9126). Seville, Spain: International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED). ISBN: 978-84-09-05948-5

 This paper presents a recently conducted empirical course in the school of French of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, that aimed to introduce the use of Scenario-Based Digital Conversation Simulation Software in the education of future language teachers in a higher education class. The early digital adulthood of today’s language learners, requires, in the field of teaching a foreign language, language learning digital tools that are, not only suitable to their needs but capable to assist them to construct personal technology-enhanced language learning experiences. From a language teacher’s perspective, the right selection and use of these ICT software tools become an important issue, therefore any future professor must be familiar with these, in order to increase motivation and guide their students through an interesting process of language acquisition.

Tablets as instructional tools in the foreign language classroom: the teacher perspective

Arvanitis Panagiotis, Krystalli Penelopi, Panagiotidis Panagiotis (2016). 9th International Conference of Education, Research And Innovation, Seville - Spain, ICERI 2016, 14/11/2016-16/11/2016, ICERI2016 Proceedings [IATED Academy Spain], ISSN:2340-1095, ISBN-13:978-84-617-5895-1, 2016.

Theoretical and empirical research, carried out over the last decade, argues that mobile assisted language learning (MALL) can support foreign language learning in new ways, both inside and outside the classroom. New educational technologies and software have facilitated the creation of MALL applications especially for tablets. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies are carried out looking at the use of tablets from a variety of angles in the foreign language classroom as it is expected to have a great influence on the performance of learners. Teachers can also play an important role in the successful introduction and use of tablets in the classroom. This study sought to examine both pre- and in-service teachers’ perceptions of using tablets in the foreign language classroom. Based on the literature review an online questionnaire was developed, with two types of Closed-Ended Questions, Multiple choice questions and Likert scaled questions, in order to examine the teachers’ views in Greece. 285 participants (132 in-service and 153 pre-service teachers) completed the survey. The results, presented thoroughly in this article, refer to the participants’ opinion regarding the use of the tablet as an educational tool, the assets or/and drawbacks of its use as well as its pedagogical application and the way it can be used in a foreign language classroom. The present paper highlights also the concept of MALL, the characteristics and the different types of the pedagogical use of tablets.

Keywords: foreign language teaching and learning, MALL, teachers’ perception, tablets.

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Applications for Mobile Assisted Language Learning: A current field research

Arvanitis Panagiotis, Krystalli Penelopi, Panagiotidis Panagiotis (2016). 10th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia- Spain, 07/03/2016-09/03/2016, CD-ROM, INTED2016 Proceedings. p.7645-7651, ISBN: 978-84-608-5617-7, ISSN: 2340-1079

 During the last few years, Mobile Learning (m-Learning) has increasingly attracted the attention of scholars. m-Learning is defined as the use of mobile devices in learning such as mobile phones (smartphones), tablet PCs, pocket PCs and personal digital assistants PDAs. Several studies have pointed out that m-Learning is an interactive type of technology-based learning that can enhance students’ motivation. The emergence of new technological equipment and software has facilitated the creation and development of effective methods and materials for mobile assisted language learning (MALL) which is a specialization of mobile learning (m-Learning).

This paper focuses on the use and effectiveness of MALL in second and foreign language (L2) education and on the potential of mobile devices as effective tools for delivering language learning materials to the students in terms of gained linguistic knowledge and skills. To this end, we have carried out a field research on a sample of 50 applications for L2 learning, created for mobile devices, focusing on the most popular ones: smartphones and tablets. In particular, using the descriptors proposed by the Common European Framework (CEFR), we made an effort towards determining whether these applications contain activities that might successfully support collaborative reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and language acquisition in more general terms. Based on the findings we will suggest areas for further research.

Keywords: Mobile assisted language learning, language learning, language activities, foreign language.

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or at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki-Digital repository

Interdisciplinarity in virtual worlds: teaching approaches for acquiring a language-culture.

Arvanitis Panagiotis, Panagiotidis Panagiotis, Kigitsioglou-Vlachou Aikaterini (2014). 7th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville - Spain, 17/11/2014-19/11/2014, CD-ROM, ICERI2014 Proceedings. p.3892-3901.

Virtual Worlds are among the fastest growing areas of web 2.0, as they dispose characteristics that promote the development of all kinds of applications not only for communication and entertainment, but for education, as well. This work highlights the importance of Virtual Worlds, their potential and their contribution to foreign language education and explores the perspectives for further exploitation. Virtual Worlds can be an important tool for the cooperative learning of a foreign language and culture, and can facilitate the acquisition of the target language, while also promoting interdisciplinarity through their multi-potential dimension. The present paper presents implementations of the use of Virtual Worlds for foreign language education through interdisciplinary approaches with particular emphasis on foreign language learning and culture.

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or at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki-Digital repository

"Speech Acts in a Virtual World: Design and Implementation". In  L. Bradley & S. Thouësny (eds)
20 Years of EUROCALL: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future, Research-publishing.net, Dublin Ireland, ISBN: 978-1-908416-13-1, DOI: 10.14705/rpnet.2013.000132

In the first half of the twentieth century, notions such as linguistic structures and student’s linguistic capacity were the traditional elements of any language teaching. With the significant contribution of Halliday and Hymes these notions are yielding their place to the functional use of language and how language is being shaped by the different communicative situations. This new, communicative approach of teaching a foreign language, had led the redefinition of learning objectives and general principles of the teaching act.

"Augmented Reality in Language teaching and learning?". Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (EDULEARN12), L. Gómez Chova, I. Candel Torres, A. López Martínez (eds). 
ISBN: 978-84-695-3491-5. London: International Association of Technology, Education and Development (IATED), 2012.

In recent years, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) has become widespread in second language teaching and learning contexts. The language teaching and learning processes encompasses and requires the use of authentic language multimedia and multimodal materials such as text, audio, video and images. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (abbreviated as CEFR), is widely adopted and accepted as the European standard for teaching and learning foreign languages. It’s implementation promote the linguistic diversity within the European Union and additionally support the use of ICT as networks and digital tools at the service of teaching / learning foreign languages. In this context, the use of new technologies has become a key factor.

"An assessment tool for online language learning computer games"
P. Arvanitis, P. Krystalli, P. Panagiotidis, 2012
Proceedings of London International Conference on Education (LICE 2012).
London 2012

The evolution of technology and the strong belief that computer games promote learning contributed to the increase of educational computer games available online in the field of teaching and learning a foreign language.