Significant factors in the adoption of electronic mail applications by foreign language educators

Abstract

<p>Computer-based technology with its many applications is being regularly used by our society, and is gradually becoming integrated into schools. Computer use in foreign language education, although shown to support second language acquisition, does not, however, appear to be keeping up with that of many other disciplines;This study is comprised of three papers. The first paper, "Technology in Foreign Language Education: Potential Challenges and Possible Solutions," presents a description foreign language educators' use of computer technologies and advantages of their use of electronic mail. The second paper, "Factors that Affect the Adoption and Use of Electronic Mail by K-12 Foreign Language Educators," compares questionnaire responses on electronic mail use by K-12 foreign language teachers instructed to use electronic mail during summer workshops and foreign language teachers who did not participate in the workshops. The third paper, "Post-Institute Connections: Implementation and Outcomes of a Diffusion-Based Electronic Mail Instructional Model" describes the diffusion-based instructional model and triangulates an evaluation of 759 participant electronic mail messages, a final evaluation report of the 1994 institutes, and data from the second paper;Results from this study suggest that diffusion-based electronic mail instruction presented during four summer foreign language workshops promoted electronic mail adoption by participants. The study describes a diffusion-based electronic mail instructional model that integrates the use of technology directly into the general curriculum of the workshop. Electronic mail was introduced to workshop participants to provide them with an efficient means to communicate with group members as they completed a post-institute collaborative project;Participants' motivation to establish an efficient means of communication assisted them in overcoming obstacles involved in setting up and learning to use an electronic mail account. Workshop electronic mail instruction and participants' desire to continue communication following the workshop were found to be a significant factor in their adoption. Other significant factors included their interest to use technology, electronic mail's efficiency as a communication medium, and the potential use of electronic mail with students. In-service education factors that participants considered significant included curriculum-oriented instruction.</p>