Computer information systems and learner independence - a word of caution

Abstract

Both economic pressure - the need to accommodate ever greater numbers of foreign language learners, the increasing demand for distance education - and the educational desirability of self-directed learning have stimulated a great surge of research and practical interest in learner autonomy. And there is little doubt that information technology will be called upon, is already being called upon, to play a major role in the teaching profession's efforts to encourage foreign language learners towards self-reliance and to capitalize on the present appeal of computers. But what do we mean by ‘self-reliance’. What do we mean by ‘autonomy’? And what is the relationship between computer-induced motivation and learning?