The relation between the implementation of learning objects and the listening skills in students of BA in Spanish and English

Abstract

Learning objects (LOs) are materials designed to be self-contained digital instructional units that can be combined to create a variety of learning experiences. However, very few Higher education institutions in Colombia are using LOs for teaching purposes. Universidad Popular del Cesar is one of those educational institutions where LOs had been implemented without knowing how meaningful or inadequate its use is. Hence, the aim of this study is to establish the relation between the implementation of LOs and the development of listening skills in a group of students at this university. This qualitative investigation is nourished by case study methodology where 18 BA in Spanish and English students had an active role in using LOs to enhance their listening skills. The results of this research reveal that since English lab teacher mediation was accurate to the target lesson, the chosen group of students derived benefit from using LOs. Nonetheless, learners also experienced some difficulties in implementing LOs such as the low quality of Internet connection among other technical trouble. It is worth stating that the results of this research will be integrated to the curriculum of the BA in Spanish and English program at Universidad Popular del Cesar in order to enhance the academic processes by improving the communicative competence as well as the coherence regarding the way these target subjects work.