Virtual environments and meaningful english language learning as second language L2 in high school students: a case study

Abstract

The research focused on analyzing the virtual environments’ elements and their influence on the English language’ significant learning in students aged 15 to 16 years of high school fifth year of an Educational Institution in the Ambato city, Ecuador. Current educational practices impose changes and challenges necessary for the improvement of the teaching-learning process, which networked applications become learning places such as: "Edmodo". The virtual environment’ main components analyzed are: content management, planning and mapping of the curriculum, participation and administration of students, communication and collaboration, communication in real time. On the other hand, the activities to generate meaningful learning must involve and support combinations of: active, constructive, intentional, authentic and cooperative learning. This information was collected through the survey technique, raised both towards the authorities, teachers and students. Subsequently, the statistical analysis of Chi square was used to detect significant results. Thus, these results showed that most of the students exhibit a lack of knowledge on virtual environments and consider that the use of this alternative educational pedagogical technology would help to improve the Meaningful Learning process in students.