Involving Students Into The Construction Of Web-based Language Learning Environment

The application of computer technology and the Internet breaks the limits of traditional classroom teaching in that the Internet brings a great deal of authentic and lively language learning materials and constitutes a natural and beneficial environment for language learning. Yet it is language learners' perception and exploitation of the web-based language learning environment that directly influence their development of learning skills and learning efficiency.This research is an action research in nature. The researcher, based on social constructivism, has tried to involve the learners in the construction of web-based learning environment by asking them to register and maintain a class email box (CEB) on the Internet. Two questionnaires, combined with analyses of email-records of the CEB and excerpts of the students' diaries, were used to investigate the students' responses to the CEB and the changes in their belief systems.Research results show that almost all the students in the class have been actively involved in the CEB activity—the construction of their own learning environment and that their perception of web-based language learning environment has been greatly improved. Besides, some welcome changes have taken place in the learners' belief systems. Through constructing their own learning environment, they have developed personally relevant knowledge and fostered learners' autonomy.The researcher also has tried to apply the powerful and descriptive theory—Activity Theory to analyze the present research and suggested that the CEB will continue to develop and form an even larger activity system with other CEBs so as to achieve a sustainable activity system and break the limits of school education. In the end, some indications about teaching in web-based learning environment are also presented.