Autonomous Learning In The Context Of Computer-based Multimedia College English Teaching And Learning

The swift development of multimedia technology is further promoting the College English Teaching reform. College English autonomous learning model, based on a combination of student-centered teaching concept with multimedia technology, is one of the most important developing trends in the process of the reform. This paper discusses the difference of student's autonomous learning ability and the teacher' role between new teaching model as stipulated in College English Curriculum Requirements and the traditional one. It investigates how multimedia technology provides the better autonomous learning environment for the learners and makes the computer-based multimedia College English Teaching Model facilitate the language learning more effectively.Based on theories of constructivism, humanism and cognitive psychology, a comparative survey study of 91 non-English major sophomores and 3 teachers at Dalian Maritime University was conducted by using questionnaire and interview. Group 1 includes 46 students who are participants of an autonomous learning program based on computer-based multimedia College English Teaching Model in the academic year of 2004-2006 at Dalian Maritime University. Group 2 includes 45 students exposed to the traditional model. In the process of data analysis, SPSS is employed for the quantitative analysis. The statistics show that the students under the new teaching model possess stronger autonomous learning ability and the teachers are confronted more challenges. However, the general autonomous learning ability of non-English majors at Dalian Maritime University is not so optimistic.This paper finally reveals some implications for effective autonomous learning in the new teaching model.