An evaluation of a specialized portable system for tertiary distance teaching of ESOL

Abstract

This paper reports on the piloting in Thailand of a prototype English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learning appliance. Two evaluations were held with volunteers from a Thai open university. The participants worked through a set of scenarios designed to evaluate their ability to use all the principal features of the appliance while remaining focused on the learning content. The results confirmed the feasibility and utility of the concept of a learning appliance for ESOL, while highlighting the importance of a close match between the learning content and the forms in which the content is presented. Lessons were also learnt about the special challenges involved when evaluating software across multiple cultures and countries.