Information Technology and Language Development. Occasional Paper InTER/10/89.

This report of a seminar on information technology (IT) and language development begins by presenting background on language skills and information technology in order to define the scope of the topic. The report then pulls together and elaborates on the output of the seminar. The first section discusses media-centered issues, including the design of new media and the exploitation of media. Learner-centered issues covered in the next section encompass cognitive questions, including applications of IT as a support environment for psycholinguistic development and as a domain for new linguistic cognitions; and social questions. The third section deals with institutional issues, including questions of language and curriculum policy and questions concerning classroom practice. The conclusion identifies topics for future research in several areas: (1) the interaction of linguistic theory, IT design, and applied pedagogical issues; (2) the role of IT in individual language development; (3) social aspects of IT use; (4) IT and curriculum policy; (5) classroom practice with IT; and (6) monitoring individual use. A list of seminar participants is included. (89 references) (MES)