Authors:
Pantelis M. Papadopoulos
1
;
Zeinab Ibrahim
1
and
Andreas Karatsolis
2
Affiliations:
1
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Qatar
;
2
Massachussetts Institute of Technology, United States
Keyword(s):
Early Childhood Education, Writing, Arabic Language Learning, Tabletop Surface Computers.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning Hardware and Software
;
e-Learning in Developing Countries
;
e-Learning Platforms
;
e-Learning Success Cases
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Pedagogy Enhancement with e-Learning
;
Simulation and Modeling
;
Simulation Tools and Platforms
;
Technology Enhanced Learning
;
Ubiquitous Learning
Abstract:
This paper presents initial results regarding writing activities in the context of the ALADDIN project. The goal of the project is to teach Modern Standard Arabic in 5-year-old kindergarten students in Qatar. A total of 18 students, enrolled in the ‘Arabic Class’, participated for 9 weeks in the activities of the project. All students were native speakers of the Qatari dialect. Learning activities involved both typical instructional methods, and the use of specifically designed tools for tabletop surface computers. The paper focuses on writing activities and on how the affordances of surface computers affected students’ performance and attitude towards the Arabic class and, consequently, the Arabic language.