Research Information System
in: Autonomy Support Beyond the Language Learning Classroom: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective, Jo Mynard,Scott J. Shelton-Strong, Editor, Multilingual Matters & Channel View Publications , London, pp.47-68, 2022
The latest reports on digital media indicate that we are much
more connected than ever before as information and communication
technology tools rapidly advance and internet use is more prevalent. The
current digital population of 4.54 billion has already surpassed 60% of
the global population, with nearly 4 billion people using smartphones
in daily life; furthermore, the digital population’s average social media
usage has reached more than two hours per day (Clements, 2020;
Kemp, 2020). These exponentially growing trends predict that we will
spend much more time daily accessing digital media and experience
fundamental changes in educational paradigms, as in all aspects of life in
this new digital era (Dincer, 2020). Given the abundance of digital tools,
we as language teachers and educators should become more inclined to
use digital tools for language learning (LL) purposes. Understanding
successful language learners’ practices with technology beyond the
classroom is important in planning more relevant teaching for our
students in the digital era.