The Multimedia Adult English Learner Corpus (MAELC) is a
database of video of classroom interaction and
associated written materials collected as part of the
Lab School research project since 2001. At this time,
the corpus includes materials from four years of classes
from adult ESL classes from beginning to
upper-intermediate proficiency - more than 3600 hours of
classroom interaction recorded by six cameras and
multiple microphones.
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Highlights from the corpus: |
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Half of the recorded classes have been coded for
Participation Pattern and Activity and portions of
these classes have been transcribed, targeting student
language during Pair Work.
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Nearly 150 hours of student language have been
transcribed thus far.
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About 250 low-level students - with known background
characteristics - are transcribed in the corpus.
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Classroom talk from given students not transcribed is
easily located and may be transcribed.
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Copies of classroom written materials, student work,
teacher logs and teacher reflections have been scanned
and are also available.
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Many students were recorded several times per term and
often in consecutive terms in different levels.
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Video and associated written materials are currently
being collected from university-level Intensive
English Language Program classes.
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As the highlights show, MAELC is rich source of data for
several areas of research. The longitudinal nature of the
study with supporting written documents and in-home
interviews enables in-depth case studies of adult learners
of English. The recording techniques in the classroom (6
cameras and wireless microphones on two students in every
classroom) and data collection also allow for close
examinations of dyadic and small-group interactions.
Examinations of dyadic interaction can focus on
interactions between students from different first
language backgrounds as well as on developmental studies
of individual students who are recorded throughout several
terms of study. |
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As discussed in Reder, Harris, & Setzler, 2003, the Lab
School would like to share the extensive resources from
MAELC with interested researchers and teacher trainers.
Those interested should make inquiries to the Lab School
by e-mail:
classaction@pdx.edu |
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