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In:Technology and Instructed Second Language Acquisition: Connecting research and pedagogy
Edited by Shawn Loewen, Frederick J. Poole, Hyun-Bin Hwang and Matthew D. Coss
[Language Learning & Language Teaching 63] 2025
► pp. 16–44

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Chapter 1
Is technology research ready to inform L2 pedagogy?

A systematic evaluation of practitioner relevance in CALL-ISLA research

 | Gyeongsang National University
 | University of Alabama
Published online: 27 October 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.63.01hwa
Abstract
In this chapter, we systematically examine studies at the intersection of CALL and ISLA, aiming to determine how effectively these studies support L2 practitioners in making informed decisions about using technology in their classrooms. Our review, which includes 105 studies from four major CALL journals, assesses their practical relevance by focusing on transferability, informativeness, and implementability. Notably, we found that CALL-ISLA research has predominantly centered on adult L2 learners of English, yet only a small portion of CALL-ISLA studies offer actionable insights for L2 pedagogy. Additionally, many studies use technology that requires considerable effort from practitioners to integrate it into their everyday practices. Consequently, CALL-ISLA research makes limited contributions to L2 practice. Based on our findings, we advocate for more practitioner-responsive research. Ultimately, we suggest that CALL-ISLA studies should be more informed by L2 practitioners’ pedagogical concerns and contexts to enhance practical relevance of CALL-ISLA study to classrooms.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • To what extent is pedagogy foregrounded in CALL-ISLA research?
  • Conceptualizing practitioner relevance
    • Transferability
    • Informativeness
    • Implementability
  • Goals of the study
  • Method
    • Study inclusion
    • Data coding
    • PI Informativeness
    • Implementability
    • Analysis
  • Results
    • RQ1: How transferable are the findings of recent CALL-ISLA research?
    • RQ2: How practical is the implementation of recent CALL-ISLA research?
    • RQ3: How informative are the pedagogical implications of recent CALL-ISLA research?
    • RQ4: What emergent patterns can be found among features related to practitioner relevance in recent CALL-ISLA research?
  • Reflections on the current state of CALL-ISLA research
  • Towards practitioner-responsive CALL-ISLA research
    • Suggestions for increased relevance of CALL-ISLA research
  • Conclusion
  • Generative AI use acknowledgement
  • Acknowledgements
  • Note
  • References
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