CARET: A Collaborative Approach To Authentic EFL Text Reading Via Computer-Aided Study

The overall goal of CARET, a "Collaborative Resource-Assisted Reading of Enriched Texts" CALL program, is to maximize the effectiveness of the computer-based classroom, utilizing the model of collaborative EFL learning. CARET has been designed to, 1) accelerate the rate of lexical acquisition and comprehension of authentic texts, by 2) utilizing real-time student collaboration as a means of classroom study through the use of 3) a distributed server-based database in the computer- based classroom, where 4) students can work in teams to source vocabulary and usage of the target academic language using 5) online corpus-collocation and other tools integrated into the program. 6) Teachers can download and analyze texts, grading for difficulty and vocabulary types. The program 7) keeps track of individual contributions, so that work can be documented for 8) student grading. Considering the final form of these enriched text works, students will have created browser-loadable texts, enriched by (lexemic) vocabulary translation and with example sentences applying the new vocabulary. Definitions and usage examples can be derived from various corpora. Present students become a resource for future students, as completed texts can be used in future classes. Thus, a permanent resource-database of bilingual educational materials can be developed, tailored to student needs and ability.