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Ya-Chun Shih received her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Curriculum and Instruction (Bilingual Education emphasis) from Pennsylvania State University in 1997 and 2000 respectively. In 2001, Dr. Shih joined the faculty of National Hualien University of Education, located near the world-famous Taroko Gorge, as Assistant Professor of English Language Teaching. In 2009, the University was renamed as National Dong Hwa University. She is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of English at National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan and one of the computer-assisted language learning (CALL) practitioners. She has pursued a wide range of technology supported language learning issues, including serving as an instructor, instructional designer, researcher, journal reviewer, guest speaker, advisor and committee member on related issues.
Under Dr. Shih¡¦s leadership, the VEC3D (3D Virtual English Classroom), an interdisciplinary research team of instructional designers and computer science experts, designed and developed a variety of innovative language learning platforms. The VEC3D innovation started with an inspired idea for contextual language learning. Dr. Shih and her research team are expanding beyond the traditional language learning environments and methods by incorporating technology into daily lessons and communicative activities. Her current research focuses on integrating virtual reality technologies and language learning in education. She has investigated the effect of virtual reality assisted language learning (VRALL) on students¡¦ achievement of English as a foreign language. She has also explored issues related to the use of 3D collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) within a social and cultural context. The central research issues for the VEC3D project include research on (non)verbal communication, developing communicative competence and cultural awareness.
TEL: +886-3-8905302
FAX: +886-3-8905290
Email: yachunshih@gms.ndhu.edu.tw
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