FORMAR E TRANSFORMAR: OBJETOS DIGITAIS DE APRENDIZAGEM PARA AULAS DE PORTUGUÊS

Abstract

The use of digital learning objects in a virtual classroom can be seen as a good strategy for the teaching of the Portuguese language, considering that if tools and students are no longer the same, there is no reason to keep the same methods. Thus, in an online writing course, some learning objects were prepared later used as data in this investigation and based on students needs analysis. The idea to choose a Learning Management System (LMS) to conduct the investigation is in part justified because online communication occurs solely through the written medium, which forces participants to show themselves and their needs in terms of formal language. The assumption is that these subjects, in a digital context, tend to put meaning over form, providing a genuine environment for the grammar topics to be treated. The main objective in this study is to investigate the use of digital learning objects in the development of writing skills for university students. Specific objectives include not only a description of learning objects as mediational means, in Vygotsky s tradition, but also an evaluation of their integration with other activities in an LMS environment, by analyzing students reaction to all these activities and examining their postings and comments. The results suggest that by starting from students needs, motivation is assured, the resources of online environment are more successfully used and the selected grammar topics become relevant for the students