The role of digital video media in second language listening ...

this is so, aspects of support are likely to be highlighted in verbal report protocols.Finally, Kirby (1993) recognises that individual differences may influence the abilityof a videotext to ‘support’ comprehension and thus alert the second languageresearcher to maintain a close look at ability and factors of background knowledgewithin an investigation.Wetzel et al (1994, pp. 61–62) point to ways the inclusion of visual materials mayhelp comprehension. One way visual materials may help is by illustrating abstractconcepts within spatial-structural relationships in a concrete way that assists theunderstanding of difficult material. Secondly, visual material may offer the learner achance to obtain initial organisational assistance that may assist in the constructionof a mental model that may otherwise by difficult to garner from text alone. Finally,of particular relevance to second language contexts, visual materials “may offersome benefits to learners with lesser skills, abilities, or prior knowledge” (Wetzel etal., 1994, p. 62).Approaches to second language listening researchAs Clark and Salomon (1986) point out “the recent explosion of interest in thecomputer as an instructional tool requires that we examine lessons learned frommore veteran media and apply them to the study of new ones” (p. 464).Accordingly, this section of the chapter examines literature related to investigationsof analogue video media in second language settings. Particular attention is directedto the methodologies employed in these studies.Comparative media studiesThough a prevelant means of conducting investigations regarding video-mediatedlistening comprehesion, the comparison of video to another medium (usuallyaudiotape) is problematic.28