7.5 Recommendations for Educational Research and Development

The present study had a broad scope. As such, it did not allow for investigation into particular aspects or types of beliefs. It did not allow for investigation into the beliefs of particular groups or individuals. Instead, this study aimed to profile the beliefs of teachers of FSFL in general. However, the findings of this study indicate that our understanding about this subject might be deepened through investigations that are more focused than this study. At the same time, some of teachers’ beliefs uncovered in this study reveal that there are many areas related to use of OLEs for the teaching of French about which we know little and which would merit investigation. What follows are some areas which might be explored by researchers.

1. While some teachers’ beliefs indicated a comfort level with use of OLEs in spite of the present dominance of the Internet by English sites, other beliefs highlighted problems and concerns related to the use of OLEs because of the presence of English. Beliefs on this subject of use of English in the teaching of FSFL using OLEs might therefore be investigated further.
2. Many beliefs reflected a low comfort level with the openness of OLEs, for example, in relation to control and monitoring. Research could be conducted into beliefs related to the use of Intranets for dedicated use by FSFL teachers and students.
3. Collaborative action research studies might highlight the experiences of those who have been successful in their attempts to exploit OLEs for the teaching of FSFL so that teachers can have concrete examples of ways in which particular pedagogies combine with FSFL in online learning environments.
4. Investigators can explore the types of beliefs that are more likely to conflict, the situations which give rise to conflict as well as the processes that provide the most effective means of reconciling beliefs.
5. Longitudinal studies of groups of teachers exposed to OLEs may provide insight into dynamics of beliefs. Do some beliefs shift more easily than others? Which beliefs are more resistant to change? What sort of direct intervention, for example in the form of training, would be best suited to affecting change in beliefs?
6. Collaborative action research projects may be particularly well-suited to understanding the dynamics of change in beliefs while, at the same time, providing an impetus to actually effectuate change.
7. Research into the potential of OLEs to promote the development of listening and speaking skills might prove to be of practical use to teachers of FSFL.
8. There needs to be a better understanding of issues related to online navigation by students and teachers. What skills and strategies might prove more successful than others?
9. Research can also differentiate between beliefs at the different levels of primary, elementary and high school. Some of the beliefs in this study suggest that use of OLEs by primary teachers and their students may present particular challenges which need to be addressed by a separate research agenda.
10. Research into the beliefs of students may provide more information to assist and support teachers in the social negotiation of their beliefs.
11. Investigations of the beliefs related to an entire school may assist in determining how school policies and conventions, the beliefs of administrators, teachers, parents, and students as a whole effect and compare with each other.