7.2 Conclusions

The findings of this study explored responses to two research questions. Chapter 5 presented a description of the beliefs uncovered in this study. Chapter 6 presented an interpretation of these beliefs. This chapter takes the analysis of the findings one step further and presents the dominant themes identified from the findings. These themes are as follows: converging beliefs; beliefs and challenges; beliefs and compatibility; conflicting beliefs; changing beliefs. The theme of converging beliefs considers the relationship or convergence between the official theories related to language learning on one hand and the implicit theories or beliefs of teachers on the other. The second theme considers the findings of this study which suggest that there are beliefs particular to FSFL that present certain challenges to effective use of OLEs. The theme of beliefs and compatibility considers how certain beliefs about computers are more compatible with particular uses of the computer. As its name suggests, the theme of conflicting beliefs describes the different dimensions of conflict between beliefs uncovered in this study. Finally, the theme of changing beliefs focuses on the ways in which the beliefs articulated in the course of this study appear to be evolving or changing.