Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas, BA (Hons), M.Ed., MBA, Ph.D., FHEA, is Senior Lecturer in Language Learning Technologies at the University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom. He has taught at universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. His research interests are in task-based learning, digital technologies in education, and online and distance learning. He is lead editor of three book series, “Digital Education and Learning” (with J. P. Gee and J. Palfrey), “Advances in Digital Language Learning and Teaching” (with M. Peterson and M. Warschauer), and “Advances in Virtual and Personal Learning Environments.” He has published over ten books including Handbook of Research on Web 2.0 and Second Language Learning (2009), Interactive Whiteboards for Education: Theory, Research and Practice (2010), Task-Based Language Learning & Teaching with Technology (with H. Reinders) (2010), Digital Education: Opportunities for Social Collaboration (2011), Deconstructing Digital Natives: Young People, Technology and the New Literacies (2011), and Online Learning: Volumes I-IV (2011). He has completed funded research projects and consultancies on digital gaming, open educational resources, mobile learning and blended learning. Dr. Thomas is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Publications

An Investigation of Social Networking Sites for Language Learning and the User Experience: The Case of Busuu and Spanish as a Foreign Language
An Investigation of Social Networking Sites for Language Learning and the User Experience: The Case of Busuu and Spanish as a Foreign Language
Miguel Saona-Vallejos, Michael Thomas. © 2023. 27 pages.
This chapter investigates the user experience of the language learning platform Busuu as a tool for learning Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL). Social constructionism has been...
Comparing Two Teacher Training Courses for 3D Game-Based Learning: Feedback From Trainee Teachers
Comparing Two Teacher Training Courses for 3D Game-Based Learning: Feedback From Trainee Teachers
Michael Thomas, Letizia Cinganotto. © 2023. 27 pages.
This chapter explores data form two online language teacher training courses aimed at providing participants with the skills to create and use games in 3D immersive environments....
Emerging Concepts in Technology-Enhanced Language Teaching and Learning
Emerging Concepts in Technology-Enhanced Language Teaching and Learning
Bin Zou, Michael Thomas, David Barr, Wen Jia. © 2022. 347 pages.
For years, language teachers have increasingly been using technologies of all kinds, from computers to smartphones, to help their students learn. Current trends in TELTL...
Comparing Two Teacher Training Courses for 3D Game-Based Learning: Feedback From Trainee Teachers
Comparing Two Teacher Training Courses for 3D Game-Based Learning: Feedback From Trainee Teachers
Michael Thomas, Letizia Cinganotto. © 2021. 26 pages.
This chapter explores data form two online language teacher training courses aimed at providing participants with the skills to create and use games in 3D immersive environments....
Accessing Learning Management Systems With Smartphones: What Is the Effect on Learning Behavior and Student Engagement?
Accessing Learning Management Systems With Smartphones: What Is the Effect on Learning Behavior and Student Engagement?
Bret Miller, Michael Thomas. © 2021. 23 pages.
Smartphones have many qualities that have made them potentially useful for learning (e.g., connectivity, interactivity, and personalization) but few studies have considered their...
Recent Developments in Technology-Enhanced and Computer-Assisted Language Learning
Recent Developments in Technology-Enhanced and Computer-Assisted Language Learning
Bin Zou, Michael Thomas. © 2020. 454 pages.
The pace at which technology changes has created unique challenges in the integration of such technologies into language teaching and learning. Innovative pedagogies and...
An Investigation of Social Networking Sites for Language Learning and the User Experience: The Case of Busuu and Spanish as a Foreign Language
An Investigation of Social Networking Sites for Language Learning and the User Experience: The Case of Busuu and Spanish as a Foreign Language
Miguel Saona-Vallejos, Michael Thomas. © 2020. 27 pages.
This chapter investigates the user experience of the language learning platform Busuu as a tool for learning Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL). Social constructionism has been...
English Language Learner Motivation in the Digital Technology Classroom: A Case Study of a Vocational University in Indonesia
English Language Learner Motivation in the Digital Technology Classroom: A Case Study of a Vocational University in Indonesia
Baetty Baetty, Michael Thomas. © 2020. 24 pages.
This chapter investigates learner motivation in an English as a foreign language writing classroom in an Indonesian university. Its originality arises from the fact that no...
Language Teaching in 3D Virtual Worlds With Machinima: Reflecting on an Online Machinima Teacher Training Course
Language Teaching in 3D Virtual Worlds With Machinima: Reflecting on an Online Machinima Teacher Training Course
Michael Thomas, Christel Schneider. © 2019. 21 pages.
This article is based on findings arising from a large, two-year EU project entitled “Creating Machinima to Enhance Online Language Learning and Teaching” (CAMELOT), which was...
Handbook of Research on Integrating Technology Into Contemporary Language Learning and Teaching
Handbook of Research on Integrating Technology Into Contemporary Language Learning and Teaching
Bin Zou, Michael Thomas. © 2018. 626 pages.
Technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives. As today’s teachers prepare to instruct a new generation of students, the question is no longer whether technology...
Academic Writing in the Flipped EFL Classroom: A Case Study on Student Engagement in Oman
Academic Writing in the Flipped EFL Classroom: A Case Study on Student Engagement in Oman
Afef Ahmed Gasmi, Michael Thomas. © 2017. 20 pages.
During the last few years flipped classrooms have aimed to provide more authentic forms of student engagement in which learners have greater opportunity to utilise classroom time...
Academic Writing in the Flipped EFL Classroom: A Case Study on Student Engagement in Oman
Academic Writing in the Flipped EFL Classroom: A Case Study on Student Engagement in Oman
Afef Ahmed Gasmi, Michael Thomas. © 2017. 16 pages.
During the last few years flipped classrooms have aimed to provide more authentic forms of student engagement in which learners have greater opportunity to utilise classroom time...
Pedagogical Considerations and Opportunities for Teaching and Learning on the Web
Pedagogical Considerations and Opportunities for Teaching and Learning on the Web
Michael Thomas. © 2014. 338 pages.
As new and emerging technologies continue to become more familiar to educators and the education system, the vast opportunities for web-based learning has transformed the ideals...
Technologies, Innovation, and Change in Personal and Virtual Learning Environments
Technologies, Innovation, and Change in Personal and Virtual Learning Environments
Michael Thomas. © 2013. 338 pages.
Over the last decade there continues to be an increase in the technology and how it affects our lives. Since then the incorporation of electronic databases and other...
Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments
Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments
Michael Thomas. © 2012. 344 pages.
Virtual learning environments offer a novel environment through which teachers can engage students in active learning. Whether through virtual worlds such as Second Life or a...
International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching (IJCALLT)
International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching (IJCALLT)
Bin Zou, David Barr. Est. 2011.
The International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching (IJCALLT) serves as a forum for researchers, teachers, practitioners, and education professionals to...
International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE)
International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE)
Thomas Connolly. Est. 2010.
The International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE) provides readers with comprehensive coverage of developments in learning technologies for an...