‘Caecilius Est Internet’: A Study of Year 7 Latin Beginners' Perspectives on the use of an Online Chat function and Breakout Rooms using the Cambridge Latin Course

Abstract

During the school closures in the beginning of 2021 many students and teachers found themselves making use of new remote educational technology. The use of an online chat function and breakout rooms became routine. Using observations during lessons, anonymised chat logs and a student questionnaire it is shown that there are positive outcomes for student voice and inclusion when using these features. The possibility for integration of a chat function in the physical classroom, to benefit students who are more confident in messaging than speaking, is briefly considered although a proper study of this was not possible at the time.