Systematic review of criteria for digital resource catalogues in language learning: foundations for a Catalan catalogue
Abstract
Introduction: The proliferation of digital resources for language learning has increased the need for catalogues that facilitate the search, selection and pedagogical use of materials, especially in languages with non-hegemonic digital ecosystems such as Catalan. Method: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020. Scopus and Web of Science were consulted using two search strings focused on digital resources, repositories, classification and language learning. After removing duplicates, inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to peer-reviewed articles in English or Spanish with full-text access. The screening was documented with a PRISMA diagram, and 73 studies were included. The synthesis was based on qualitative coding and thematic analysis. Results: The findings were organised into five criteria axes: (1) classification and categorisation, with a predominance of filters by language skills and CEFR levels; (2) metadata, highlighting the need for pedagogical and linguistic fields and interoperability through standards; (3) pedagogical quality, with proposals for expert validation and automated verification of descriptors; (4) architecture and openness, with an emphasis on open licences and protocols such as OAI-PMH; and (5) support for mixed contexts, incorporating information on autonomy, usage guidelines and the integration of collaborative tools. Conclusions: The review proposes an integrated framework of transferable criteria for designing and evaluating language resource catalogues and provides the basis for the development of a catalogue in Catalan. It is recommended that the criteria be empirically validated with teachers and learners and that future reviews be extended to additional sources and languages.
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