Computer Assisted Language Learning
 |
|
 |
|
Computer Assisted Language Learning
|
Instructor | Purpose | Course Materials | Responsibilities | Activities and Evaluation
Instructor: Faridah Pawan
Address:
Department of Language Education
School of Education
201 N. Rose, 3044 Wright
Bloomington, IN 47405-1006
Fax: 812.856-8287
E-mail:fpawan@indiana.edu
Home: http://php.indiana.edu/~fpawan/cvBack to top
Although theories of learning and teaching may be interdisciplinary, educational methods and techniques are specific to subject areas. This is true in the case of computer technology in language education. While general education computer courses may provide an overview of computer use for current and future teachers, they do not address issues specific to the teaching and learning of second/foreign language through the technology.This course is intended to give participants a broad general view of computer-enhanced language teaching and learning. It will involve participants in exploring a working theory of language learning environments, using and discussing existing and potential applications of computer technology in the language classroom, and creating projects to use and test knowledge gained through reading, discussion, and hands-on experience.
Format and Philosophy This course is designed for pre-service and in-service teachers, technology consultants, administrators, and all others interested in computer-enhanced language learning. It is an introductory workshop course at the graduate level; this means that, in addition to perusing the literature and discussing the research, participants will be involved in hands-on discovery and creation. To fulfill this purpose, the class has been developed as a part seminar, part technical training, and part hands-on workshop. Topics covered include means and ways to communicate and collaborate with technology, software/website evaluation and integration, creation and evaluation of online tasks and student assessment. Methods/ techniques appropriate to second/foreign language classrooms will be integrated into class sessions as will technology, and the focus will be on building a learning community among participants.
Objectives
With the focus on theories and practices of computer-assisted language learning, the participants in this course will be able to:
- Create appropriate contexts in which language learners interact and negotiate meaning in the computer-assisted classroom.
- Understand how to integrate technology into language learning environments.
- Effectively evaluate software and technology-based projects and activities for use in their own language classrooms.
- Develop new computer-enhanced tasks and adapt existing computer-based tasks to suit the needs of their learners.
- Understand the importance and use of on-going assessment in the computer-enhanced language classroom.
Back to top
|
|
TEXT: |
Back to top
As professionals, we'll work together in this course to improve our knowledge, competence, and understanding in our own and other areas of language education. Each of us in this class will know more in some areas and less in others; each participant will take on the role of mentor in some situations and novice in others. In all of these contexts, you should expect from yourself and the other participants very high standards of professional conduct.Back to top
The final course grade is the percentage of total points earned out of the total 300. For example, more than 294 points or 98% = A+, 282-293 points or 94% = A, etc. If you do not understand this system, please ask immediately! Participants will receive their grades via e-mail and can request a written grade report.Due dates for activities can be found in the course schedule.
| Activities | Description | Point Value |
| Forum Discussion | Participation
in the electronic discussion forum includes asking questions, answering
questions, sharing information, and so on, in a variety of ways.
Assessment is based on the number and quality of your contributions. This means that you should ask thought- provoking questions, give thoughtful comments, and raise critical problems or issues. You should also address other people's questions, concerns, and comments in a friendly and supportive way. No personal attacks are allowed (we really don't think this would happen, but just in case). We can all learn a lot from each other through idea exchange and sharing. |
|
| General
Participation |
Throughout
the semester you'll be involved in a variety of activities, from reading
to MOOing to chatting to creating profiles in our electronic conference.
Your participation is crucial to all of them!
During the semester you and one or more class participants will be responsible for facilitating our class discussion. This is not only to support the philosophy of a learning community but also to give you an opportunity of being an on-line group facilitator. Most of us are quite used to be a teacher or a lecturer, always telling people what to do. Being a facilitator is very different. You must figure out a way to link us all together without dominating discussions. Each week, there will be one starter who will open the discussion and ask questions and one wrapper who will summarize the readings and the forum discussion. The list of starters and wrappers will be announced in the Forum. |
|
| Interactive Class Reflection | Every two weeks you will write a reflection to describe what went well and what could have gone better in the class, what you learned/didn't learn, wish you had learned, and what your plan is for learning more. You will send your brief (one page or less) reflection through e-mail to the instructor, who will respond in a timely fashion. Points are earned for completing this activity as instructed. Due dates are noted on the schedule. |
|
| MSN Messenger
Download and Use |
Collaboration is extremely important in teaching. MSN Messenger and other similar programs are tools to help you communicate and work with fellow professionals in a sychronous and friendly manner. You are to download the program and to demonstrate the ability to use it. |
|
| Website/Software
Evaluation |
It is quite important for us to have a critical eye on the material that we want to use. This acitivity aims to help you to evaluate websites/sofware that are available in your area. You can find the guidelines here. |
|
| External Document
on Trackstar |
You'll have the chance to add additional information/actitivites to accompany a piece of software or a Website so that it meets your students' needs in a more effective way. Find more information and examples here. |
|
| Web Page | Creating webpages allows you to put your work online so that your students will have easy access to it at all times. You will develop a webpage using an editor that allows you to create the page quickly without using HTML. |
|
| Online Quiz/
Editing Project |
Assessment is an important part of teaching. To help you assess your students' work, we will use the editing tool in Word with which you will comment and edit a student essay. You also have to option to create quizzes using Quiz Star or Hot Potatoes. |
|
| Webquest | In this project you and your teammates will build on the strengths of the Internet and World Wide Web to create materials for language teachers world-wide. You'll be facilitated in this process by outside experts. For more information, look here. |
|
| Bonus Activities | These activities are made available for you to try *on your own* and to challenge yourself to learn something new. There are several to choose from and the activities vary in levels of difficulty. |
|
