Friday, March 25, 2005

Models of technology integration

  • 100% long distance online (students physically separated from instructor and perhaps each other) includes web elements, videoconferencing and audioconferencing.
    • Challenges: Time differences (especially when students from more than 2 countries), student support (i.e., registration)
  • Hybrid Course (more and more...best of classroom teaching and online activities...scheduling can vary as to percentage of time they spend in the classroom)
    • Can be used to save classroom space
    • Tim teaches Business Chinese this way...meet 2 hrs in classroom and 1 hr for online activities.
  • Local web-supported course
    • include online video, sound, drills in face to face classroom instruction.

Tim Xie's presentation

Tim Xie, from Cal State Long Beach, shared the following ideas with the Modern Language faculty here at Marietta College.

Now CALL is being called TELL (Technology ENhanced Language Learning).

Aurolog is a technology that recognizes and appropriately responds to language learners. It's called TELL me more, a pun on the verb "tell" (because the learners speak to the program) and the concept of TELL.

Do we need TELL?
No significant difference phenomenon. (1997...reporting from 1986 to 1996).
Morrison (1999)"... we have no choice but to make technology an integrated tool."

Skeptics: IHEP (too many questions are unaddressed or unanswered so we can't properly make informed judgments).

Tim's recommendation...online education is not recommended for elementary language learners.

ALN Magazine (Volume 4 #2, 2000)Impediments to adoption of web-based course delivery among university faculty.

Tim's experience:
  • Convenience of access to texts sound, images, and interactive drills.
  • Anytime/anywhere access for highly motivated students.
  • Facilitates exchange and sharing of products, thoughts, and ideas among instructors globally. (email, Internet, etc.)
What is available over the Internet?
  • Online vs. Offline
    • CD-ROMs (offline)
  • Textbook-dependent vs. textbook dependent
    • Publisher-created materials (textbook-dependent)
    • Instructor-created materials (idioms, phrases, etc.)
Who makes these?
  • Professors
  • Commercial vendors
  • Volunteers and hobbyists (i.e., students)
On the Internet you can find language-specific tools (drills and/or exercises) and communication tools that can support instruction that can be used with other areas as well (chat, IM, etc.)

www.word2word.com (Free Online Language Courses)

The handouts that Tim used

Coursesites.blackboard.com

TrackStart

Trackstar: A specialized search for language educators.

Keeping Students on Task.

Tim suggests assigning tasks to be accomplished when you direct students to websites. This is similar to Bernie Dodge's idea of using webquests. It also supports Chickering and Gamson's "Time on Task" principle of good practice.

Tim, I'm glad you're here! You've inspired a lot of thoughts. I'm going to have to get back into language teaching. I miss it.

Free online language courses

No Nahuatl, but now at least I can learn conversational Quechua online. You never know when you'll run into Atahuallpa and need to get your butt out of a sling. Free online language courses. I'm really looking forward to that, but I doubt I'll run into many Inca that I can practice the language with.

Monday, March 21, 2005

What Works Clearinghouse

This clearinghouse is a resource outlining methods and practices that are based in research and proven to be effective. It'll come in handly for those struggling with the NCLB requirements. What Works Clearinghouse

Sunday, March 06, 2005

My 57th Recommendation Letter

Especially this time of year, I think many of us can relate to this one! Inside Higher Ed :: Views

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Portalino - Seven online copyright myths (3/3)

This seems like it would be a good list. Unfortunately, they only list one copyright myth, and my Italian's not up to snuff to figure out where the others are. But it seems to be a good start. Portalino - Seven online copyright myths (3/3)

A snip from the page:

Possunt quia posse videntur ~ (Latin: They can because they think they can.)

7) "E-mail is not copyright protected once it is sent."