Distance Learning & Telecollaboration IKT Distance Learning & Telecollaboration

Purpose Purpose: Test out the technology for next week and Foster a discussion on distance learning and telecollaboration. Caveat: This does not necessarily reflect best practices for distance teaching.

Overview Project I Check-In Distance Learning Telecollaboration Preparing for Next Week

Useful Links for Today IKT Kursen Wiki IKT Kursen Blog Cultura Project http://ikt-sprakundervisning.wikispaces.com/home IKT Kursen Blog http://iktkursen.blogspot.se/ Cultura Project http://cultura.mit.edu/

Project I Check-In 5 5

Check-In Be sure to edit the Project 1 page on the wiki with your intended site/software. How’s it going? Any questions?

Distance Learning 7

Opening Questions What has been your own experience with distance learning and teaching? What worked? What didn’t? Are we ready?

Trends in US Foreign Language Classes Distance Foreign Language Instruction Enhanced Learning Environment or Marketing Tool? Standardized assessment has had a deleterious effect on the teaching of FLs in K-12. Budget reductions in state universities have led to cuts in many language programs. One consequence is the use of hybrid and online classes as an attempt to save money: -facilities -instructors -outsourcing teaching and materials development -larger classes

Some Advantages Remote Access Availability of LCTLs

Wow! These people are really happy. Some Issues Are teachers sufficiently trained? Are students sufficiently autonomous? What is the level of tech support needed? What is the level of digital literacy needed? How do you maintain engagement? What are the best teaching methods? Wow! These people are really happy.

_______________________________________________ Discussion Questions Do you ever see a role for distance language learning among the populations you are working with? Why or why not? What did you think of the research methods employed by Sánchez-Serrano (2008) in her study? _______________________________________________ For the Blog According to Nancy, one of the Spanish language distance education teachers surveyed by Sánchez-Serrano (2008), “the online curriculum should be designed to match, as closely as possible, the needs of the environment and of the students, while not attempting to imitate its face-to-face counterparts as the perfect model” (p. 157). This sentiment is echoed in the comments by Stickler and Hempel in Episode 5 of the CALLspot, who point out that putting ones powerpoint and lecture notes online is not enough for online instruction. How should a curriculum and lessons for online language instruction differ from a curriculum and lessons for face-to-face language instruction? 12

Telecollaboration 13

Questions How much is the teaching of culture incorporated into your courses? How is this done? What is your experience with telecollaboration?

Telecollaboration “internationally-dispersed learners in parallel language classes use[ing] Internet communication tools such as e-mail, synchronous chat, threaded discussion, and MOOs ... in order to support social interaction, dialogue, debate, and intercultural exchange” (Belz, 2003, p.1).

The Cultura Project “It offers learners (and teachers alike) on both sides of the Atlantic a unique comparative, cross-cultural approach for gradually constructing knowledge of other values, attitudes, and beliefs, in an ever-widening approach to understanding the foreign culture. “ “to look at the universe through the eyes of others.“ 16

The Cultura Project: Initial Format http://cultura.mit.edu/ Let’s poke around a bit.

Topics for the PKU/UTSA Telecollaboration Session & Topic UTSA Week Date 3 March 2 S1 Introduction 7 March 1 4 March 9 S2 Language Learning & Teaching 8 March 8 5 March 16 UTSA Spring break   March 15 6 March 23 S3 American Culture/Immigration 9 March 22 March 30 S4 Chinese Culture 10 March 29 April 6 S5 Campus Life 11 April 5 April 13 S6 Technology 12 April 12

Some Issues Time changes. Misaligned academic calendars. Sufficient language focus. Alignment of goals. Relevance of topic. Sensitivity of topic. Age difference. Class size. Blocked sites and tools.

Discussion Question Do you ever see a role for telecollaboration among the populations you are working with? What specific logistical and pedagogical issues would you face in setting up a telecollaboration in your context? 20

A Look Ahead 21 21

Next Session Online in Adobe Connect to present and discuss results. Please upload your typed document to the Project 1 Wiki Page. Two Separate AM Sessions 10.15-12.00 Group A: Kent, Linda S., Celine, Lisa, Henrietta (Swedish with Jonas) Group B: Tina, Maria, Linda B., Karina, Helena (English with Shannon) One Joint PM Session 1.00-2.00 Everyone