Integrating Web-based Blackboard™ into ESL Discussion and Writing Activities Presenter: Professor Lyra Riabov Southern New Hampshire University Presentation at the Internet Fair 2006 CALL Interest Section Special Events The 40th Annual Convention TESOL 2006: Daring to Lead March 15-March 18, 2006 Tampa, Florida, USA Web:

Presentation Discussion  What is Web-based Blackboard™?  What features of the Blackboard™ do I use in my ESL class and why?  Review selected assignments and activities  What are the gains for students and the instructor?  Recommendations

What is Web-based Blackboard™ ?Blackboard™ SNHU Blackboard Education Environment Online course delivery system Educate Innovate Everywhere

 Announcements: Instructor posts daily or weekly announcements here.  Faculty: Information about the instructor  Syllabus: Outline of the course: Syllabus and Weekly Assignments  Discussion Board: It consists of Topic Discussion Forums for students, reflections, reactions and comments to the reading material, peers’ comments and instructor’s suggestions. Students can use a limited Text Box or attach any file in MS Word, PowerPoint, and pictures to support their arguments.  External Links: Connection to the instructor’s web site and other Internet resources  Course Documents is a place to post course materials for students  Assignments: Day by day homework and class assignments  Communication: Additional way to check out Announcements, get to the Discussion Board, Roster of the class and Send section. The last section is very important as this is the students’ way to ask questions and express concerns, request help with the course content or sent an to their classmates when they are outside the class.  Tools: Students’ Digital Drop Box is a convenient way for confidential communication with the instructor or classmates. This is the place to submit papers or presentations for grading and the instructor’s comments.  SNHU Library: Access to the SNHU Library online What features of the Blackboard™ do I use in my ESL class and why?

Assignments and Activities Syllabus Homework Connection to the Internet and Library resources Discussion Forums Written and oral discussions Process writing Drafts and peer comments Grading and MS Word comments feature

What do students gain? Motivation and fun Constant peer communication Competition and motivation to do better the assignments Exchange of arguments Learn to discuss More time to review their written input Visualize their writing problems and better address them Peer Evaluation Motivation for rewriting drafts Easy access from everywhere Fast e-feedback Paperless class No printing Online dictionary and resources are at your finger tip Constant communication with the instructor Convenient e-folders of the drafts and discussion postings Preparation for the college technology supported learning

Participation in the Discussion Forums Q1: increased the volume of my writing; Q2: helped me to learn how to express my point of view and support it with examples; Q3: helped me to learn how to express my point of view and support it with examples; Q4: helped me to learn to edit my writing.

Communication Advantages Q5: I learned from my classmates writing; Q6: Using BB and Improved communication between the peers and the instructor; Q9: I liked to read my classmates postings and compete with them for higher quality of my postings; Q13: Instructor’s e-comments helped me to edit my drafts and postings

Assignments and Grading Q7: Assignments section was very useful; Q8: Using BB I was motivated to do assignments on time; Q11: It was convenient not to print papers; Q12: Grading was confidential and easy to access to.

Blackboard Usage Advantages Q10: Blackboard provided me with an easy access to my files, , class materials and external links from everywhere on campus and at home; Q14: It was not difficult to use the Blackboard; Q15: Learning and using the Blackboard prepared me well for my future studies in college.

What do instructors gain? Increased volume of students’ writing Focus on academic language Active student participation regardless of the student learning styles Motivation and competitiveness Peers’ active involvement in the learning process Everybody participate in the discussions Increased sense of the students’ responsibility for the completion of the assignments on time E-portfolio Fast and easy feedback Convenient organization of assignments, grades and materials Availability of the instructor outside the classroom

Recommendations In a traditional ESL class use only selected features of the Blackboard Don’t overuse it Make Blackboard features user friendly: simple and clear Avoid chats and chat language in the Discussion Forums Developing daily activities: create a habit of writing every day Be prepared to spend more time working on assignments, e-feedback and communication with your students