1. Virtual classes for interpreting education: connecting and learning Danielle D’Hayer d.dhayer@londonmet.ac.ukd.dhayer@londonmet.ac.uk @DDhayer communityofpracticeforinterpreting.blogspot.co.uk 1 London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer

2. Conference interpreting: what’s that? London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer2 Romanian interpreters with their tutor at Londonmet

3. London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer3 Spanish LondonMet MACI student interpreting at the UN during the Human Rights Council A competitive environment

4. MACI: 1 year course only Intensive Mock conferences every week: different topics means you need to learn new vocabulary, understand new concepts in all your languages. Stressful Performing in front of others: listening, understanding, analysing and reformulating all at the same time. Stimulating Adrenalin rush: communication can take place because of your interpreting. London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer4

5. As a result... Universities compete to get the best students. Students compete to get the best interpreting opportunities. Collaboration is a word that is often used but not often applied. London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer5

6. However... Formal Initiative: DG Interpretation SCIC of the European Commission starts virtual classes in 2008DG Interpretation SCIC of the European Commission starts virtual classes in 2008 London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer6 Virtual class: London Met MACI students and the EU DG SCIC

7. Virtual classes: what do you mean? ‘A highly interactive synchronous online instructor led training class, with defined learning objectives, with participants who are individually connected from geographically dispersed locations, using a web based classroom platform’. Cindy Hugget (2013, p11) London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer7

8. Bringing expertise and support with virtual presence London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer8 DG SCIC Londonmet University 1 University 2 University 3 University 4 University 5 University 6 etc...

9. We use a script: no margin for the unexpected Time (UK time) SpeakersTopicComments 1:30PM - 1.40PM Opening remarks and introductions Welcome address and introductions; DG SCIC and LondonMet participants present themselves. 1.40PM - 2.10PM DG SCIC Speech in EN EU speaker 1 Title: TBCConsecutive English into Romanian Name 1 – EN>RO (student 1). Confirmed. Consecutive English into Romanian Name 2 – EN>RO (Student 2) DG SCIC LondonMet Feedback on two performances Assessors: EU assessor 1 Teachers and students at LondonMet London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer9

10. How can we use the virtual classes to enhance collaborative learning less formally? London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer10 English Spanish U1 French U2 Russian U3 Italian U4 Polish U5 Italian U6 Romanian U7

11. Building connections: a semi formal approach with bilateral virtual classes With more than 10 universities, such as: University of Ghana: Identity, African Languages, Culture, Public Service Interpreting Experience Caspian Higher School of Interpreting and Translation: Russian into Italian, Chinese into English London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer11

12. Building connections: a semi formal approach with bilateral virtual classes Formal practice Informal chat between students: what can we offer each other? Virtual coffee to debrief between tutors London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer12

13. From formal learning to informal learning: can a Community of Practice approach enhance learning and collaborative professionalism? London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer13

14. “ By connecting people, they not only build an information network, they also create a web of TRUST”. (Wenger), Cultivating Communities of Practice, p134 London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer14

15. Intuitive approach Set up a closed Facebook group: Connect at LondonMet 74 members Recordings of all virtual classes for all to share and practice Open access to webstreamed mock conferences at LondonMet Engaged students in Google Hangout practice Demonstrated how Google Hangout worked London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer 15

16. SO WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer16 Students from LondonMet and HUB get to know one another over dinner in Brussels

17. THE JOURNEY CONTINUES WITH YOUR THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS... London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer17 LondonMet students debriefing at the UN

18. Bibliography D’Hayer, D (2012). Public Service Interpreting and Translation: Moving Towards a (Virtual) Community of Practice. Meta journal. Meta : journal des traducteurs / Meta: Translators' Journal, Volume 57, numéro 1, mars 2012, p. 235-247 Huggett, C (2013). The Virtual Training Guidebook. American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Kear, K (2011) Online and Social Networking Communities Routledge Lave, J Wenger E (2009): Situated learning legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge University Press Siemens, G (2004). A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. http://devrijeruimte.org/content/artikelen/Connectivism.pdf http://devrijeruimte.org/content/artikelen/Connectivism.pdf Wenger, Mc Dermott R, Snyder W (2002): Cultivating Communities of Practice. Harvard Business School press Wenger, E Communities of Practice, Learning, meaning and identity (2008). Cambridge University Press Wenger, E, White N, Smith J (2009) Digital Habitats Stewarding technology for communities London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer18

19. communityofpracticeforinterpreting.blogspot.co.uk/ http://communityofpracticeforinterpreting.blogspot.co.uk/ d.dhayer@londonmet.ac.uk Twitter: @DDhayer Facebook: Translation and Interpreting at LondonMet Google+ Danielle D’Hayer LinkedIn: Danielle D’Hayer London Metropolitan University/Danielle D'Hayer19