1. Innovation in TOOL Stefan Colibaba TOOL coordinator Creativity and Innovation to Promote Multilingualism and Intercultural Dialogue Iasi, June 25 – 26, 2009

2. Innovation  The 5 courses - Estonian, Dutch, Hungarian, Maltese, Slovene – follow the didactics of: the strategic European instruments for language learning and language acquisition – CEFR & ELP blended learning and use the applications of Web 2.0 and communication technology in the teaching/learning of a new language  Target group: adult (professionals) living/travelling to the host countries for jobs/entertainment and who have already acquired a basic level of language (A1).

3. TOOL and the CEFR/ELP Processes where TOOL made use of the principles put forth by the CEFR/ELP: planning and elaborating the 5 language courses, planning and elaborating the Tutor support:  Syllabus design  Planning teaching for individual learning paths with description of competences and identification of the means to attain them  (Self)evaluation of competences: Learning goals/learning outcomes, exit tests, quality grid  Tutor/student guides, quality grid

4. TOOL and Blended Learning  Tutor teaching management vs student learning management (content/skills control, monitoring, uploading, moderation)  Low hierarchy between tutor and student, shared roles  Encourages adult learning (flexible, autonomous, based on needs and preferences re: topics, skills, situations, development of cultural competences)  Aims at creating affective group bonding as a learning motivator by using interactivity (forums, collaborative tasks, wikis etc.)  Online component allows for flexibility of student choices  Face-to-face component focuses on training oral interaction, skills necessary for platform work, monitoring language acquisition

5. TOOL time allocation  120 course hours: 80-90 online hours 30-40 face to face Online component  12 units x 5 online hours each = 60 hours  3 consolidation units x 6 online hours each = 18 hours  Orientation 2-4 online hours  Final test: 2-4 hours Total: 82-86 hours

6. Transparent quality standards  Set by CEFR/ELP through competence descriptors; quality grid  Processes for quality assurance: self-evaluation, online tutor, task-based problem-solving approaches to language acquisition

7. Web 2.0 Integration of communication technology developments allows for innovation in FL didactics Social sites for interaction Platform blogs Wikis IPods Podcasts language learning instruments & learning motivators

8.  Audio & video files  Virtual tour  Student communication via messages  Blog and skype  Forum  Structured content in.pdf

9. Instruments for tutor and learner assistance  Platform orientation  Tutor guide  Student guide

10. Valorisation of TOOL courses  Generic  Country specific  Project specific

11. Generic factors influencing valorisation Number of people who speak the language worldwide and their mobility; reasons for their mobility Attitude of diaspora to language and cultural values promoted by mother country ‘Attractiveness’ (jobs, tourism, positioning) of the country where the language is spoken International regulations re: the role of language competence in workforce mobility policies

12. Country specific factors Regulations re:  Work permits  Job promotion  Granting citizenship  Diaspora  Country attractiveness for jobs or entertainment  Country rules certifying language competences acquired systematically through graded exams

13. Project specific factors A wider impact of TOOL courses depends on: Joint marketing with other LWULT platforms (ALL) Sales procedures in place Accessible and consistent info on the courses in the marketing process Technical maintenance of platform Prompt online tutoring Helpdesk

19. Use of wiki as a tool for collaborative writing (web 2.0)

20. Using microblogging for collaborative writing: (TWITTER)

24. Contact us! www.toolproject.eu stefan.colibaba@euroed.ro