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L530
Syllabus
Instructor
| Purpose | Course Materials
| Responsibilities | Activities
and Evaluation
Instructor
Information
Instructor:
Dan Craig
Address:
Department of Language
Education
School of Education
201 N. Rose, 3044
W.W. Wright Education Bldg.
Bloomington, IN
47405-1006
Fax: (812)856-8287
E-mail:daacraig@indiana.edu
Home: http://call.danielcraig.com
Course
Purpose and Goals
Although
theories of learning and teaching may be interdisciplinary, educational
methods and techniques are specific to subject areas. This is true in the
case of computer technology in language education. While general education
computer courses may provide an overview of computer use for current and
future teachers, they do not address issues specific to the teaching and
learning of second/foreign language through the technology.
This course is intended
to give participants a broad general view of computer-enhanced language
teaching and learning. It will involve participants in exploring a working
theory of language learning environments, using and discussing existing
and potential applications of computer technology in the language classroom,
and creating projects to use and test knowledge gained through reading,
discussion, and hands-on experience.
Format and
Philosophy
This course is designed
for pre-service and in-service teachers, technology consultants, administrators,
and all others interested in computer-enhanced language learning. It is
an introductory workshop course at the graduate level; this means that,
in addition to perusing the literature and discussing the research, participants
will be involved in hands-on discovery and creation. To fulfill this purpose,
the class has been developed as a part seminar, part technical training,
and part hands-on workshop. Topics covered include means and ways to communicate
and collaborate with technology, software/website evaluation and integration,
creation and evaluation of online tasks and student assessment. Methods/
techniques appropriate to second/foreign language classrooms will be integrated
into class sessions as will technology, and the focus will be on building
a learning community among participants.
Objectives
With the focus on
theories and practices of computer-assisted language learning, the participants
in this course will be able to:
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Create appropriate contexts
in which language learners interact and negotiate meaning in the computer-assisted
classroom.
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Understand how to integrate
technology into language learning environments.
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Effectively evaluate
software and technology-based projects and activities for use in their
own language classrooms.
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Develop new computer-enhanced
tasks and adapt existing computer-based tasks to suit the needs of their
learners.
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Understand the importance
and use of on-going assessment in the computer-enhanced language classroom.
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Course
Materials
While textbooks have been required in this course in past, this semester all required readings will be available online (Oncourse and E-Reserves).
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Participant
Responsibilities
As professionals,
we'll work together in this course to improve our knowledge, competence,
and understanding in our own and other areas of language education. Each
of us in this class will know more in some areas and less in others; each
participant will take on the role of mentor in some situations and novice
in others. In all of these contexts, you should expect from yourself and
the other participants very high standards of professional conduct.
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Activities
and Evaluation
The final
course grade is the percentage of total points earned out of the total
300. For example, more than 294 points or 98% = A+, 282-293 points or 94%
= A, etc. If you do not understand this system, please ask immediately!
Participants will receive their grades via e-mail and can request a written
grade report.
Due dates for activities
can be found in the course schedule.
Activities |
Description |
Point
Value |
Forum Discussion |
Participation
in the electronic discussion forum includes asking questions, answering
questions, sharing information, and so on, in a variety of ways.
Assessment is based
on the number and quality of your contributions. This means that you should
ask thought- provoking questions, give thoughtful comments, and raise critical
problems or issues. You should also address other people's questions, concerns,
and comments in a friendly and supportive way. No personal attacks are
allowed (we really don't think this would happen, but just in case). We
can all learn a lot from each other through idea exchange and sharing.
Most importantly, a successful electronic discussion takes the form of a conversation. Simply posting questions and answers results in a dry, boring conversation that treats the discussion as simply a chore. This is your space, your class, and your learning. Take advantage of the expertise that your classmates possess and the functionality that the technology provides. And...have fun! |
70
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General
Participation |
Participation is crucial to the success of the class as a whole and your learning in particular. You will explore technologies, theories, and the application of each to teaching by yourself and collaboratively with a partner(s).
During the semester
you and one or more class participants will be responsible for facilitating
our class discussion. This is not only to support the philosophy of a learning
community but also to give you an opportunity of being an online group
facilitator. Many of us are used to being a teacher or a lecturer, always
telling people what to do. Being a facilitator is very different. You must
figure out a way to link us all together without dominating discussions.
Each week, there will be one starter who will open the discussion and ask
questions and one wrapper who will summarize the readings and the forum
discussion. The list of starters and wrappers will be announced in the
Forum. |
30
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Interactive Class
Reflection |
Every
two weeks you will write a reflection to describe what went well and what
could have gone better in the class, what you learned/didn't learn, wish
you had learned, and what your plan is for learning more. You will send
your brief (one page or less) reflection through e-mail to the instructor,
who will respond in a timely fashion. Points are earned for completing
this activity as instructed. Due dates are noted on the schedule. |
20
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MSN Messenger
Download and
Use |
Collaboration
is extremely important in teaching. MSN Messenger and other similar programs
are tools to help you communicate and work with fellow professionals in
a synchronous and friendly manner. You are to download the program and to
demonstrate the ability to use it. |
20
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Website/Software
Evaluation |
It is
quite important for us to have a critical eye on the material that we want
to use. This activity aims to help you to evaluate websites/software that
are available in your area. You can find the guidelines here (MS Word document). This will be posted on the Oncourse discussion forum. |
20
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External Documents
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You'll
have the chance to add additional information/activities to accompany
a piece of software or a Website so that it meets you information
and examples here. This will be posted on the Oncourse discussion forum. |
20
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Web Page |
Creating
web pages allows you to put your work online so that your students will
have easy access to it at all times. You will develop a web page using an
editor that allows you to create the page quickly without using HTML. |
30
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Online Quiz/
Editing Project |
Assessment
is an important part of teaching. To help you assess your students' work,
we will use the editing tool in Word with which you will comment and edit
a student essay. You also have to option to create quizzes using programs like Hot Potatoes that allow you to easily configure web-based quizzes. |
30
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WebQuest |
In this
project you and your teammates will build on the strengths of the Internet
and World Wide Web to create materials for language teachers world-wide.
You'll be facilitated in this process by outside experts. For more information,
look here. |
60
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Bonus Activities |
These
activities are made available for you to try *on your own* and to challenge
yourself to learn something new. There are several to choose from and the
activities vary in levels of difficulty. |
10
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