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Delivering The Best. Using Virtual Environments for Content-Based Problem Solving and Presentation and Speaking Skill Improvement—The Results. Don Fischer, PhD, Provost, DLIFLC. Constant Challenge. Technological and methodological change Language and culture Environment to deal with:
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Delivering The Best Using Virtual Environments for Content-Based Problem Solving and Presentation and Speaking Skill Improvement—The Results Don Fischer, PhD, Provost, DLIFLC
Constant Challenge • Technological and methodological change • Language and culture • Environment to deal with: • Flattening • Buy-in • Application • Ownership
Past Projects • The Role of Class Size Reduction and Technological Innovation in Foreign Language Learning (TTO-103) • Optimal Foreign Language Learning: The Role of Technology and Teacher/Student Variables (TTO-2103 ) • Pre-DLAB (TTO-116) • External Evaluation of Program Budget Decision (TTO-115) • AutoDLAB (TTO-113) • Distributed Learning (dL) in Foreign Language Education: Principles, Best Practices, and Approaches to Evaluation (ARI) • Brain Fitness Training (TTO 83452)
Current Projects • Technology-Mediated Language Training (TTO 101) • Distributing Language and Culture Training to Diverse Audiences: Applying New Technologies and Applications (ARI) • Tone Aptitude Studies (TTO-82119) • DLAB2 (TTO-82114) • Authentic Input, Learner Output, Interaction and Feedback on Error in Distance Learning Context (TTO-82121) • DLIFLC Provost’s Strategic Plan (TTO-82107) • Effects of Passage Length and Other Factors on Test Item Difficulty (TTO-81434) • Homework and Self-Study Project (TTO-82120) • Lexical Learning (TTO-82122) • Executive Function Intervention/Working Memory Training (TTO 83506)
Rapid Change, Organizational Learning • Technology is constantly changing • People find varying ways to use it • Learning occurs at different points and different rates • Learning occurs faster than it can be transmitted and turned into practice • How and why do we have to develop ways to keep up?
Issues • Digital Natives as students • Digital Immigrants as faculty • Technology for technology’s sake or because it contributes • Hypothesis is that technology will facilitate learning • How do we insure that technology resources are applied? (Socrates in The Phaedrus: Writing undermines Memory)
Diversity in Readiness to Learn Environment/Resources/Openness Zones of Proximal Development/Individual ReadiNess/Grounding Creativity/New Solutions More Heads Are Better Than One Head…Generally
Emergence of Collaborative Knowledge and Group Sense-Making Community of Practice Creativity and new solutions Group sense-making Grounding Changing levels of participation Distributed cognition Common belief Environment for interactions and relationships Activities and resources Situated learning Network for sharing
Faculty Development Experiment • Technology competence and ownership • Presentation and speaking skills • Teaching and learning improvement • Situated • Collaborative • Model the use of technology • 18 Faculty: nine adopters, nine new to technology or needing experience Can We Grow?
New Means of Interaction • .EDU (access to Web 2.0) • Broadband Language Training System • ELLUMINATE • Adobe CONNECT • Sakai/Blackboard Learning Management Systems • Example
Output • Two face to face, 12 virtual sessions • Presentation to Deans and faculty • Significant change in competency and attitude • Example issues addressed: • Presentations of 19 of the 60+ elements of technology available to classroom • Using Elluminate and similar systems for homework help, study hall, special assistance, and student projects • Most important: Provost and 18 faculty engaged in learning and dialog
Next Steps • Discourse analysis • Publish • Use to involve more faculty as well as students and staff in analysis of issues • Use to develop Community of Practice • Arabic Reading Working Group (ARWG) • Teaching standard Arabic for reading while teaching dialect (Iraqi, Levantine, Egyptian, Sudanese)