Teaching Foreign Languages “at-a-distance”
Teaching Foreign Languages “at-a-distance”. MCGE’s Africa in Missouri February 27, 2010 Lake Ozarks, MO. Technical. Process. Do you and your students have access to the technology needed to meet your instructional goals?.
Teaching Foreign Languages “at-a-distance”
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Teaching Foreign Languages “at-a-distance” MCGE’s Africa in Missouri February 27, 2010 Lake Ozarks, MO
Technical Process • Do you and your students have access to the technology needed to meet your instructional goals? • Can you (or should you) change your teaching style (or expectations) to match the medium? Foreign Language “at-a-distance”
See and Hear • Videoconferencing • Desktop Conferencing • MCGE – Support for Foreign Language Offerings Video Technology
Behind the Scenes • Logistics • Support • codecs/monitors • Training • Media Development Video – Making It Happen
Is it live or is it… Audio via the Web • Audio-conferencing • Phone • Web • Recording Options • Audacity • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ • Cinch • http://www.cinchcast.com/ • Jing • http://www.jingproject.com/ • DimDim • http://www.dimdim.com/ • Zoho • http://zohochat.com/ Audio Technology
PC Based Instruction Tools on the Web • Textbook Resources • Software • RosettaStone • TellMeMore • NY Times – 1/28 & 2/05 • The Internet • Social Networking • Web2.0 Apps • BUSUU • http://www.busuu.com/ • Babel • http://www.babbel.com/ • Mango • http://www.mangolanguages.com/ Computers and Languages
What changes have to be considered? • How long does the transition take? • What resources are necessary? The Process
Classroom Strategies • Remember – this is NOT the same as the classroom! • Engaging the remote learner(s) • Orientation • Support Strategies • Identify how? When? Changing Strategies
Technology Training • Medium related Teaching Strategies & Content Development • CMS Training • Support Training Training
Identifying a Technology • Support Options • Time & Money Resources
It takes 9 months to a year to train and prepare for the first course taught “at-a-distance” • Don’t plan to do it all at once • unless you are getting the necessary incentives (release time and extra pay)- • Give it three times Making the transition
Benefits Experiences • Access to courses not offered by your institution: • Don’t have the staff • Don’t have the enrollment • Convenience • Instructor • Student • Problems are usually logistical – not technical • Underestimating the development time needed • Students still indicate preference for F2F How has it worked for MCC?
Leo Hirner • leo.hirner@mcckc.edu • 816-604-4501 • Slideshow Available at http://www.slideshare.net/fizixdood/foreign-language-at-distance2010 Contact Info