Anderson (2003) did a wonderful job of clearly and concisely breaking down interaction, a word that is so simple and assumed in most educational settings but sometimes overlooked regarding quality. In this article, Anderson list three main categories of interaction: student-student, student-teacher and student-content (Modes of Interaction). Furthermore, he distinguishes teacher-teacher, teacher-content and content-content interactions (Modes of Interaction). Based on these modes, he proposes an equivalency theorem that states “Deep and meaningful formal learning is supported as long as one of the three forms of interaction … is at a high level” thus being able to substitute one type of interaction for another at the same level without loss of effective instruction (Equivalency of Interaction).
For a teacher, his theorem provides a lot of options and freedom in the classroom. As Anderson notes, the modes of interaction and their levels will depend on the instructional delivery (Examples of Applying the Equivalency Theorem to Popular Education Delivery modes). A teacher can look at their personal educational philosophy and instructional goals and determine which interaction they want to emphasize. Then they can use various delivery methods and tools to obtain the desired type and level of interaction. By shifting the types of interactions to more student-student or student-content (learner-centered instruction), there will be less teacher-student interaction (Conclusion). I suppose this would allow teachers to be more on the “sidelines” playing the role of a facilitator or coach instead of the traditional “director” of the classroom. This would then open the doors for a more community based, communicative learning environment. From my experience with online learning at IU, I have definitely experienced this shift of teacher roles. The focus on student-student and student-content interaction in my online courses has provided me deeper learning of the material than a traditional lecture classroom.
Although I favor less emphasis on student-teacher interactions in order to help create more communicative learning opportunities, I’m not sure how well this method will work with students who lack the metacognitive awareness of their own learning. Introducing technology also brings in additional literacy skills that some students need to master. I don’t think these are obstacles but rather factors that need to be considered and planned for by the teacher.
Overall, I think the modes of interactions used in the classroom are constantly changing depending on factors such as subject matter, teacher, students and resources available. However, I feel it is the overall essence of the class that is important. When I look back to the classes where I learned the most or to the teachers whom I was most influenced, I don’t remember one specific thing but rather something wonderful that was present in all the different interactions that took place.
REFERENCE:
Anderson, T. (2003) Getting the Mix Right Again: An update and theoretical rationale for interaction. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning 4 (2).
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Website Evaluation #1
Software/Website Title: Spanish Teaching
Website URL: http://www.spanish-teaching.com/blog
Grade/Age Level: This blog is for both Spanish students and teachers. Since most of the blog is in English, it could be used for all levels; however, there is a specific tab for beginners. Based on the content, I feel the blog is mainly for secondary/post secondary students and adult learners.
Language & Content:
This blog was created by a Spanish language school in Spain called don Quijote. The purpose of this blog is to provide Spanish language resources for both students and teachers as well as to share information about Spanish culture (Spain and Latin America in particular). The content includes language resources for students such as language learning tips, seasonal vocabulary, videos, games, recommended reading lists and other odds and ends. For teachers, there are also odds and ends that people have put on the blog such as videos, interviews, etc. Other content include student written diaries, news, polls, pictures and Spanish language resources.
This blog uses imported video and pictures and contains external links to other blogs, the “Real Academia Espanola” (RAE) and the don Quijote school which contains a lot of wonderful learning resources such as online literature, lessons, word of the day and a monthly newsletter. I think these links are very effective and up to date. For example, RAE is the authority on the Spanish language. One of the news links on this blog talks about how the new Spanish dictionary put out by RAE authorizes words such as “internet” and “chat”.
As previously mentioned, there are wonderful pictures on the blog's main page as well as links to many more. This gives the target audience a more intimate view of various places in Spain. Furthermore, the discussions, hints and resources are offered in English but provide a lot of good ideas and suggestions. Also, having links to student diaries demonstrates that the blog is very learner centered.
I think this blog allows the reader to better understand the culture through photos and the personal experiences shared (diaries, blog entries, etc.). It also provides links to allow them to explore Spanish literature, grammar exercises, etc. in a non-threatening way. You can make blog entries with a registered account and also vote in different polls. For example, the current poll asks “Where does Spanish fall on your list of languages learned?.” The links provided do go to a website that offers various practice exercises, cultural information, etc.
Overall, I think the layout is clean, simple and user-friendly. All but one link seemed to work. Furthermore, links are place under clear headings such as “Student Diaries”, “Recent Documents” and “Spanish Resources”. Navigation is easy and you can always choose “home” from the various pages. The biggest strength about this blog is that it offers wonderful pictures and a lot of personal tips from language learners. It is also very learner friendly and provides authentic language input. The information provided is of quality and useful not just full of opinions which I found in some of the other blogs. One improvement would be to add practice exercises to the blog directly. Maybe it could change ever week or so.
Website URL: http://www.spanish-teaching.com/blog
Grade/Age Level: This blog is for both Spanish students and teachers. Since most of the blog is in English, it could be used for all levels; however, there is a specific tab for beginners. Based on the content, I feel the blog is mainly for secondary/post secondary students and adult learners.
Language & Content:
This blog was created by a Spanish language school in Spain called don Quijote. The purpose of this blog is to provide Spanish language resources for both students and teachers as well as to share information about Spanish culture (Spain and Latin America in particular). The content includes language resources for students such as language learning tips, seasonal vocabulary, videos, games, recommended reading lists and other odds and ends. For teachers, there are also odds and ends that people have put on the blog such as videos, interviews, etc. Other content include student written diaries, news, polls, pictures and Spanish language resources.
This blog uses imported video and pictures and contains external links to other blogs, the “Real Academia Espanola” (RAE) and the don Quijote school which contains a lot of wonderful learning resources such as online literature, lessons, word of the day and a monthly newsletter. I think these links are very effective and up to date. For example, RAE is the authority on the Spanish language. One of the news links on this blog talks about how the new Spanish dictionary put out by RAE authorizes words such as “internet” and “chat”.
As previously mentioned, there are wonderful pictures on the blog's main page as well as links to many more. This gives the target audience a more intimate view of various places in Spain. Furthermore, the discussions, hints and resources are offered in English but provide a lot of good ideas and suggestions. Also, having links to student diaries demonstrates that the blog is very learner centered.
I think this blog allows the reader to better understand the culture through photos and the personal experiences shared (diaries, blog entries, etc.). It also provides links to allow them to explore Spanish literature, grammar exercises, etc. in a non-threatening way. You can make blog entries with a registered account and also vote in different polls. For example, the current poll asks “Where does Spanish fall on your list of languages learned?.” The links provided do go to a website that offers various practice exercises, cultural information, etc.
Overall, I think the layout is clean, simple and user-friendly. All but one link seemed to work. Furthermore, links are place under clear headings such as “Student Diaries”, “Recent Documents” and “Spanish Resources”. Navigation is easy and you can always choose “home” from the various pages. The biggest strength about this blog is that it offers wonderful pictures and a lot of personal tips from language learners. It is also very learner friendly and provides authentic language input. The information provided is of quality and useful not just full of opinions which I found in some of the other blogs. One improvement would be to add practice exercises to the blog directly. Maybe it could change ever week or so.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
CALL Reflection #1
Overall, I really enjoyed this week's readings because they provided 1) a wonderful summary of the different perspectives in language learning and how they have evolved and 2) key conditions for the ideal language learning environment. I was a little surprised these CALL readings started with the core theories and methodologies of good teaching. I guess I expected them to focus solely on technological aspects; however, if you don't embrace good teaching principles, your computer "wizardry" will not lead to successful teaching or learning in the classroom. The 8 Optimal Environmental Conditions mentioned in the Egbert et. al. article support the communicative approach and can all be supported by technology. Furthermore, the Kern & Warschauer article did a great job comparing the different philosophies of learning through the lens of language education.
I was very happy to see the importance of metacognitive skills mentioned in both readings. I personally think this is very important in learning. It really makes a difference of how I teach my lessons and work with my students. I like the "computer-as-toolkit" model and how in computer networking, computers are "used as a vehicle for interactive human communication (Kern & Warschauer, 2000, Sociocognitive Approaches to CALL)." This concept allows the world, the target language, culture and social interactions in particular, to enter the classroom. If you embrace a social-constructivist view of learning than CALL is a powerful tool.
Besides bringing authentic social interactions and materials into the classroom (Kern & Warschauer, 2000), I also like how CALL allows us to teach our students a second language while exposing them to a medium that they will need to survive in that language. Furthermore, CALL allows students more time to plan and reflect their language use (Kern & Warschauer, 2000). I think this is really important with adolescent and adult learners who can often be inhibited by their fear of making mistakes or sounding stupid. I know I feel more capable in my second language when I writing versus when I'm speaking. Hopefully CALL will allow students to develop a lifetime interest in other languages and cultures and help them take more risks in language learning.
The readings provided a good foundation for CALL and helped place it in a familiar context with relation to some of my former studies (i.e. methodologies & learning theories). The Egbert et. al. reading also brought up a good question which I found interesting: "Which technologies are best for supporting the best methods of teaching and learning? (pg. 9)." Hopefully what I learn in this class will help me better answer this question.
I was very happy to see the importance of metacognitive skills mentioned in both readings. I personally think this is very important in learning. It really makes a difference of how I teach my lessons and work with my students. I like the "computer-as-toolkit" model and how in computer networking, computers are "used as a vehicle for interactive human communication (Kern & Warschauer, 2000, Sociocognitive Approaches to CALL)." This concept allows the world, the target language, culture and social interactions in particular, to enter the classroom. If you embrace a social-constructivist view of learning than CALL is a powerful tool.
Besides bringing authentic social interactions and materials into the classroom (Kern & Warschauer, 2000), I also like how CALL allows us to teach our students a second language while exposing them to a medium that they will need to survive in that language. Furthermore, CALL allows students more time to plan and reflect their language use (Kern & Warschauer, 2000). I think this is really important with adolescent and adult learners who can often be inhibited by their fear of making mistakes or sounding stupid. I know I feel more capable in my second language when I writing versus when I'm speaking. Hopefully CALL will allow students to develop a lifetime interest in other languages and cultures and help them take more risks in language learning.
The readings provided a good foundation for CALL and helped place it in a familiar context with relation to some of my former studies (i.e. methodologies & learning theories). The Egbert et. al. reading also brought up a good question which I found interesting: "Which technologies are best for supporting the best methods of teaching and learning? (pg. 9)." Hopefully what I learn in this class will help me better answer this question.
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