I am excited about discovering
resources that can be used to add a community aspect to on-line learning. During the Intro to Online and Blended Learning
course, I learned about several exciting tools, including VoiceThread, Google
Hang-out, and Ted-Ed comment-based discussions, that allow students to interact
in a virtual environment. I would like
to further my understanding of those resources, and I also hope to learn about
additional technology-based resources that facilitate active student
participation.
Currently, I would not say that I
am much of a leader with regard to implementation of any particular
technology-based teaching methods, but I would say I am a leader in conceptual
understanding of what is necessary to create an asynchronous on-line learning
environment that specifically addresses the needs of language acquisition. Many on-line language learning courses focus
primarily on reading and writing, and several on-line courses do a fairly
decent job of addressing listening comprehension. However, to be able to say you have mastered
a language, it is my opinion that one should be able to SPEAK that language
(provided it is a living language). I
want my students (whether they attend class virtually or in person) to be able
to hold a conversation in real time. Many of my colleagues do not think that this
skill can be addressed in an asynchronous environment, but I have many ideas
about how to use technology to foster these skills for all students, not just
the most motivated students. My intent
is to move from a conceptual understanding of what needs to happen in order to
achieve this goal to establishing a toolset that will allow for implementation,
even if just on a small scale.
Increasing the list of go-to resources that support this objective is an
area that I hope to spend more time exploring, and I will be very grateful to
anyone who is able to point out voice-based learning and discussion tools,
particularly those that generate a record that can be re-visited for evaluation
purposes.
I am excited to collaborate with my peers in this course and to take my technology-based teaching to a new level!
