Crossing Borders: Digital Cultural Exchange for Preservice Teachers
NECC 2004
Presenters
Karen Jogan Albright College, Reading PA
Michele Mislevy Albright College, Reading PA
Ana Heredia Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica Chile
Gladys Aguilera Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica Chile
Overview
What? Cultural and bilingual exchange (Spanish –
English) Why?
To advance proficiency in target language and culture
How? Through collaboration and technology
For whom? Preservice teachers
Outline
Digital exchange as “best practice” Establishing institutional collaboration Addressing standards Examining contexts of instruction Defining project objectives – four models for
cross-cultural exchange Challenges and possible solutions Discussion
Defining a “best practice” in preservice teacher education
Provide authentic context for learning target language and target culture
Allow for collaborative learning Incorporate technology in the instructional
model
Defining culture
What is culture?
…some definitions
Defining culture
“Culture is…believing that man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun, I take culture to be those webs…and the analysis of [culture] to be … an interpretive one in search of meaning.” Clifford Geertz
Defining culture
How can we engage students in interactive discussion of culture?
How can students view another cultural perspective?
How can we help students interpret the “web” of another culture?
Defining culture
Establish cross cultural connections Connect with a colleague abroad… Connect students with peers abroad Locate a colleague abroad through
http://www.iecc.org
Addressing standards
National and international organizations ISTE ACTFL
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
TESOL Teachers of English to Speakers of Other
Languages Ministry of Education abroad
Selecting appropriate technology
Consider lowest common denominators E-mail PowerPoint
sound digital images streaming video
Blogs
Selecting appropriate technology
Advantages of asynchronous dialogue Learner centered Self-paced No time zone problems Requires limited tech skill
Examining contexts of instruction:
in Arica, Chile in Reading, Pennsylvania
Examining contexts of instruction
Preservice teachers Similar age Similar educational background Similar interests Similar motivational level
Examining contexts of instruction
Roles of coordinators in US and in Chile
Defining project objectives
Cross-cultural competence Communicative competence Interactive strategies Critical thinking and analysis of authentic
texts Collaborative strategies to support peer
correction
Defining project objectives: cross-cultural e-mail
Advantages of e-mail Promotes active collaboration Authentic, meaningful context Immediate and efficient “culture is dialogically created through language
in discourse”
Defining project objectives: cross-cultural e-mail
Project design Time frame Topics Process Coaching in dialog journal strategies Assessment
Defining project objectives: cross-cultural PowerPoint
Collaborative research projects On site team research Dialog and discussion Comparison and contrast Creative final project
Defining project objectives: cross-cultural PowerPoint
Possible topics: Compare Independence Day activities Compare daily activities in school Compare a supermarket Interview an individual in a specific career Describe a local monument and its significance
Cross cultural PowerPoint -- examples
Cross cultural PowerPoint -- examples
Cross cultural PowerPoint -- examples
[Click on picture to view project]
Cross cultural PowerPoint -- examples
[Click on picture to view project]
Culture Modules
Designing materials for teachers of English as a Foreign Language abroad
Culture Modules
Topic selection Design process
storyboarding identifying and capturing digital artifacts
Creating cultural module
Culture Modules – some examples
[Click on picture to view project]
Culture Modules – some examples
[Click on picture to view project]
Developing cultural insights
Post-questions: What did you learn about this topic in your own
culture? What did you learn about cultural perspectives
from your peers abroad?
Collaborative research projects
Topic choice Digital exchange for research project
Collaborative research projects
Sample topics:
How can feedback on EFL essays improve writing skills?
What strategies can be used to measure improvement in EFL listening?
Compare education systems in USA and in Chile
Collaborative Research Projects – some examples
Collaborative Research Projects – some examples
Suggestions for Future Implementation
Establish alternate lines of communication Assign peer/partner after training period Promote flexibility in topic choice Teach for improved coherence
Drawing conclusions
Cross cultural collaboration… Promotes interactive dialog Builds empathy and critical thinking skills Employs a constructivist, learner-centered
approach Empowers through technology
Your turn…
Questions? Comments? Ideas for exchange?
Contact Information
Karen Jogan [email protected]
Michele Mislevy [email protected]
Ana Heredia [email protected]
Gladys Aguilera [email protected]
