Models for Technology-Mediated Language Instruction: Toward Virtual Total Immersion and Study Abroad

Marie A. Cini, Vice Provost and Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies

Gretchen I. Jones, Academic Director, Foreign Languages

Mark Parker, Assistant Provost, Academic Affairs

MSCHE Annual Conference December 8, 2008

AGENDA1. Introduction & Overview2. The Past

– Brief review of language education 3. The Present

– Online, technology-mediated language education

4. The Future – Language education in 2018

5. Q & A

UMUC Student Base

View from a Dean

Factors to Consider with Today’s Language Learners

•Increasingly Older Population•Reasons to Study are Diffuse•Unable to Engage in Lengthy Study Abroad

From Vivitar to Avatar

Short Term Study Abroad

Technology-Enabled Language Study

THE PAST

• The face-to-face classroom• Grammar-Translation Method• Direct Method - “Total

Immersion” • Audio-Lingual Method• Study Abroad

THE PAST

Technology Pen, pencil Audio tapes, language “labs” Video CD-Roms

THE PRESENT

Current pedagogical principles in language teaching and learning:

Substantial and varied input of target language Interaction between learners Attention to integrating all four skills

reading, writing, speaking, listening Meaningful exploration of culture Some explicit explanation of linguistic

points/grammar

The PRESENT

• Technology: The rise of the Internet and its

related technologies Computer mediated communication (CMC) Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL)

Glossing & Authoring software Web based dictionaries, data bases Web pages (authentic content –newspapers,

train schedules)

THE PRESENT

Teaching Language Online in2008

• State of online language education UMUC 3rd Semester Japanese Course

Strengths Limitations

Technologies Combined

• Online Modules (Content) Developed in house by UMUC Course

Development

• Course management system Communication, student interaction

• Collaborative learning / communication software – Horizon Wimba

Course Modules

• JAPN114 – 3rd Semester

Japanese

Developed by UMUC Faculty author Administrators Instructional Designers Computer Programmers Graphic Designers

UMUC Course Management System

Course Management System

Integrating Culture

• Video from YouTube Culture Student Interaction Learner autonomy

Communication Software

• Wimba Voice Tools

Voice Presentation: asynchronous

Voice Board: asynchronous

Voice Direct: synchronous

What We Can Do Now

• Autonomous learning in 24-7 environment

• Accessible with internet connection• Vast input resources• Student Interaction

Text Voice Synchronous / Asynchronous

On the immediate horizon

Widespread availability of person-to-person video conferencing

Greater integration of various tools

Where are We Headed?

Need for more “study abroad” like experiences

Dire need for more language courses: advanced language training less commonly taught languages (Arabic,

Hindi/Urdu, Pashto, etc.) Teacher shortages Students dispersed

The Future

Build on what we’re currently doing, but. . .

Two technological advances to be made:

1. Web 2.0 (e.g. ↑ interactivity; social networking sites);

2. Virtual Reality (e.g. Second Life)

The Future: Virtual Reality

• Today, e.g. “Second Life”

Hiroshima Peace Park in SL

Actual Photo of Hiroshima Peace Park

Visit Japan in the 19th century

The Future: Web 2.0

• Improvement of communication modalities

e.g. Mobile synchronous audio-video

↓ bandwidth issues, ↑ quality & reliability

• Integration of communication modalities

The Future

And one technological revolution in the area of

AI/HCI• More direct

human/technology interface (Wii is transitional example)

QUESTIONS?