---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leonardo Project Nr. A/05/B/F/LA-158.238

From Face-to-Face to Blended Learning - English for Students of Social Sciences

Steffen Skowronek / Christoph Lehker

EUROCALL SHOW AND TELLSEPTEMBER 5, 2007

EUROVOLT via VLE

European Vocational Online Language Teaching and Vocational Online Language Learning via a

Virtual Learning Environment

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1. PROJECT TASK: DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS

Components A) VOLT: Language TeachingDevelopment of teacher training modules for the training of online tutors/teachers onlinePiloting of the teacher training modules

B) VOLL: Language Learning Development of modules for vocationally oriented language learningPotsdam: Course design and materials development „English for Students of Social Sciences“ as a blended learning course

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2. Needs analysis: Language and ICT

LANGUAGE

• Placement test of the language centre

• Skills level for individual skills (DIALANG)

• Learning techniques / independent language learning

ICT / VLE

• VLEs as online libraries

• VLEs as „exercise machines“

• VLEs as means of communication and collaboration

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3. Learners‘ experiences and opinions

Methods

1. Pre-project questionnaire

2. Week 5 and Week 13 questionnaires

3. Forum: „Sharing Your Moodle Experiences“, Weeks 5/6

4. Results and grades

5. (User logs)

6. Classroom discussions

7. Oral interviews (post-project)

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3. Learners‘ experiences and opinions (n=36)(interesting and useful experience: 1 not at all to 5 very …)

3.8 3.5 Use of the platform for the whole course 3.8 4.0 Vocabulary / terminology exercises3.6 3.6 Grammar, all grammar sections3.1 3.4 Grammar explanations3.9 3.6 Deduction of grammar rules 3.7 3.8 Grammar tasks and exercises4.1 4.0 Reading tasks and feedback3,7 3,0 Listening Tasks4,1 4.0 Writing tasks and feedback

3.8 N.A. Forum discussionsN.A. 3.4 Use of students‘ platform work in class3,8 3,8 Integration between online und face-to-face components 3,8 3,7 Use of online work / grammar in class3,78 3,64 Average of all results

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3. Learners‘ experiences and opinions (n=36)

Language level week 5: 4 x lower than idealLanguage level week 13: 2 x lower than ideal, 3 x higher than ideal

Students‘ comments and suggestions

• „The extent of observation and control is a big disadvantage for me. [ … ] I feel I‘m being watched all the time.“• Technical problems, esp. when using multimedia• Feedback in open-ended and semi-open exercises and tasks not sufficient. (Writing and translation tasks)• Speaking in class and face-to-face discussions are more important!• Results should be discussed more often in class.• Exercises should be printet out.• VLE usability issues: individual students report lack of structure and missing functionalities----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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3. Learners‘ experiences and opinions

Praise / mixed results

„Habe vorher nie von der VLE Moodle gehört, war aber angenehm überrascht.“

“It is more fun to use this program than doing one’s homework the "old way”.

„Gut gewählter Wortschatz im Glossary Part - auch sehr positiv, dass dort nicht nur einfach Wörter aufgelistet wurden, sondern auch Synonyme und Beispiele gegeben wurden.“

„Ich brauchte einige Zeit, um mich einzugewöhnen, aber als Mitglied der "Online- Generation" ging das relativ fix. Da ich kein Freund von in Heftern geordneten Zetteln und Arbeitblättern bin, ist es für mich eine übersichtliche und vereinfachte Form des Lernens. I like it.“

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4. The teacher‘s perspective

What is usefulLess time for comparison of results and corrections needed in class Exercises can be used / tasks completed according to individual needs Learning success and failure to learn can be attributed more easilyStudents actually have to learn independently (and develop techniques)Enhanced motivation through challenging tasks and more variety

Thorny issuesPotential problems with students who generally dislike ICT for learning (n=2)More stabile technology needed, both in the multimedia lab and at home„Copy-and-paste“ culture (between students n=? and from Internet sources n=5)Ratio between time for development and usage timeStudents expect high-quality, individualized feedback

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5. Examples of VLE content

Reading tasks and glossary (help and additional

information)

Vocabulary (Exercises and links)

Grammar (learning paths)

Translation / Writing tasks (and feedback)

Role plays

Discussion fora / chats

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6. Beispiele für VLE-Inhalte

Reading tasks and glossary (help and additional

information)

Vocabulary (Exercises and links)

Grammar (learning paths)

Writing (and feedback)

Role plays

Discussion forum / chat

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Steffen Skowronek, E-mail: skowron@uni-potsdam.deUniversity of Potsdam, Language Center

EUROVOLT via VLE www.eurovolt.net/

GUEST ACCESS

http://moodle.spz.uni-potsdam.de/moodleGo to “Englisch”, click “Eurovolt for Teachers / Guests …”

Click the button: “Anmelden als Gast”

STUDENT / TEACHER ACCESS Please e-mail Steffen Skowronek: skowron@uni-potsdam.de and ask

me for the registration key.

Thank you very much for listening to this presentation.