Teaching Vocabulary Through a Blended-Learning Approach

Randa Abdelmagid – rfouad@vt.edu

*Language and Culture Institute, Virginia Tech*CALL-IS Electronic Village Events

TESOL International, 25-28 March 2015,

Toronto, Canada

© 2015 Randa Abdelmagid All Rights Reserved

About Blended Learning

The most distinguishable characteristics of blending learning is its ability to combine two different forms/setting of learning and instruction (Singh, 2001).

Instruction takes place: offline (traditional/face-to-face classroom)

online (web-based). The web enhancements can be considered as a supplement to the pedagogical goals of the classroom (Wingard, 2004).

The percentage of time and activity spent by students either on the online or offline classroom is usually dependent on the nature of the course and the preference of the instructor.

Some Types of Blended Learning

In-class Online

F2F Driver Instructors deliver most of the curriculum

Instructors provide online resources to supplement or revise course material which students can study at home, in the classroom or in a technology lab.

Rotation Instructors develop content in such a way that students rotate on a fixed schedule between F2F learning and learning online in a one-to-one, self-paced environment.

Flex Instructors provide on-site support and as a required basis through in-person tutoring and small group sessions.

Instructors deliver most of the curriculum through an online platform.

Online Lab Instructors interact with students through pre-recorded videos, audio and video conferences or discussion forums and email.

The entire course and teaching are done online.

Advantages

:Instructors can: Students can:

Utilize a wide range of resource materials.

Become more engaged using online content vs. pencil and practice paperwork.

Combine resources (lectures, readings etc.) with interactive, self-paced materials.

Be able to get real-time feedback and know their progress.

Organize digital content material thus eliminating the high cost of purchasing and using textbooks in the classroom.

Control how fast or slow they need to go through the activities.

Manage class work - plan for small-group instruction.

Learn how to become independent learners.

Constraints

Time consuming: Plan and prepare additional activities that

supplement in-class curriculum.

Organize the necessary information for online use.

Maintain and update online activities.

Keep track of students progress online.

Teaching Vocabulary

In-class Activities

Visual ImagesDefinitions Applying Words

Teaching Vocabulary

Online Activities

Web-based activities Collaborative game-

based activities

QUIA Crosswords & Jeopardy

QUIA WEB (www.quia.com)

What instructors can develop: What students can do:

Create a classroom setting with students’ rosters.

Access drill and practice activities to improve their vocabulary.

Online activities (jumbled words, flash cards, matching, concentration, word search activities, hangman etc.) with or without images.

Access timed quizzes to practice speed in answering questions.

Online quizzes (fill-in-blanks, multiple choice, true-false, pop-up, multiple correct, initial answer, short answer, essay, matching, ordering).

Can attempt quizzes/activities more than once when permitted by the instructor.

Question bank (questions that you keep in one place and used later on for your activities and quizzes).

View mistakes and their scores on the spot if they are auto-graded.

First View

Steps in Creating a Class

Class Information

View

Edit

Roster

Username and password for students to log in

Gradebook

Making Activities

Develop/Edit Activities

Making/Editing Quiz

Making Quizzes

This how it looks like

Student Reports

Reports

Question Bank

Question Bank

What instructors can do What students can do

Develop games for students for class activities based on words taught.

Work with the group and create games.

Assign group projects based on vocabulary learnt in class.

Use vocabulary learnt in class in the games themselves.

Save work for future use. Present the games in-class.

Print out games.

Save wordlist for future uses for crosswords.

Create Pdf files from crossword games

Share games with others in jeopardy.

Collaborative Game-based Activities

Jeopardyhttps

://www.superteachertools.net/jeopardyx/

Jeopardy

Jeopardy – Old Version

Examplehttps://www.superteachertools.net/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=1411551050#.VRBB-I7F9uM

Jeopardy – New Version

Jeopardy – New Version

Examplehttps://www.superteachertools.net/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=1427112100

Scoreboard for both versions

Timing of Questions for both versions

Crosswordhttp://worksheets.theteacherscorner.net/make-your-own/crossword/

Crossword

• Quia Web – 30 days free trial then $49/year

• Crossword/Jeopardy - Free

General Information

References

• http://www.edutopia.org/blog/film-festival-blended-learning-resources

• http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/trends/562-different-forms-of-blended-learning-in-classroom

THANK YOU