Mar 5 2007
LingualGamers have some great ideas, Specialist Gateways and NING!
Recently I was MADE (sorry tutors) to read an article called ‘Specialist Gateways through Chaos: changing learning Environment’ – Hogan-Brun.
Here is my Summary…
The paper sets out to discuss whether the ‘WEB’ can provide resources for improving the skills of students within the areas of ‘multilingual and multicultural competencies.’
What does this paper say about online learning sources …:–
• The workplace now needs many ‘broader transferable skills’, which focus on cultural understanding and language communication.
• The author suggests that the above links with other skills linked with collaboration, digital fluency etc are what employers are now looking for.
• Classroom language learning is often isolated and dry, and it is important considering the skills needed that language learning is placed into real life situations so that the language skills are based on these transferable skills and cultural understanding.
• The Internet is a perfect place for this type of learning due to the tools available:- hyperlinks, multimedia, quick changing of content, equality of access, anywhere and anytime and interactivity.
• Students can get lost in the ‘jungle of hyperlinks’ unless guided through content so that students are immersed within the language to a correct level and within content that is relevant to them.
• Search engine skills need to be developed along with use of other tools online such as dictionaries.
• Most importantly the Internet allows for communication with native speakers in real life settings using: e-mail, discussion groups etc. The author discusses examples including medical students being part of a professional medical forum.
• Tutors may need to provide ‘specialist gateways’ – maybe portals to funnel students into an easy and quick way to realise learning objectives – either on the net or through guided worksheets.
• Students now want language learning to be: – fun, entertaining, engaging and relevant to their needs by being up-to-date.
• The author discusses various web tasks with feedback from students which is positive but some experiences that are negative include:- slow, inaccurate, confusing…
• Only 11% of students said they understood web strategies for language learning…
• IT learning environments can promote students in positions of power, as collaborators, and sharers of information and understanding….and the author concludes that ICT can bridge the ‘gap between classroom learning and real-life learning.’
What are the Implications ….:–
• The ‘jungle’ in 2001 is now a much larger jungle if not solar system interplanetary jungle of content and information on the web (see Karl Fisch presentation ) and the authors implication that students need to understand how to navigate, find and use information is very IMPORTANT. Since 2001 Web 2.0 the Read/Write web or whatever you call it is now changed the face of what information is on the web and so understanding of this is important.
• Teachers as guides is also a very important idea, so that the likes of web-quests or portals can be used to help a students not get lost…
• Multimedia elements and the like of podcasting, social networks and weblogs now means that communication can be even more linked as students can personally publish and interact….there is now even a specific social network site for MFL learners where you specify language you would like o learn etc
Personal Thoughts
• The paper is a little general and broad and at times seems antiquated – written in 2001 and this does show as ICT and online learning has changed beyond all recognition within 6 years.
• The focus on cultural understanding with language learning is one I would agree with having lived in a variety of countries and as much as understanding particular language getting to understand the mindset and culture is as important.
Strengths/Weaknesses of article/ Do the arguments resonate with my experiences?
• AS suggested above out dated and very general.
• The views from the users end are difficult to understand, judge or take seriously without any real information about them – who are they, what tasks did they do…etc…
Sorry Lingual Gamers – Discussion on your wonderful website and ideas will have to wait until tomorrow….
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