Download - From blackboard to virtual world
A journey through changes in English language Learning
My first students!Facilities were basic
We had fun, we learned a lot, took & passed exams A bit silly too!
Things didn’t change very much
Ooh! New technology! Green boards – with the roller kind more content was visible
cleanereasier to write no more broken chalk!
New Technology
Student experiences not so very different
White boards! – colour coding!
Language labs – we all felt like airline pilots!
All my student teachers were dab hands with an Ohp!!
In the 1990s things began to fall apart
Workloads got heavierSpending got leanerLanguage training decisions made in house‘International English’ resulted in a reduced need for learning
Frustration for both teachers and ‘students’
The Millennium Student
Lessons go from 2 hours to 90 or 60 minutesFrom once a week to whenever it can be fitted inHomework almost impossible
Many stuck at post FCE level – yet need more
I want to learn
I want to teach
I’m too busy to have regular lessons
We have computers with internet access
Can we work something out?
We have mobiles and Skype
There is a lot of ‘dead time’
Let’s find a way!
I have the language expertise
Extra grammar exercises for individual learning
Fun things!
Lots of new vocabulary
How to create an effective online space?
What are the things that students enjoy and learn best from?
Can we do this effectively online?
Interactive, collaborativeactivities
Things they can get their teeth into
Robust exercises
Challenges!
Independent learningactivities
Lots of variety
My solution!
Skills Exercises
Grammar
Business Exercises
Reading
Vocabulary
Writing
Listening
Other Language Activities
Poetry
Short stories
Blogs
Wiki
Interactive Games
Messaging, chat networks
Finding the right business model
Flexibility
Individual subscriptionFree space
Organisational & schoollicence
Revenue share
Joint venture
Partnership
Franchise
What to do about Speaking?Many of our students were in the UKThey use English at work
A blended approach We offer face-to-face too
Too many excuses!!
Not good enough!!The solution – Skype – using Gapfillers material
Less relevant to non UKAdvanced students probably ok
Comfortable in our technology skin
Student Karma