Innovation in TOOL
Stefan ColibabaTOOL coordinator
Creativity and Innovation to Promote Multilingualism and Intercultural Dialogue
Iasi, June 25 – 26, 2009
Innovation
The 5 courses - Estonian, Dutch, Hungarian, Maltese, Slovene – follow the didactics of:
• the strategic European instruments for language learning and language acquisition – CEFR & ELP
• blended learning and
• use the applications of Web 2.0 and communication technology in the teaching/learning of a new language
Target group: adult (professionals) living/travelling to the host countries for jobs/entertainment and who have already acquired a basic level of language (A1).
TOOL and the CEFR/ELP
Processes where TOOL made use of the principlesput forth by the CEFR/ELP: planning and elaboratingthe 5 language courses, planning and elaborating theTutor support:
Syllabus design
Planning teaching for individual learning paths with description of competences and identification of the means to attain them
(Self)evaluation of competences: Learning goals/learning outcomes, exit tests, quality grid
Tutor/student guides, quality grid
TOOL and Blended Learning
Tutor teaching management vs student learning management (content/skills control, monitoring, uploading, moderation)
Low hierarchy between tutor and student, shared roles
Encourages adult learning (flexible, autonomous, based on needs and preferences re: topics, skills, situations, development of cultural competences)
Aims at creating affective group bonding as a learning motivator by using interactivity (forums, collaborative tasks, wikis etc.)
Online component allows for flexibility of student choices
Face-to-face component focuses on training oral interaction, skills necessary for platform work, monitoring language acquisition
TOOL time allocation
120 course hours: 80-90 online hours 30-40 face to face
Online component 12 units x 5 online hours each = 60 hours 3 consolidation units x 6 online hours each = 18 hours Orientation 2-4 online hours Final test: 2-4 hours
Total: 82-86 hours
Transparent quality standards
Set by CEFR/ELP through competence descriptors; quality grid
Processes for quality assurance: self-evaluation, online tutor, task-based problem-solving approaches to language acquisition
Web 2.0
Integration of communication technologydevelopments allows for innovation in FL didactics
Social sites for interaction Platform blogs Wikis IPods Podcasts
language learning instruments & learning motivators
Audio & video files Virtual tour Student communication via messages Blog and skype Forum Structured content in .pdf
Instruments for tutor and learner assistance
Platform orientation Tutor guide Student guide
Valorisation of TOOL courses
Generic Country specific Project specific
Generic factors influencing valorisation
Number of people who speak the language worldwide and their mobility; reasons for their mobility
Attitude of diaspora to language and cultural values promoted by mother country
‘Attractiveness’ (jobs, tourism, positioning) of the country where the language is spoken
International regulations re: the role of language competence in workforce mobility policies
Country specific factors
Regulations re:
Work permits Job promotion Granting citizenship Diaspora Country attractiveness for jobs or entertainment Country rules certifying language competences
acquired systematically through graded exams
Project specific factors
A wider impact of TOOL courses depends on:
Joint marketing with other LWULT platforms (ALL) Sales procedures in place Accessible and consistent info on the courses in the
marketing process Technical maintenance of platform Prompt online tutoring Helpdesk
Use of wiki as a tool for collaborative writing (web 2.0)
Using microblogging
for collaborative writing:
(TWITTER)
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