Blended-learning: experiences and plans

Susan Hess

Learning ChineseStarted in college, continued in graduate school;

emphasis on reading and writing

5 years in Taiwan, first in the Stanford Inter-University Program, then as a graduate student at National Taiwan University (all materials, papers, presentations in Chinese).

Continued studying Chinese; became a Chinese language instructor in Malaysia

Year 1: My only resource was a basic text and 2 audio CDs

Dialogue page Vocabulary page

Problems with the textbook

Textbook evalution using 25 criteria from Shrum and Glisan 2005 gives it a rating of 8/75

Does not incorporate ACTFL Standards for Language Learning

Not engaging to students

Covers too many topics

Year 1 solutions Discovery channel

Web quests

Animated character websites

Internet research for student projects

YouTube videos for AV content

Student-produced flip camera and Photo-Story movies

Too many teacher-produced worksheets

Year 2Participated in Teacher Leadership Project

with focus on technology integration

More student-centered projects

VoiceThread

GoAnimate

Year 3following Summer Startalk Workshop

Edmodo: Listening comprehension & oral responses

Audacity

Skype

Quizlet

Smart Response character quizzes

Redesigned Transfer tasks

MYP (IB) lesson plans

Summer 2012GMU Startalk

10-day workshop on 21st century skills; team-teaching in mini-camp

Blended Learning class

Fall 2012 plans(first year at Bullis)

New materials with audio-visual and on-line materials

Lesson plans incorporating 21st century skills

Haiku instead of Edmodo

Student-centered projects, both individual and collaborative