Melissa Fiori, Ph.D.

Virtual Language Learning Program @ Daemen College

Pilot Project 2012-2013

THE VIRTUAL LANGUAGE LEARNING PROJECT

The VLLP welcomes the potential to connect Daemen students with learners of other institutions on a national or international level, and opens the doors to an education which prepares students to embark on their post-graduate experience in an increasingly complex world.

Its purpose is resource sharing. The idea is to connect scholars and learners in real time through one-to-one and/or through one-to-many scenarios through high-definition digital connections from anywhere in the world.

VLLP: ONE to ONE

Scholar@ University

@ office

Student Bodyon Campus

  In a 1-1 scenario Daemen students (in upstate NY) will take a course with an expert in the field of study (located anywhere).

VLLP: ONE to MANY

Scholar@

University

College 1

College 3

College 4

College 2

  In the 1-many scenario one scholar (university) will teach a course populated by students at multiple colleges. 

VLLP: PLATFORMS LifeSize

• LifeSize uses high definition video architecture that allows users to connect to one another remotely. Users connect via tele-presence through high definition screens in real time. Students meet in the classroom where the videoconferencing equipment is set up.

Adobe Connect• is a web conferencing system that supports real time

chat-based (text based) discussion, document sharing, white board discussions, and more.

Blackboard• Course management system

Other Online Tools (workbooks, text resources)

Access & Tech Specs Computers: PCs, Microsoft Office Professional Plus (32-bit) LifeSize: Passport & Room 220 High Definition TV sets Headphones

Adobe Connect: Version 8 Blackboard Learn version 9.1.9.0123.0

Server Space: Blackboard, Adobe Connect Broadband: 1 gig connection rate through Cogent

Communications (the ISP) TWC 30 megs/sec download; 5 mps upload

Dedicated Classroom

VLLP Pilot @ Daemen 2012-2013

FALL VLLP COURSES 2012 SPA 240: Grammar & Culture Workshop I SPA 316: Spanish American Civilization & Culture SPA / FRE 420: Language Teaching Methods & Assessment LNG 415: Second Language Acquisition & Applied

Linguistics

SPRING VLLP COURSES 2013 SPA 101: Elementary Spanish I SPA 250: Grammar & Culture Workshop II SPA 334: Special Topics in Culture IPP  318: Technology in Education

Curriculum Range of courses taught in SPA and

ENG Range of levels taught in SPA and

ENG• The content and demands of each course

vary making them strong candidates for testing under VLLP conditions and parameters

Curriculum: SAMPLESPA 240

Content based course addressing LA history, culture, politics, etc., as well as language and grammar.

Daily discussion via Life Size and Connect Exams: iLrn & Blackboard

Homework: iLrn & Blackboard Projects & Presentations: Blackboard, web Showcase assignments = ePortfolio Online workbook -iLrn

Innovative FormatDISTANCE LEARNING STUDENT - CENTERED

Real-time Dynamic Students meet on

Campus

Not lecture oriented Dynamic interaction Multi-faceted:

synchronous audio, video, text streams along side asynchronous private and public work

Assessed

Faculty & Student Support Academic Computing Services S.M.A.R.T Squad

A student’s comment on the VLLP

“I am really enjoying the class, I think it's such a great concept. If done on an even larger scale I think it could really revolutionize education standards globally. I find it extraordinary that someone could be sitting in a third world country but still be receiving the same educational experience as someone in a more developed one (provided they have an internet connection).”

Video of a Class in Session

Notes on PreparationCreate Folders for Each Course Taught in

Adobe Connect

Notes on PreparationDevelop content for each Meeting

Notes on PreparationHold Class via Adobe Connect

Notes on Preparation

Online Workbooks

Quia / iLrn require • activities to be activated and due dates to

be set. • Book codes and course codes

Notes on Preparation

Blackboard

Blackboard housed • the course documents• Course information

Syllabi Grading criteria Assignments Space for posting work

Benefits for L2 Classes Negotiation of meaning

• Productive skills: speaking and writing• Receptive skills: listening and reading

Collaborative and cooperative learning Student centered Equalizes participation Keeps students FOCUSED Is motivational Facilitates “noticing” Facilitates attention to form and function Promotes Communicative fluency

• While still honing in on form

Other benefits Students return to lectures to review

notes, study, and re-address material Students’ minds are occupied during

class time Students take notes

• before class to be ready to contribute• after class so they have thorough class

notes

Evaluation and Assessment

Student projects are assessed project by project; grading criteria is posted in Bb

VLLP project – ongoing, real time assessment over two academic semesters• Department Meetings (impromptu,

scheduled)• CIEL Conference• College Meetings• Conferences

Evaluation and Assessment

Mic detects quiet speakers when one person speaks at a time

Soft voices not detected by mic during small group discussions.

Ideal classroom set up is with mic in the center of the room

Upload speeds of 10 mps are important