Is your Foreign Language Course Bound by the Course LMS? Struggle No More.

[Kara Mac Donald]

Your Name and Title:

Kara Mac Donald, Associate Professor, Faculty Trainer Specialist

School or Organization Name:

Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

Co-Presenter Name(s):

Unsoon Won, Associate Professor, Faculty Trainer Specialist

Area of the World from Which You Will Present:

Monterey, CA USA

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): Online Educators, Foreign Languages Teachers, Instructional Designers

Short Session Description (one line):

Is your Foreign Language Course Bound by the Course LMS? Struggle No More.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

The design of most Learning Management Systems (LMS) does not differ much from those developed at the outset of online learning. The models put an emphasis on course management and administration, through the use of an online gradebook, posted syllabus, assignment tracking, and linked/uploaded course materials. Online collaboration consists exclusively via threaded discussion boards and fixed-format assessments. Even though this may effectively serve the acquisition of knowledge across many disciplines, it does not foster development of and proficiency in a skill area, such as foreign language. To compensate for the limitations of online course LMS, Web 2.0 and mobile learning technology serve as pivotal tools in diversifying online language instruction to foster proficiency, develop learner autonomy, offer interactive language learning, and empower learners. The tools offer learners’  ability to access various mobile apps allowing interactive language practice in the context of the real world. This means that learners have the ability to access authentic target language content, create personalized products, and share the information from anywhere while taking advantage of the adaptability of mobile apps and communication tools in online learning. The presentation addresses; a) the principle models of online communicative foreign language activity design, b) instructional strategies for teachers to facilitate interaction/collaboration in such activities, c) guidelines for creating and implementing task-based instruction to enhance authentic learning in the online course, d) integration of mobile apps and online tools to support online communicative, task-based language learning experience

 

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: N/A