Tuesday, October 7

3:35 – 4:25

Jones 35

Presenter: Beth Kautz 

Using Authentic Audio and Video in Your Language Class

With satellite TV and the internet, resources for authentic audio and video are abound!  The question is, how can you effectively use them in your (beginning, intermediate, advanced) language classes?  In this session, we will

·     focus on creating level-appropriate tasks

·     learn techniques for practicing both receptive and productive skills

·     suggest various pre-viewing, viewing and post-viewing activities

·     explore methods for unpacking the cultural richness of the visual and audio content

Thursday, October 16

12:20 – 1:10

Jones 30

Presenters:  DeeAnn Sime, German and Bee Vang, Hmong 

Student Technology Projects

Learn how two language instructors are including technology as an integral component of their students’ language projects.  DeeAnn Sime will show the success her students have had using Powerpoint to demonstrate new vocabulary and cultural competencies and Bee Vang will show how her students use iMovie to improve their fluency.  

Wednesday, October 22

12:20 – 1:10

Jones 35

Presenters: David Atterberry and Kate Clements, ESL 

Using VideoAnt for Feedback Co-sponsored by CARLA and the ESL Forum

Instructors often provide written comments about student presentations. However, these comments can prove difficult for instructors to complete in class, and students may not understand what elements of their presentations are referenced in instructors’ comments. These problems are solved with VideoANT, an Internet-based tool which synchronizes instructors’ written annotations with students’ videotaped presentations. See a demonstration of this technology and learn about the opportunities and challenges it creates.

Thursday, October 30

12:20 pm – 1:10 pm

Jones 35

When the Textbook is Not Enough: Visualizing Culture Through Online Exercises

A textbook rarely provides full insight into the culture of the target language; the students read texts, practice grammar but still do not get a full understanding of what the target country looks like and how it really ‘is’ over there. The idea with the Swedish project was to visually bring Sweden into the classroom, as a supplement to the textbook. Using Moodle as an organizer and delivery system, each chapter in the textbook is supplemented with a picture wordlist, links to web sites where they can read about the specific topics and regions introduced in that chapter, and assignments related to both grammar and culture. Through these multi-media exercises, language learning is contextualized by contemporary Swedish culture.

Friday, October 31

2:30 pm – 3:20 pm

Jones 35

Moodle or Web-Vista?  A comparison of two course management systems

Moodle and WebVista are two course management systems in the University available for instructors to use.  Come to this presentation to learn about the similarities and differences between the two systems, to find out the major features, advantages and disadvantages of each system, and to decide which one to use for your class.

Tuesday, November 18

12:20 pm – 1:10 pm

Jones 35

Cuaderno: Online Notebook and Writing Portfolio

The Spanish department has developed Cuaderno, a system for creating and managing web-based writing portfolios. Cuaderno is designed and programmed to be flexible and adaptable to different writing tasks and projects which both the instructor and learner are able to manipulate in a secure environment. Learners have access to multiple tools that enhance and facilitate their writing, such as multimedia, rubrics, tutorials and templates. The Cuaderno system is self-populating and scalable and requires minimal administrative intervention. Though initially developed for Spanish, the Cuaderno tools can accommodate different languages and levels. Come to this presentation to learn more about Cuaderno and how it might be useful in your language program!