18 September 2007 | 9:04 am | Ryan
To comply with fire code, we’re now keeping the front doors to the lab closed during normal operating hours. We still like you and want you to enjoy the space, though - please don’t let the closed doors stop you from coming in!
(Just be careful when you’re leaving, purty puh-leaze … we wouldn’t want anybody to get hit by a door flying open.)
14 September 2007 | 3:49 pm | Barbara Sawhill
Beginning TODAY, the CILC will host weekly “brownbags” on technology and language learning for language teachers. Teachers from other disciplines are welcome to attend.
The session topics will change weekly. Ample time will be allowed for questions. Suggestions are always welcome for topics.
Time: Mondays 12:15-1:00 and Thursdays 12:30-1:15 (same topic, repeated)
Location: Peters 327 (the smart room inside of the CILC)
What to bring: your lunch… in a brown bag or otherwise (we will provide beverages)
The week of September 17th: Skype for language learning and exchanges
Come and learn how Skype (which is free and is installed on all of the CILC machines) can be used for language learning. Information will be shared about how to use Skype as well as how teachers can find native speakers with whom their students can talk using this tool.
The week of September 24th: Blogging and language learning
What is a blog? What is the difference between a blog and a discussion board? Are there different types of blogging tools? How have they been used at Oberlin in language classes? Okay fine, but how do you grade this stuff and are the students really learning? A lively conversation will undoubtedly ensue…
The week of October 1st: iPods and language learning
The ubiquitous iPod… yes, they are everywhere, but how can they be used for language teaching and learning by teachers and students? Note: the CIT has graciously loaned the CILC several ipods w/microphones this semester. Bring your ideas and be ready to brainstorm ways in which these tools could be useful in the language classroom and beyond.
The week of October 8th: Interactive audio
We will provide a quick review DL Recorder, the tool we are using in the CILC for student recordings, as well as other free, interactive, web-based tools that can be used to record students’ voices and comments.
The week of October 15th: What is this thing you call Moodle?
Moodle is an open source course management tool that supports all of the languages we teach and then some. It was created by an educator (it was supposed to be this PhD dissertation project but it became wildly popular and the man is still ABD…10+ years later) Moodle is built on constructivist teaching methods and is a flexible, easily adapted tool that can serve a variety of purposes for language learning. The ILC hosts a Moodle Server. Examples of how Moodle is being used in the languages will be shared. Erin (who will have recently returned from a NITLE meeting on Moodle) will share information about the tool and what new features we can expect to see in the coming weeks/months.
FALL BREAK: Please note: we would be delighted to explore any of the above tools and ideas with faculty during Fall break. Please contact us to set up a time to meet!
