Summary
– Main objectives of the Virtual Exchange
The exchanges will provide the participants with an opportunity for experiential learning in which they will experience telecollaboration as a participant so that they can understand the complexity of such exchanges and the issues involved. The experience is expected to enhance their understanding of telecollaboration for TESOL/ELT and how it can be used in teaching.
– Targeted learning outcomes
The participants will: (1) develop digital linguistic, communicative and plurilingual skills that are required to communicate effectively and appropriately with other people in online contexts; (2) practice digital communication and collaboration skills which will allow you to interact, communicate and collaborate through digital technologies with TESOL students from other cultures, in this case Turkey; (3) use co-operation and conflict resolution skills needed when engaging with others on joint activities and tasks.
– Global task description
We create 3 tasks based on the following sequences:
http://uni-collaboration.eu/node/394
http://uni-collaboration.eu/node/463
SLO: Learners will (1) explore what VE is and how it can be used in language teaching and learning, (2) learn about various types of tasks used in VE, (3) explore online tools for e-literacy and intercultural exchange
Task 1: Getting to know each other: http://uni-collaboration.eu/node/115 (as whole group, Padlet)
Task 2: Creating a group identity: http://uni-collaboration.eu/node/458 (in small groups of 4-5, synchronous / Zoom + Google slides)
Task 3: E-literacy: exploring online tools: http://uni-collaboration.eu/node/332 (in small groups of 4-5, synchronous / Zoom)
Partners
| Partner / department | Course | Language of instruction | Number of students |
| Newcastle University | ALC8022 Computer-Assisted Language Learning | English | 26 |
| TED University | ELE 302 Technology-enhanced Language Learning | English | 20 |
Start and end date
18 February 2019 – 31 March 2019
The exchange was repeated in 2020 with minor changes.
Duration
6 weeks
Discipline
Teacher training with subject specialisation
Integration and assessment
The course syllabus involves exploring a specific aspect of CALL, and the students learn to use various technologies to develop teaching materails. One week of the course is devoted to CMC and telecollaboration, and the VE will provide the platform for experience and practice in this. There is also emphasis on digital/multi literacies and multimodal composition throughout the module. The tasks in this VE will also support creation of Padlet posts and Google Slides posters to represent individual and group identity.
The VE tasks are not assessed by the teacher, but participation is essential. However, the students will be able to self-assess their experience through identifying their expectations as part of Task 1, and reflecting on their experience following each task on their e-portfolios.
Technology tools used
– Learning environment
N/A
– Collaboration tools
Padlet, Zoom, Google Slides
– Reflection tool
e-portfolios using Microsoft Word (not shared)