Group items tagged

I don't think I can annotate this article because it is a Google book and has access limitations. I have worked with Dr. Christine Appel, one of the authors of the article "Synchronous tandem language learning in a MOOC context: A study on task design and learner performance". My main interest here is: "How can we best design online synchronous tasks to achieve the optimal outcome?". Sometimes we focus too much on the tool and not so much on how we can make the most of it. The article studies real tasks to find the effects task design have in student performance.

Any learning activity in which all learners are simultaneously participating is called synchronous learning. It's real-time, highly interactive, and very social.

There are four most common synchronous formats: traditional classroom sessions, on-the-job coaching, web-based classes, and, recently, live streams in social media.

I found a lot of inspiration when I looked at this web site for activities for children to adults, ESOL, special needs, etc. Very useful!

Comic strip templates

Visually: Love it!

I have no annotation because I exceeded my limit :-( But here is the gist: This is a report from a design experiment using synchronous online communication for learning French. The problem: Canada' Core Language program for learning French as a second language resulted in a great number of students with "minimal abilities" to communicate in French. In search of a solution: to use synchronous online communication. Quoting White 2003:"the benefits of using web‐based, real‐time (synchronous) interaction and communication as follows: it is spontaneous; it motivates learners who develop a sense of community and gain energy from the group; it offers opportunities for peer feedback; and it supports the development of interactive competence. "

A bit academic but also interesting and thought-provoking.

I agree it is not easy to make students use authentic discourse online.