Deirdre Kramer [email protected] Cynthia Lundgren [email protected] Deirdre Kramer [email protected] Cynthia Lundgren [email protected].

Deirdre Kramer [email protected]

Cynthia Lundgren [email protected]

Deirdre Kramer [email protected]

Cynthia Lundgren [email protected]

Context ESL Licensure Program

1983: ESL licensure rule approved in MN1984: Hamline University approved to offer the first

ESL K-12 teacher licensure program in State

1997: Online offerings begin for some ESL licensure courses. Over the next several years, all licensure

coursework would be online with one exception…

2008: ESL Methods, the final licensure course, offered

online.

Constructivism, our definition:Instructional Goals that are INTERACTIVE:

Engaging: recognizes the tenets of adult learning principles

Challenging: requires the application of SLA theories and general linguistic knowledge into lesson design and delivery

Community-based: recognizes the co-constructed nature of knowledge

Traditional online course design:Traditional online course design:

Content + Ss = Learning Content + Ss = Learning

Our approach:Our approach:Philosophy ( Content + Ss) = Learning

Where philosophy is defined as:engaging,challenging,community-based.

Philosophy ( Content + Ss) = Learning

Where philosophy is defined as:engaging,challenging,community-based.

Our philosophy, grounded in Constructivist Theory and best practice for adult learners requires students to INTERACT with course concepts and each other in order to develop and demonstrate knowledge of course concepts.Interaction took place through onlineProjectsPresentationsGroup workDiscussionsActivities

How did we translate a face to face course to online?Step 1: Establish a design team: content expert, tech expert minimum, we also had a “bridging” expert.

Step 2: Deconstruct (or create) the course goals, objectives and principles. Carefully examine the purpose for every lesson, activity, assignment. For new courses, this step integrates the standards required by the state and/or NCATE as well as the determination of how knowledge will be demonstrated by students (assessment).

Step 3: Given the nature of the course, we identified 4 critical knowledge strands: review, new content, community building, assessment. Purpose of instruction (course goals/objectives) were clarified within each strand.

Step 4: Make choices about interaction and technology.

Community Building StrandAssignment: “Mingle” to discuss and answer questions.Technology: Wiki

Review Strand:Assignment: Jigsaw - read, review and present a synthesis of various SLA theories.Technology: Powerpoint and Elluminate.

New Material StrandAssignment: Jigsaw Readings on vocabulary research, answer specific questions, discuss and synthesize key information in like groups, present overview in cross-study groups.Technology: word doc, wiki for like groups, wiki for jigsaw

Assessment Strand:Assignment: Group developed vocabulary lesson planTechnology: Wiki

Our process and beliefs: Most of our students have some teaching experience. Acknowledging their prior knowledge and world experiences is essential in supporting their engagement in the course. Students bring a wealth of knowledge with them to the course.

We also know, as ESL specialists, teaching through a language lens is difficult. New information and ways of thinking must be provided to students and they must have structured opportunities to apply new information and language specific methodologies to real-life situations – the challenge element of the course. Course content must be made explicit, as well as the opportunities for application.

New knowledge is co-constructed. This happens through sharing knowledge, the community-based element, reflecting upon and challenging one’s currently held beliefs. Interaction with new information and with colleagues supports this co-construction of knowledge.

The Philosophy, Constructivism & the CourseTwo Dimensions -

CONTENT, Presentation & Activities:Engagement: Students bring a wealth of knowledge with them to the course.

Challenging: Course content must be made explicit, as well as the opportunities for application.

PEOPLE, Instructor & Students:Community-based: New knowledge is co-constructed.

Evidence of Philosophy in Course Design

Teacher LedCourse Material Presentations Monitored connection

between teacher andstudents

Presentation Activity

Student reflection and discovery Collaborative Assignments

Student Led