Using Distance Learning for Teaching EFL in Multigrade Primary Schools Sophie Ioannou-Georgiou and Nicos Sifakis Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, Hellenic Open University & Research Academic Computer Technology Institute (RACTI) Learning Technologies in the Language Classroom Nicosia—Cyprus, 26-28 May 2006 Project supported by Socrates/Minerva Action (Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education)
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Using Distance Learning for Teaching EFL in Multigrade Primary Schools
Using Distance Learning for Teaching EFL in Multigrade Primary Schools. Sophie Ioannou-Georgiou and Nicos Sifakis Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, Hellenic Open University & Research Academic Computer Technology Institute (RACTI) Learning Technologies in the Language Classroom Nicosia—Cyprus, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Using Distance Learning for Teaching EFL in Multigrade Primary
SchoolsSophie Ioannou-Georgiou and Nicos Sifakis
Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, Hellenic Open University & Research Academic Computer Technology Institute (RACTI)
Learning Technologies in the Language Classroom
Nicosia—Cyprus,26-28 May 2006
Project supported by Socrates/Minerva Action (Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education)
Background to the project
• Multi-grade schools exist in most countries– Very beneficial for local community– Sometimes pose problems as regards the
children’s education
• Often these problems may be a serious reason for families moving
• …. potentially leading to school closure
Finland
Greece
Cyprus
UnitedKingdom
Poland
ResearchAcademicComputer
TechnologyInstitute
Hellenic OpenUniversity
CyprusPedagogical
Institute
University of
JyvaskylaChydenius Institute
University of
WarwickCeNTRE
NationalIn-ServiceTraining
Partnership
Issues• Greece: English language learning, although compulsory
according to the official curriculum, is not taught at all in multigrade schools (>40% of primary schools)
• Finland: Special subjects (Foreign languages, Music, Arts, handicraft) are not taught adequately well (~30% of primary schools are multigrade isolated schools)
• Cyprus: Same situation for English language learning
• Poland: Same situation for English, Science, Arts
• United Kingdom: Same situation for Foreign language learning (e.g. French)
Multigrade primary schools in Greece
• 1-teacher schools: 1039
• 2-teacher schools: 1001
• 3-teacher schools: 472
Greek Partners: Hellenic Open University, Research & Academic Computer Technology Institute
Multigrade Elementary Schools in Greece
1:02:43:0
1:82:1253:8
1:12:673:81:2
2:33:8
1:242:73:7
1:82:183:13
1:102:123:5 1:10
2:123:18
1:62:13:12
1:22:63:1
1:42:143:11
1:152:383:11
1:82:53:5
1:72:143:12
1:512:363:24
1:142:193:9
1:212:73:2
1:362:313:10
1:622:243:18
1:672:243:12
1:212:193:13
1:32:93:1
1:292:193:3 1:26
2:83:1
1:822:343:13
1:202:183:6
1:372:353:211:19
2:133:9
1:52:33:11
1:92:83:181:10
2:213:14
1:152:183:6
1:472:413:11
1:382:533:26 1:21
2:123:5
1:292:273:10
1:292:183:6
1:122:153:7
1:132:183:9
1:162:123:12
1:42:53:2
1:212:113:0
1:122:83:3
1:172:163:14
1:122:33:9
1:752:353:19
1:42:23:2
1:02:43:2
1:152:243:13
1:32:103:4
1:152:103:6
1:242:53:2
1teacher: 1039
2teacher: 1001
3teacher: 472
Sum: 2512
Number and percentage of students at Multigrade
Elementary Schools(according to the total number of the
Prefecture's Elementary Schools’ students)
183912%
Total in Greece: 27.012 students
4% of the total number of students at Elementary Schools
1203
21%46810%
613
15%
17429%
6549%
260
16%
4987%
318
35%
81910%
7755%
173513%
1887%
110913%
1938
19%
19443%
4545%
228311%
1081%
1716%
1409
16%2258
34%
1005
15%
32910%
3585%
1536%
57212%
8318%
88510%
74310%
1342
28%
215313%
4729%
4597%
585%
7836%
86410%
133113%
84110%
49314%
924
15%
34513%
8879%
1334
17%
7899%
977
27%
336
16%
5508%
3734%
2898%
5610.5%
7753%
Multigrade Schools in FinlandType
of the school
Numbers Change from
2005-06
Pupils Teachers
Small school/
Multigrade school
1243 -106 38330 3645
Finnish Partners: Chydenius Institute, Kokkola University Consortium
Multigrade Schools in Poland
• about 300 multigrade (primary) schools
• often shut down by the local authorities
• supported financially / run by different private and social associations
Polish partner: NATIONAL IN-SERVICE TECHER TRAINING CENTRE (NTTC)
Multigrade Schools in Cyprus
1-teacher schools 1
2-teacher schools 40
• Cyprus partner: Cyprus Pedagogical Institute
Problems . . .
• Complete absence of certain lessons
• A lower quality educational experience for multigrade students (in some subjects)
• Lack of support for the teacher
• Lack of wider socialisation of the students
• Fewer learning experiences for the students
Project MustLearnIT:A proposed solution
• Employ existing school resources and technological infrastructure– One computer per classroom– Most basic level of Internet access
• Maximise use of existing more specialised/experienced teachers in larger schools
• Use existing textbooks and materials• Employ distance learning
– A combination of both synchronous and asynchronous modes of learning
Project MustLearnIt:A proposed solution
• Integrate multigrade students in larger school classrooms
• Provide support for the multigrade teachers and train them through mentoring and collaborative work
IMPLEMENTATING DISTANCE LEARNING TO YOUNG LEARNERS
Challenges faced:
Pedagogical
Operational
Technical
Pedagogical Challenges
• subject-matter-oriented– e.g. practising all 4 skills – using communicative language, etc.
• learning-oriented– e.g. providing feedback – anticipating problems (especially in the asynchronous
mode)• integrating web-based learning into the school
• Balancing Synchronous Vs Asynchronous Learning• Value for both schools• Synchronous Materials
– learner/computer arrangement – delivery and role of mother tongue– central vs. remote school: balancing participation– need to encourage and include interactivity with
teacher– need to encourage and include interactivity between
They should, therefore:• be well structured• have variety of levels• offer feedback to the learner• offer feedback to the teacher• include added value offered by technology (e.g. variety of media, interactivity, etc.)
Technical Challenges
• Low bandwidth– does not support video– may cause delays or break up in audio or
complete loss of connection if many people join
• Irregular Internet connections– scheduled lessons may not materialise
• Sometimes not enough computers available
Other practical challenges
• Preparation of educational materials for synchronous and asynchronous learning is time-consuming
• Teachers need on-site support
• Students and teachers need training
• Progress of central and remote school most probably will not coincide
Solutions found by project partners:
• Synchronous Learning Platform: “CENTRA”
Supports video and audio
Includes:• Whiteboard • Text-chatting function• Option for dividing students into groups• Projecting presentations• Web safari• Saving interactions/lessons
Solutions found by project partners:
• Asynchronous Distance Learning support platform (MOOdle)– Uploading activities and instructions– Student forums– Enables student tracking
Solutions found by project partners:
• Support for the teachers:– Face-to-face training– Online help by project coordinators– Asynchronous forum for support by project
coordinators – Asynchronous forum for support between teachers– Preparation of materials and lesson plans by
coordinators in coordination with teachers– On-site technical set-up– On-site visits by subject specialists
Where are we now?
• Completed piloting phase in Cyprus, Greece and Poland and Finland:– First set of materials– Teacher training– Student training– Technical issues
• Continuing the design of lesson plans and materials
• Preparing further training for the teachers• Sorting out identified technical problems
Where are we now?
• Designing evaluation methods for the project:– Motivational issues– Learning issues
• Full-scale implementation as of September/ October, 2006