Distance Learning & MOOCs for Supplemental Language Learning

Distance Learning & MOOCs for Supplemental Language Learning Minsk State Linguistic University Katie Subra, subr0054@umn.edu elfbelarus.wordpress.com

Distance Learning Timeline • The first modern distance learning course was taught by Sir Isaac Pitman, who in 1840 conducted shorthand lessons via writings on postcards. • University correspondence courses followed shortly from The University of London, The University of Chicago, Open University, and others. • In the mid-20th century, radio broadcasting became a popular means of distance education • E-learning began in the 90s and is so wide-spread today that more than 1/3 of US College students complete at least one distance learning course (Lederman, D. (8 January 2013). "Growth for Online Learning". InsideHigherEd.)

Sample: MOOCs MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course, MOOCs are offered in a variety of subjects and at different levels, People from all around the world participate in MOOCs (Over 40,000 participants registered for one course that I taught), Prestigious Universities, such as UCBerkeley, MIT, Harvard, Open University,etc… https://www.edx.org/ https://www.coursera.org/ • http://www.open.ac.uk/

Reasons to Use Distance Learning: • It helps to foster independent language learning strategies in your students • You can augment your classroom instruction by using this as a flipped-classroom environment • The topics of online courses (MOOCs) are varied and most reflect the latest trends in those fields • Online courses are taught to a global audience so interaction with global peers is likely • Many are free, some are verified, and some provide certificates

The Structure of Supplementing with MOOCs: You can… Integrate them into your course Promote them as an add-on to your course Encourage students to complete them for self-study credit

Applying Course Materials Sample Lesson: Writing good thesis statements 1) Summarize the video 2) Show examples/context 3) Ask students to apply the lesson Your turn: A vocabulary lesson. As a teacher using this MOOC, how would you write your classroom lesson plan?

Bumps Along the Road Major Bumps: Unclear information from MOOC: • due dates • essay topics • peer evaluation/grading • unclear objectives • teacher tries to do too much • not everyone is equally challenged

Navigation Strategies • Run your own peer review • Match the content and delivery with your group’s needs (do a needs analysis) • Make more organized groups that are responsible for each other • Take a MOOC yourself before using it in your classroom • Make the course your own and add relevant projects (Ex: writing newsletter, student book)

Start Searching for Virtual Classes: • https://www.edx.org/ • https://www.coursera.org/ • http://courses.writinguniversity.org/ TESOL Online Courses & virtual seminars: • http://www.tesol.org/attend-and-learn/online-courses-seminars American English Shaping the Way We Teach webinars & courses: • http://shapingenglish.ning.com/ • https://www.coursera.org/course/shaping2paths

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Distance Learning & MOOCs for Supplemental Language Learning