Seed project 2014-2015 Project title: Grammar and e-learning for Communication (GEL.com) Project Code: NT0114

1. Seed project 2014-2015Project title:Grammar and e-learning for Communication (GEL.com) Project Code: NT0114 NET Section, CDI

2. Grammar and e-learning for Communication (GEL.com) This project: • was launched initially with a view to encouraging participating schools to parallel the current educational trend of e-learning; • aims to develop school-based grammar learning programmes at KS2; and • promotes e-learning for enhancing the overall English language competence of students for real-life communication.

3. In this third year of implementation, it is expected that through GEL.com: • students’ motivation and capacity to use grammar for communication will be strengthened through engaging and interactive activities that involve the integration of the four language skills and the use of e-tools and resources; • students will learn at their own pace while being given the opportunities to closely collaborate and actively communicate with their learning partners;

4. teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and skills relating to the design and use of e-Learning tools and resources for the learning, teaching and assessment of grammar and communicative competence at the upper primary level will be enhanced; and • a good range of pedagogical strategies will be identified to exploit the potential of e-Learning tools and resources to support the development of students’ grammar competence for communication.

5. What is e-learning? “We will call e-learning all forms of electronic supported learning and teaching, which are procedural in character and aim to effect the construction of knowledge with reference to individual experience, practice and knowledge of the learner.” The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 2004

6. What is e-learning in the GEL project? We envisage that: • teachers and the GEL.com team will use existing software, hardware and/or develop their own resources; • the resources will be developed in conjunction with the school’s English Language curriculum; • students will interactwith the designed programme; and • students can learn at their own pace.

7. Information technology for interactive learning: • enhances learners’ motivation and language skills through a process that allows immediate feedback; • allows learners to take charge of their learning at a pace that suits their ability level; • encourages learners to become critically active users of English; and • engages learners in interactive and/or collaborative work. Adapted from ELCG 2004 p. 105-6

8. Proposed GEL project approach The e-learning activities could be embedded within text types or themes which: - allow for authentic communication; - are readily available on the internet; - focus students’ learning in line with their GE programme/ textbook themes/ grammar structures being taught; and - encourage the use of the four language skills through interactive activities.

9. Grammar in GEL.com: • The grammar items selected for use in the project will be based on the school’s General English programme/ textbook. • The selected grammar items will be taught in context. • The items will be taught and practised in a logical continuum: - focusing on the structure, formation and meaning of an item; - practising with some attention to meaning rather than communicating new messages; - practising in a context where it communicates new information; and - communicating in situations which elicit the pre-learnt item.

10. Implementing the project Within the GEL project, the Seed school/s will work towards: • developing meaningful e-learning tasks to support the learning of grammar in context; • using knowledge gained in these tasks for real-world communication; and • developing methods of assessment to gauge the effectiveness of e-learning activities in enhancing communication.

11. The Seed school is expected to: • nominate an experienced and committed Coordinating Teacher to liaise with the NET Section for a year; • provide strong and stable internet and intranet access including wi-fi; • provide a computer room with an upgraded system (including technical support) and sufficient hardware to cater for every class; • identify a year level in KS2 for the GEL project; • deploy the NET to that particular year level; • allocate at least one hour per week for a collaborative planning meeting for all project teachers; • allocate 45 - 60 minutes of lesson time per week to the project (some double lesson time is preferable); • support data collection, e.g. classroom observation, video recordings of GEL lessons/tasks, interviewing students/teachers; and • share with other schools their experiences in conducting the project.

12. Coordinating Teacher (CT) The CT is expected to: • collaborate with ATs in the NET Section to develop, evaluate and implement e-learning programmes; • participate in professional development programmes on relevant topics; • coordinate the planning, implementation and evaluation of the GEL project in the school in liaison with the NET Section; • take the leading role in collaborative planning meetings for the GEL project in the school; • develop, teach and evaluate GEL tasks with project teachers within their own schools; and • share good practices with other schools.

13. The Role of the NET The NET is expected to play a role by : • teaching and/or participating in the school’s collaborative planning in the GEL grade level; • supporting the Coordinating Teacher in developing and using e-learning materials and activities; and • supporting data collection and assisting in the dissemination of good practices from the GEL project.

14. Project Proposal Education Bureau Circular Memorandum NO. 7/2014 Curriculum Interface, Self-directed Learning and e-learning 2014 Project title: Grammar and e-learning for Communication (GEL.com) Project code: NT 0114 Section: Native-speaking English Teacher Section, Curriculum Development Institute Fill in Appendix C (pages 50/51 of the above Circular) Deadline for Application: Friday 28 February 2014

15. Enquiries Ms Teresa Chu Assistant Project Manager (2) Tel: 3549 8336 Fax: 3549 8378 E-mail: teresachu@edb.gov.hk