Building International Communication Online with Pearson English Interactive

Michael Rost Michael.rost@latcomm.com

http://latcomm.com/2015/03/pei-presentation-tesol-2015/

What is PEI?

Why is PEI of potential value?

• A Situation-Complication-Resolution Framework• A Situation-Complication-Resolution Framework

The Situation: Chat Question #1

How would you describe your own experience as a student with “online learning” or “virtual training”? (satisfying…unsatisfying?)

What has been one of your best online learning experiences to date? What features of that experience stand out for you?

The Situation: Chat Question #2

• Give my students more practice time

• Give my students additional tools for learning English

• Allow for better communication with my students

• Make my role more manageable

• Give me more free time

• Be more in tune with current trends

• I just love technology!

Other: _____________________

As a teacher, what is your primary reason for wanting to use technology in language learning?

The Situation: • Students need more practice time. Asynchronous online instruction is the most feasible option.

• Online networking is part of modern life. Connecting language learning with students’ “online life” is natural.

• Independent learners tend to be the most successful. Providing the most meaningful online tools to them will make them more independent.

• Online communication is an alternate – not replacement – form of communication. It provides an additional “field” for language acquisition. • A significant aspect of “21st Century Communicative Competence” is participating in & managing online communication. Coding, running applications, playing, uploading, sharing, hacking, posting, editing are all 21C Communication skills.

The Great Technology Divide “The Haves”COMPLICATION

The Great Technology Divide “The Have Nots”COMPLICATION

Word Cloud responses: Describe your ‘user experience’ with ‘virtual training’ …

The Great ‘User Experience’ DivideCOMPLICATION

‘User experiences’ & ‘outcomes’ will always be mixed.

COMPLICATION

• There are too many technical variables to predict universal success.

• Users without goal orientation are easily demotivated by “negative impact” experiences.

• Retention rates very low without ongoing encouragement

• Attention spans getting shorter.

• Without active “gamification”, user lacks “stake” in the outcome.

• Without appeal to sensory and emotional “learning styles”, users become disengaged.

LCD refers to…?

The “working solution” is…an LCD approach

SOLUTION

Liquid Crystal Display Liquid Crystal Display

Least Common Denominator Least Common Denominator

Lutte contre la Désertification Lutte contre la Désertification

Low Carbohydrate Diet Low Carbohydrate Diet Lord Chancellor’s Department Lord Chancellor’s Department

Local Climatological DataLocal Climatological Data

Learner-Centered DesignLearner-Centered Design

Leveraged Commentary & DataLeveraged Commentary & Data

Liters per Capita per DayLiters per Capita per Day

Long Constrained DelayLong Constrained Delay

Living Causes DeathLiving Causes Death

Last Certified DayLast Certified Day

Launch Countdown Launch Countdown

Loose Cannon on DeckLoose Cannon on Deck

Multi-syllabus, overlapping objectives SOLUTION

Ease of navigation (3-click rule)SOLUTION

Emotional investment: Story-based SOLUTION

Active learning styles: focus on listening & speaking SOLUTION

Microlearning Tasks: 90 second rule SOLUTION

Add interaction with TeacherSOLUTION

Gamifying: Track student workSOLUTION

Add help optionsSOLUTION

Provide continuous feedback & assessmentSOLUTION

Provide blended optionsSOLUTION

• Is online instruction better than no instruction at all?

• How likely is a student to complete an online course given no face-to-face contact with teacher or other students?

• Is blended learning (classroom + [OOC group projects+] individual online work) superior to classroom alone?

LESSON:

Resolving the contradictions about online learning OUTCOME

Request a demo code for PEI and try it out at home! SUGGESTION

Erm…excuse me…Can I have a demo code for Pearson English Interactive?

Absolutely!

• Current situation with blended learning

• The evolution of the 21st Century Teacher

• Resolving the contradictions of haves/have nots

• Redefining learning objectives

Presentation & Handout (with Refs) available at:http://latcomm.com/2015/03/pei-presentation-tesol-2015 /

Comments/Questions: michael.rost@latcomm.com

Conclusion

Thank you for your participation!

• [image] Supplement with human dynamics (teacher notes, community, discussion centers, group projects, mentors, tutoring, office hours, recreation)

• [image] Use a story base (ongoing characters, themes) or a theme-base for continuity and interest

• [image] Encourage micro-learning in short chunks

• [image] Teach (re-teach and teach again) strategies for effective online learning

• [image] “Gamify” – track results and reward

Principles of Effective Online Instruction LESSON

• wider accessibility

• fewer distractions

• clearer feedback

• greater variety

• greater predictability

• more control of pace

• less “loss of face” with errors

• more practice time for oral skills (listening, speaking, conversation [role play], pronunciation)

• “full time conversation partner” = Ss need more conversation practice

• Ss reluctant to speak in class (take the slow steps needed for confident conversation)

• more “focus on form” than classroom teaching

Advantages of online learning over classroom learningLESSON