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Integrating Web-based Blackboard™ into ESL Discussion
and Writing Activities
Presenter: Professor Lyra Riabov Southern New Hampshire University
Presentation at the Internet Fair2006 CALL Interest Section Special Events
The 40th Annual Convention TESOL 2006: Daring to LeadMarch 15-March 18, 2006
Tampa, Florida, USA
E-mail: [email protected]; Web: http://acadweb.snhu.edu/riabov_lyra/
Presentation Discussion
What is Web-based Blackboard™? What features of the Blackboard™ do I use in
my ESL class and why? Review selected assignments and activities What are the gains for students and the
instructor? Recommendations
What is Web-based Blackboard™ ?
• SNHU Blackboard• Education Environment• Online course delivery system• Educate • Innovate• Everywhere
Announcements: Instructor posts daily or weekly announcements here.
Faculty: Information about the instructor
Syllabus: Outline of the course: Syllabus and Weekly Assignments
Discussion Board: It consists of Topic Discussion Forums for students, reflections, reactions and comments to the reading material, peers’ comments and instructor’s suggestions. Students can use a limited Text Box or attach any file in MS Word, PowerPoint, and pictures to support their arguments.
External Links: Connection to the instructor’s web site and other Internet resources
Course Documents is a place to post course materials for students
Assignments: Day by day homework and class assignments
Communication: Additional way to check out Announcements, get to the Discussion Board, Roster of the class and Send E-mail section. The last section is very important as this is the students’ way to ask questions and express concerns, request help with the course content or sent an e-mail to their classmates when they are outside the class.
Tools: Students’ Digital Drop Box is a convenient way for confidential communication with the instructor or classmates. This is the place to submit papers or presentations for grading and the instructor’s comments.
SNHU Library: Access to the SNHU Library online
What features of the Blackboard™ do I use in my ESL class and why?
Assignments and Activities
• Syllabus• Homework• Connection to the Internet and
Library resources• Discussion Forums• Written and oral discussions• Process writing• Drafts and peer comments• Grading and MS Word
comments feature
What do students gain?
• Motivation and fun• Constant peer communication• Competition and motivation to
do better the assignments• Exchange of arguments• Learn to discuss• More time to review their
written input• Visualize their writing problems
and better address them• Peer Evaluation• Motivation for rewriting drafts
• Easy access from everywhere• Fast e-feedback• Paperless class• No printing• Online dictionary and
resources are at your finger tip• Constant communication with
the instructor• Convenient e-folders of the
drafts and discussion postings• Preparation for the college
technology supported learning
Participation in the Discussion Forums
Q1: increased the volume of my writing;Q2: helped me to learn how to express my point of view and support it with examples;Q3: helped me to learn how to express my point of view and support it with examples;Q4: helped me to learn to edit my writing.
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Communication Advantages
Q5: I learned from my classmates writing;
Q6: Using BB and E-mail Improved communication between the peers and the instructor;
Q9: I liked to read my classmates postings and compete with them for higher quality of my postings;
Q13: Instructor’s e-comments helped me to edit my drafts and postings
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Assignments and Grading
Q7: Assignments section was very useful;Q8: Using BB I was motivated to do assignments on time;Q11: It was convenient not to print papers;Q12: Grading was confidential and easy to access to.
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Blackboard Usage Advantages
Q10: Blackboard provided me with an easy access to my files, e-mail, class materials and external links from everywhere on campus and at home;
Q14: It was not difficult to use the Blackboard;
Q15: Learning and using the Blackboard prepared me well for my future studies in college.
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What do instructors gain?
• Increased volume of students’ writing
• Focus on academic language
• Active student participation regardless of the student learning styles
• Motivation and competitiveness
• Peers’ active involvement in the learning process
• Everybody participate in the discussions
• Increased sense of the students’ responsibility for the completion of the assignments on time
• E-portfolio
• Fast and easy feedback
• Convenient organization of assignments, grades and materials
• Availability of the instructor outside the classroom
Recommendations
• In a traditional ESL class use only selected features of the Blackboard
• Don’t overuse it
• Make Blackboard features user friendly: simple and clear
• Avoid chats and chat language in the Discussion Forums
• Developing daily activities: create a habit of writing every day
• Be prepared to spend more time working on assignments, e-feedback and communication with your students