Models for Technology-Mediated
Language Instruction:
Toward Virtual Total
Immersion and Study Abroad
Marie A. Cini, Vice Provost and Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies
Gretchen I. Jones, Academic Director, Foreign Languages
Mark Parker, Assistant Provost, Academic Affairs
MSCHE Annual Conference
December 8, 2008
AGENDA
1. Introduction & Overview
2. The Past
– Brief review of language education
3. The Present
– Online, technology-mediated language education
4. The Future
– Language education in 2018
5. Q & A
UMUC Student Base
View from a Dean
Factors to Consider with Today’s
Language Learners
•Increasingly Older Population
•Reasons to Study are Diffuse
•Unable to Engage in Lengthy Study Abroad
From Vivitar to Avatar
Short Term Study Abroad
Technology-Enabled Language Study
THE PAST
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The face-to-face classroom
Grammar-Translation Method
Direct Method - “Total Immersion”
Audio-Lingual Method
Study Abroad
THE PAST
Technology
 Pen, pencil
 Audio tapes, language “labs”
 Video
 CD-Roms
THE PRESENT
Current pedagogical principles in
language teaching and learning:

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Substantial and varied input of target language
Interaction between learners
Attention to integrating all four skills
reading, writing, speaking, listening
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Meaningful exploration of culture
Some explicit explanation of linguistic
points/grammar
The PRESENT
• Technology:
 The rise of the Internet and its related
technologies
 Computer mediated communication (CMC)
 Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL)
 Glossing & Authoring software
 Web based dictionaries, data bases
 Web pages (authentic content –newspapers, train
schedules)
THE PRESENT
Teaching Language Online in
2008
• State of online language education
 UMUC 3rd Semester Japanese Course
 Strengths
 Limitations
Technologies Combined
• Online Modules (Content)
 Developed in house by UMUC Course Development
• Course management system
 Communication, student interaction
• Collaborative learning / communication
software – Horizon Wimba
Course Modules
• JAPN114 –
3rd Semester Japanese
Developed by UMUC

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Faculty author
Administrators
Instructional Designers
Computer Programmers
Graphic Designers
UMUC Course Management System
Course Management System
Integrating Culture
• Video from YouTube
 Culture
 Student Interaction
 Learner autonomy
Communication Software
• Wimba Voice Tools
 Voice Presentation: asynchronous
 Voice Board: asynchronous
 Voice Direct: synchronous
What We Can Do Now
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•
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Autonomous learning in 24-7 environment
Accessible with internet connection
Vast input resources
Student Interaction
 Text
 Voice
 Synchronous / Asynchronous
On the immediate horizon
 Widespread availability of person-to-person
video conferencing
 Greater integration of various tools
Where are We Headed?
 Need for more “study abroad” like experiences
 Dire need for more language courses:
 advanced language training
 less commonly taught languages (Arabic,
Hindi/Urdu, Pashto, etc.)
 Teacher shortages
 Students dispersed
The Future
Build on what we’re currently doing, but. . .
Two technological advances to be made:
1. Web 2.0 (e.g. ↑ interactivity; social
networking sites);
2. Virtual Reality (e.g. Second Life)
The Future: Virtual Reality
•
Today, e.g. “Second Life”
Hiroshima Peace Park in SL
Actual Photo of Hiroshima Peace Park
Visit Japan in the 19th century
The Future: Web 2.0
•
Improvement of communication
modalities
 e.g. Mobile synchronous audio-video
 ↓ bandwidth issues, ↑ quality &
reliability
•
Integration of communication
modalities
The Future
And one technological revolution in
the area of AI/HCI
• More direct human/technology
interface (Wii is transitional
example)
QUESTIONS?