eLearning as a Tool for Distance
Language Teaching:
Case Study
Mgr. Linda Pospíšilová & Mgr. Petr Krčmář
Language Centre
University of Pardubice
DisCo 2010
outline
Challenges of distance studies
eLearning course designed in Moodle
Hot Potatoes
Glossary
Big Brother factor
”Dosing” of the content
Results & Experience
+ Feedback from students
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University of Pardubice
Faculty of Health Studies
Bachelor's degree courses
Master's degree courses
Doctoral degree courses
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University of Pardubice
Faculty of Health Studies
Bachelor's degree courses
study programmes:
NURSING
• General Nurse
SPECIALIZATION IN HEALTH CARE
• Professional Rescuer
MIDWIFERY
• Midwife
Master's degree courses
Doctoral degree courses
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Since 2009/10
Distance Studies
Bachelor's degree courses
NURSING
• General Nurse
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Distance learning
and teaching of languages
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•
limited amount of time
dedicated to tutorials
•
absence of regular seminars
•
inability to attend consultations
•
other students' commitments
eLearning as a tool of solution
•
individualized approach
to students' needs
•
theoretically unlimited
amount of time to study
•
possibility of regular study
•
instant feedback
•
motivation by interactivity
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e-Learning course
focused on ESP development
for the Faculty of Health Studies
Target group:
Both full-time
and distance students
of the first year
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Course creation
eLearning designed
as an accompaniment
of the existing textbook
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Course structure
Modules
~ Chapters
Balance
of Lexis
and Grammar
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Module structure
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Module structure
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Module structure
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Module structure
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Module structure
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Module structure
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Module structure
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LMS:
Authoring Tool:
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http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
JCross
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JCross
JCross (crosswords creation)
• intensive vocabulary practice
• enforcement of the correct spelling
• difficulty of lexis
(+) Great memory enhancer, leisure time aspect of
this activity, schola ludus, brain teaser
(-) Demanding vocabulary, too hard for a beginner,
“Even our doctors were having a hard time.”
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JCloze (filling in gaps)
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JCloze (filling in gaps)
•
•
impossibility to cover all the acceptable answers
grammar focused exercises
(+) Stimulating, grammar revision and fixation,
the option of showing hints.
(-) No space for individual creativity,
too ambiguous.
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JMatch (matching)
Lingua Summit Trenčín 2009
JMatch (matching)
Lingua Summit Trenčín 2009
JMatch (matching)
Lingua Summit Trenčín 2009
JMatch (matching)
Lingua Summit Trenčín 2009
JMatch (matching)
•
•
•
the most popular with students
involvement of motoric activity
(dragging the options across the screen)
relative simplicity (no need to type anything)
(+) Fast, fun, logical, you did not have to
understand everything.
(-) Boring.
Lingua Summit Trenčín 2009
JQuiz
obhajoba grantu 16.02.2010
JQuiz
•
•
choice from multiple answers
popular
(+) Ideal for a summary of the unit,
intriguing, concise.
(-) Too short, sometimes quite difficult.
obhajoba grantu 16.02.2010
Glossary
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Glossary
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Glossary
pronunciation + definition
vocabulary building and practice
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Random glossary entry

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Random glossary entry

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Random glossary entry

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Random glossary entry

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Random glossary entry

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Glossary
creativity X accuracy
failure to delegate responsibility
(+) Fast tool to look up terms, students’ participation,
stimulates vocabulary learning.
(-) Useless terms, untrustworthy,
problems with phonetic script.
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Availability
of all imaginable data
about the students
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”Dosing” of the content
gradual opening
of units over the period of the semester
to enforce students to study consistently
Unsatisfactory results:
Many students were preoccupied
by their other commitments
and studied before the exams only.
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CONCLUSION
Pros
eLearning provided & practised grammar and lexical content.
Instantaneous feedback highly motivated the students.
Students were actively involved in creation of the Glossary.
Cons
eLearning didn’t motivate distance students
towards more gradual and consistent learning process.
Failure to delegate responsibilities over the management
of Glossary created excessive burden for the tutors.
DisCo 2010
Thank you for your attention
Mgr. Linda Pospíšilová & Mgr. Petr Krčmář
Language Centre, University of Pardubice
DisCo 2010