Note: This page contains information about a past event. Information below is posted for archival purposes.

Introduction

This Fall the CLS is offering a professional development class that will explore the role of technology in language education. (Participation in this class is limited to ten, and it is already filled.) This class will be offered every semester from now on. If you are interested, do let us know, so that we can inform you as soon as we open the Spring '00 class.) This is not a series of "how-to" workshops; although there will be some hands-on practice with the software, this class is primarily about the pedagogical issues and Second Language Acquisition theories involved in the integration of technology into our practice. The class meets face-to-face once a month; in between meetings there is active discussion of topics and readings on a listserv reserved especially for the class. At least one outside speaker will be brought in to meet with the class (and in addition to give a public presentation) on the integration of technology into language teaching and learning.

Announcement

To: Yale Language Instructors
From: Bradley Gano
Subject: CLS offers Professional Development Class for Foreign Language Instructors

By now, many of you may have heard that the Center for Language Study is working to provide Yale's language teaching community with ongoing opportunities for professional development. (If you haven't spoken with us about this yet, don't feel left out! We're looking forward to talking to you soon!) As part of these efforts, we're pleased to tell you that this Fall we will be offering a professional development class that will explore the role of technology in language education.

The class, which will begin during the second week of classes in September and will continue through early December, will be comprised of two parts. First, participants will be asked to read approximately two articles per month and to discuss them with others in the class via an on-line discussion facilitated by CLS staff. (The CLS will provide the reading material as well as some technical assistance in using the on-line discussion software.) Second, the class will meet in person once a month for discussions and hands-on demonstrations.

Planned topics include:

-- A review of the extant literature and research on such topics as teaching with multimedia and CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)

-- Demonstrations of language learning technologies, as well as practice evaluating and implementing these technologies into your teaching

-- Technology use in class as well as in individual student assignments.

-- Discussion of specific technologies such as video, conferencing software, and the World Wide Web

-- An introduction to the technology facilities and support mechanisms available at Yale for language instructors

While there will be opportunity for demonstrations and hands-on practice with the software, this class is primarily about the theories and issues related to the field (it is not a "how-to" workshop). No formal technological experience is required to participate in the workshop, though it is assumed that participants will use e-mail.

Anyone who teaches foreign language at Yale is welcome to apply for admission to the class. Since this is the first time we will be offering such a class, we will be limiting the number of participants (approximately 8) so we can provide individual attention and support. (Grad students are welcome to apply, though depending on the number of applications received we may give preference to instructors with full-time appointments.) Participants who complete the class successfully (regular participation in the on-line discussions and attendance at at least three of the four monthly meetings) will receive a financial award. We are still working out the details of this award (the amount and how it will be disbursed); more information on the award will be posted on our web site as soon as we know all the details. (Or, give the CLS a call if you'd like to know more.)

To apply, please send me an e-mail message (one or two paragraphs in length) describing your interest and willingness to make the time commitment (as mentioned above). Preference will be given to applications received by Monday, August 9.

Note: There will also be more opportunities this Fall for workshops, lectures, etc. on both technology and non-technology oriented topics. Information will be posted on the CLS web site as it is announced (http://www.yale.edu/cls). Also, we plan to offer this particular class again during Spring 2000, so if this notice is too short for you to plan to participate in the Fall, keep an eye later in the semester for information on the Spring workshops!

I'm looking forward to speaking with all of you this year--either in conjunction with this class or at some other opportunity. Best,

Bradley Gano
Language Technology Specialist
Center for Language Study
Yale University

Schedule

Wed. September 8, 1999
First Class Meeting
2:00pm (Rosenfeld Hall Room B1)

Wed. September 15, 1999 (approx.)
Readings in Bush book due for first on-line discussion:
Introduction (optional reading)
Chapter 1: Taking Control of Multimedia
Chapter 2: Multiple, Mixed, Malleable Media

Wed. October 27, 1999
Second Class Meeting
Visit from Mikle Ledgerwood
2:00pm (Rosenfeld Hall Room B1)
Reading due for this meeting: Supplemental Article TBA
(Mike's public talk will be in WLH 208 at 4pm, reception to follow.)

Mon. November 1, 1999 (approx.)
Readings in Bush book due for second on-line discussion:
Chapter 3: Teaching Listening: How Technology Can Help (optional)
Chapter 4: Hypermedia Technology for Teaching Reading
Chapter 5: Computer-Mediated Communication: Technology for Improving Speaking & Writing

Mid-November (date TBA)
Third Class Meeting
Demonstrations of software discussed in Chapters 4 & 5 (glossed readings, discussion tools, etc.)

Mon. November 29, 1999 (approx.)
Readings in Bush book due for third on-line discussion:
Chapter 6: Uniting Teachers, Learners, and Machines: Language Laboratories and Other Choices (optional)
Chapter 7: Learning Language and Culture with Internet Technologies

Early December (date TBA)
Fourth Class Meeting
Demonstrations of Internet software
Wrap-up discussion (Integrating technology into a curriculum)