CLASS
FORUM / DISCUSSION BOARD
via BLOG or Facebook Objectives: 1. To provide learners with the opportunity to engage in authentic "conversations" with instructor and other learners via class forum/discussion board. 2. To encourage learners to express themselves in writing and to give comments and feedback on what they read or view (video clips posted by instructor.) To
set up:
BLOG: 1. Choose a BLOG host: If you are not sure which one to choose, go to: Blog software comparison chart Wordpress versus Blogger VTN 101 - Fall 2009 2. Sign up for an account for your class using your email address and choose an user name which is easy for you and the learners to remember. For example: vtn101falll10, 201fall2010 Wordress: http://wordpress.com/ Blogger: https://www.blogger.com/start Decide if you want this blog to be: -closed - only users approved by owner can read -semi-closed - only users approved by the owner can read and/or post -semi-open - anyone can read, but only approved users can post -open - anyone can read or post It is recommended that you choose either semi-closed or semi-open setting in which only the learners of that particular class can post. 3. If necessary, go over some online tutorials: Video tutorial for Wordpress Wordress tutorials organized by topics Video tutorial for Blogger Complete list of Blogger tutorials Set up the theme/appearance of the blog and start with the first page. FACEBOOK: 1. Facebook Group should be used for class forum/project instead of Facebook Page because it gets far more control over who can participate. 2. For quick tutorials to create Facebook Group and helpful teacher's guides go to: Teacher's Guide to Using Facebook How to Create a Facebook Group Video clip: How to Create a Class Group on Facebook It is strongly recommended that you create a separate Facebook profile for professional use only. So, you should create an alternate email account first and use that email address to sign up for a "professional" Facebook account, then create different Facebook Groups for your classes from that account. You can use the subject of your course as the first name and last name. For example: Elementary Korean or Intermediate Vietnamese The learners may not want to share their personal life on Facebook with the class either and may also opt to create a separate/second account in Facbook that is solely used for your class. Therefore, you may want to check with them first on which email address they would like to receive the invitation to join Facebook Group. 3. It is recommended that you set the Facebook Group for your class as closed (where users/learners must get administrator or your approval to join) or secret (invite only) to protect the learners' privacy. Just as the main features of other course managements such as Blackboar and Web CT, inside the Facebook Group, you can post Discussion Board Topic, pictures, videos, links, and other "wall" items. 4. Decide how often you will post questions or topics on this class forum for the learners to read and leave their comments to include in the brief introduction of this project. 5. Send the URL of your class blog or invitation to join Facebook Group to all learners along with brief introduction of this reading/viewing and writing project. 6. Your weekly or bi-monthly posts can be about what happens that week and/or about the topic/theme covered that week so the learners can apply what they learn in their writing. TIPS: 1. For the instruction given to learners, be clear on: a. how much you want them to write (number of words) their comment b. requirement to read others classmates' comments and if you want them to leave comments/questions after reading 2. Spend time to monitor learners' comments on each posting to encourage learners to write more and/or more often. If you don't read and leave comments, learners might not as be motivated to write more and often. 3. Since most learners are visual learners, upload a couple pictures or video clips downloaded/linked from You Tube that are related to the topics along with your post. 4. For this type of assignment, the focus should not be on accuracy (correction) but on fluency (communication) and on ways to increase learners' exposure to authentic language and use of of target language. Therefore, you may want to treat this assignment as a journal that is not gradded, except as a completion grade or content grade. If you are concerned about accuracy, modeling correct usage in your respond/comment for cover correction is effective. You can also send corrections via email message to individual learners or write feedback on a piece of paper for a particular learner or choose to go over some common mistakes in class. Example # 1 The topic/theme chosen may be the same for all three levels, but the complexity of the questions/postings and the tasks which the learners are required to complete are varied depending on the proficiency levels of the learners. for beginning level - Hobbies/Pastimes In my opinion, one of the best movies the last three weeks is Inception. I watched it last weekend but want to watch it one more time to better understand the movie. How often do you go see a movie? Which movie do you think is the best movie of this week? Why? for intermediate level - Hobbies and entertainment At this level, learners should be able to write about the types of movies they'd to watch and explain the reasons they like certain films and/or actors. They can also write about the film plot. for advanced level - Hobbies and entertainment Advanced learners can write a one or two-page review (including the film plot, actors & actresses) of a movie they like most or dislike most. Example #2: About physical appearance: VTN 101 - Fall 2009 Intermediate level: University of Michigan - VN class |