Innovation in TOOL

Stefan ColibabaTOOL coordinator

Creativity and Innovation to Promote Multilingualism and Intercultural Dialogue

Iasi, June 25 – 26, 2009

Innovation

The 5 courses - Estonian, Dutch, Hungarian, Maltese, Slovene – follow the didactics of:

• the strategic European instruments for language learning and language acquisition – CEFR & ELP

• blended learning and

• use the applications of Web 2.0 and communication technology in the teaching/learning of a new language

Target group: adult (professionals) living/travelling to the host countries for jobs/entertainment and who have already acquired a basic level of language (A1).

TOOL and the CEFR/ELP

Processes where TOOL made use of the principlesput forth by the CEFR/ELP: planning and elaboratingthe 5 language courses, planning and elaborating theTutor support:

Syllabus design

Planning teaching for individual learning paths with description of competences and identification of the means to attain them

(Self)evaluation of competences: Learning goals/learning outcomes, exit tests, quality grid

Tutor/student guides, quality grid

TOOL and Blended Learning

Tutor teaching management vs student learning management (content/skills control, monitoring, uploading, moderation)

Low hierarchy between tutor and student, shared roles

Encourages adult learning (flexible, autonomous, based on needs and preferences re: topics, skills, situations, development of cultural competences)

Aims at creating affective group bonding as a learning motivator by using interactivity (forums, collaborative tasks, wikis etc.)

Online component allows for flexibility of student choices

Face-to-face component focuses on training oral interaction, skills necessary for platform work, monitoring language acquisition

TOOL time allocation

120 course hours: 80-90 online hours 30-40 face to face

Online component 12 units x 5 online hours each = 60 hours 3 consolidation units x 6 online hours each = 18 hours Orientation 2-4 online hours Final test: 2-4 hours

Total: 82-86 hours

Transparent quality standards

Set by CEFR/ELP through competence descriptors; quality grid

Processes for quality assurance: self-evaluation, online tutor, task-based problem-solving approaches to language acquisition

Web 2.0

Integration of communication technologydevelopments allows for innovation in FL didactics

Social sites for interaction Platform blogs Wikis IPods Podcasts

language learning instruments & learning motivators

Audio & video files Virtual tour Student communication via messages Blog and skype Forum Structured content in .pdf

Instruments for tutor and learner assistance

Platform orientation Tutor guide Student guide

Valorisation of TOOL courses

Generic Country specific Project specific

Generic factors influencing valorisation

Number of people who speak the language worldwide and their mobility; reasons for their mobility

Attitude of diaspora to language and cultural values promoted by mother country

‘Attractiveness’ (jobs, tourism, positioning) of the country where the language is spoken

International regulations re: the role of language competence in workforce mobility policies

Country specific factors

Regulations re:

Work permits Job promotion Granting citizenship Diaspora Country attractiveness for jobs or entertainment Country rules certifying language competences

acquired systematically through graded exams

Project specific factors

A wider impact of TOOL courses depends on:

Joint marketing with other LWULT platforms (ALL) Sales procedures in place Accessible and consistent info on the courses in the

marketing process Technical maintenance of platform Prompt online tutoring Helpdesk

Use of wiki as a tool for collaborative writing (web 2.0)

Using microblogging

for collaborative writing:

(TWITTER)

Contact us!

www.toolproject.eustefan.colibaba@euroed.ro