A Report on Constructing E-Learning Courses for College EFL Students in Taiwan

A Report on Constructing E-Learning Courses for College EFL Students in Taiwan

Kuei-fen Tai 戴桂芬Department of Foreign Languages and Literature 外文系Chung Hua University 中華大學Hsinchu, Taiwan 台灣新竹

May, 2007 ELT 2007 Kuei-fen Tai 2

Background

The Internet and World Wide Web have also become inevitable parts of people’s lives, especially true for college students.


Background-cont.

Jones and his fellow researchers discovered in 2002 that “college students are early adopters and heavy users of the Internet”.

Personal experiences with students also show they welcome an innovative teaching method.


In answer to the trends and to better motivate students’ English learning, as ESL/EFL teachers, we should not shut ourselves in the ivory tower of traditional teaching methods.


Construction of E-Learning Courses 1. Learning English through Online

Chatting• In years 2005 and 2006, the author

has utilized online chatting to support English teaching.


Findings from Online Chatting Sessions Error TypesBrown indicated in 1994 that sourc

es of errors of interlanguage were: (1) interlingual transfer (2) intralingual transfer (3) context of learning and (4) communication strategies (Brown 1994: pp. 213-217).


Examples of Error Types

1. Interlingual Transfer 平淡是幸福說： Judy worries her skin is gett

ing black...

miffy 說 : Let’s go to 濱崎步’ s concert ba!

2. Intralingual transfer Lo Lo: How can I invite another classmates?


Examples of Error Types—cont.

3. Context of learning 上帝關門會開窗說： dear sir...i like the ring you made s

o much 4. Communication strategies 平淡是幸福說 : go to 快速道路 first. then go to nu

mber 3 高速公路平淡是幸福說 : then get out in 關西交流道平淡是幸福說 : then you see sign of 六福村 . follow

sign is ok.

平淡是幸福說 : teacher, how to say those words?


Findings from Online Chatting Sessions

Features 1. Instant Language Repair Lo Lo 說 : I distroied yesterday’s speech. Lo Lo 說 : destroyed

2. Uses of Emoticons and Animated Graphics SOPHIA in blue 【淘汰倒楣的機車】缺錢中說 : Teacher looks

very busy bteen our conversation..^^''‘ 美鳳傳送「熱情香吻」動畫快遞

3. Closer Teacher-Student Relationship


Construction of E-Learning Courses—cont. 2. Using E-Campus Platform

Principle E-Learning on E-Campus

Encourages contact between students and faculty

Yes

Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students

Yes

Encourages active learning Yes

Gives prompt feedback Yes

Emphasizes time on task To some extents

Communicates high expectations To some extents

Respects diverse talents and ways

of learning

Maybe


Front Page of E-campus


Main Menu Page of E-Campus



Teachers can upload pre-prepared materials to the handout list. The system accepts both file uploading and URL connecting. The following Picture is an illustration of the handout list.


Sample Handout Page on E-campus


Students can also participate in discussion by initiating or responding to topics in the discussion board.


Discussion Function on E-campus


Exercises are sometimes assigned and students have to upload their files to the E-campus for the teacher to grade.


Homework Page of E-Campus


After completing, students hand in their assignments via uploading them onto E-Campus. Teachers can either read all homework files online or save them back to the hard disks of their personal computers. The Picture below is the homework list on E-Campus:


Homework List on E-Campus


Construction of E-Learning Courses—cont.

The author has used several authoring software to produce teaching materials, and has found a commercial software Editor( 編輯手 ) 2004 is a useful one.


Sample page generated by Editor (編輯手 ) 2004


BENEFITS and LIMITATIONS

BENEFITSUse of multimedia elements.

Flexibility and convenience.

Expression of opinions.


BENEFITS and LIMITATIONS—cont.

LIMITATIONS

Drawback of Messengers in General

Technical Support

Time-Consuming

Students’ Various English and Computer/Internet Proficiency


Students’ Feedback

Most students reveal positive reactions towards the e-learning. Hence, using computer technology to promote students’ learning interests and hence improve their English language abilities seems to be a right track to go on.


With the far and wide power of instant messaging tools, it can be hoped that college students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait can communicate on line, and English teachers can benefit through various kinds of E-Communications, which should contribute a great deal to linguistic and pedagogical researches.


Thank you for your listening.

Documents

A Report on Constructing E-Learning Courses for College EFL Students in Taiwan