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Trondheim, September 2010
Distance Learning &
Good Practice in Europe
Cor van der Meer
Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning
Fryske Akademy
Trondheim, September 2010
Overview
• Mercator Research Centre
• Distant learning
• Good practices• EduFrysk
• Conclusion
• Information and references
Trondheim, September 2010
Frisian language command
• 54 % Mothertongue
• 94 % Understanding
• 74 % Speaking
• 65 % Reading
• 26 % Writing
Trondheim, September 2010
Mercator Research Centreactivities
• Research
• Publications & Databases
• Network of Schools
• Network of Teacher Training Institutes (forthcoming)
• Conferences & seminars
Trondheim, September 2010
Fields of research
• Added value of multilingualism and multilingual education.
• Application of the CEFR and the ELP in Europe.
• Informal learning and promotion of reading in families & households.
• New technologies; distant language (and culture) learning.
Trondheim, September 2010
Distance learning; search for common typology
• Aims
• Objectives
• Approaches
• Techniques
Trondheim, September 2010
Distance learning: Aims
• Classroom / individual
• Tutor / teacher supported
• Curriculum based / incidental
• Subject of teaching
Trondheim, September 2010
Distance learning: Objectives
• Targets & assessment
• Quality
• Level of education
• Number of pupils
• Teacher skills
Trondheim, September 2010
Distance learning: Approaches
• Concepts
• Role of teacher
• (Virtual) Communities
• Interactive / books
• Documentation
• Games
Trondheim, September 2010
Distance learning: Techniques
• Equipment;
• VC
• E-board
• Web
• IPod's or mobile’s
• Class lay-out
• Films / Pdf’s
• Resources / costs
Trondheim, September 2010
Good practice in design
• Developing higher order skills
• Developing capacity for self assessment
• Fostering motivation
• Scaffolding ‘next steps’
• Supporting different learning styles
• Creating an authentic learning environment
• Creating links in learning activities
Trondheim, September 2010
Good practices 1
• Spanish language distance course (pilot)
• Pupils in Netherlands, teacher in Salamanca (ISLA, language institute in Spain)
• Instruction language English
• 2 classes of 15 pupils
• VC equipment (without use of E-board)
• Homework fia email
Trondheim, September 2010
Results & experiences
• Pilot works out well (‘just do it’ feeling)
• Looking for ways to include E-board
• No use of webcams but classical camera
• Teacher very positive
• Optimal class size: around 10 pupils
• Pupils very concentrated (course is not obligatory)
Trondheim, September 2010
Good practices 2
• Specialised Mathematics course
• In Breukelen and Sneek, the Netherlands
• Both schools use Electronic Learning Environment (ELO)
• One teacher involved
• Use of (connected) E-boards
Trondheim, September 2010
Results & experiences
• In the beginning more preparation time for the teacher
• Concern for pupils’ differences in level of knowledge
• Pupils get easy and enough attention
• Pupils like to see the teacher and E-board
Trondheim, September 2010
Good practices 3
• Frisian language lessons, simultaneously at three schools
• in Sneek, Koudum and Balk, Fryslân
• one teacher
• use of VC + E-board
• small numbers of pupils
Trondheim, September 2010
Results & experiences
• Takes a bit more preparation time for the teacher, structure is important
• Class lay-out is important (U/V)
• Possibilities to zoom in on teacher and pupils
• Tests show equal results compared with traditional teaching methods
Trondheim, September 2010
Good practices 4
• Welsh Video Network
• National network for video conferencing
• For students and teachers
• Online Welsh – English education
• In bilingual and Welsh medium schools
• Second and third level education
Trondheim, September 2010
Good practices 5
• Weblectures
• Effective as additional method
• Easy sharing
• Need for pedagogical & didactical support
Trondheim, September 2010
Good practices 6
• Edufrysk, E-learning tool developed in Friesland
• Provincial government policy
• For learning Frisian language (& culture)
• Age group 16+
• For all levels
• Dutch as medium of instruction
Trondheim, September 2010
Structure
• Language & culture learning through:
• Text (according interest)
• Music / songs
• Poetry
• Games
Trondheim, September 2010
Defined user groups
• General interested public (30-40 years)
• New students
• Students, already following course in Frisian
• Teachers
• Young people
• Root seekers
• Expert groups
• Language fanatics
Trondheim, September 2010
Features
• Personal profiles
• Virtual communities
• Expert groups
• Podcasts
• Possibilities for software conversion to other (minority) languages
Trondheim, September 2010
Experiences sofar
• Successful
• Quick learning
• Learning strategy is intuitive and analytical
• Low demand for exams or certificates
Trondheim, September 2010
Research and templates project
• CETL – UCL, Development of templates for tutor-supported distance-learning language courses
• Comparison between Japan, Poland, Netherlands and England
• Study of learning concepts
• Do’s and don’ts
• Report due in the end of 2010
Trondheim, September 2010
Conclusion
• A great variety in types of distance learning
• E-learning, an endless development!
• A need for didactical / pedagogical support
• Focus on assessment and methodology
• A growing interest but still a limited number of projects among minority languages
• The internet creates opportunities for learning and preservation of languages
Trondheim, September 2010
Important links
• European Union (Comenius Grundtvig)
• http://ec.europa.eu/education/trainingdatabase/
• More links available on copy
Trondheim, September 2010
Bibliography
• EduFrysk, Frysk en Frij (de Vries, 2009)
• Social Networking and learning(Weller 2007, Mason & Rennie, 2008)
• E-learning, Concepts and Practice (Holmes and Gardner, 2008)
• Relation Educators and Learners(Mason & Rennie, 2008)
• Teacher on distance(Surfnet/Kennisnet Innovatieprogramme, 2010, NL)
Trondheim, September 2010
Tusen takk / Thank you / Tankewol
Cor van der [email protected]
Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning
Fryske Akademy
www.mercator-research.eu