EPSY490AT

Course Description | Activities | Instructor | Format | Textbook



Course Description

Recent technological developments have created exciting new possibilities for second (foreign) language learning, providing new environments for second language input, output, interaction, practice and assessment. This course will explore the use of technology for second language learning with an emphasis on autonomous learners at intermediate to advanced levels of second language proficiency. A wide range of technologies will be explored, including personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), the Internet, and various forms of terrestrial, satellite and cable radio and television. We will explore ways in which these widely available technological tools can be used to enhance language learning in the areas of (a) input (listening and reading), (b) output (speaking and writing), (c) interaction, (d) exercise, and (e) assessment.

This course is designed to appeal to English/ESL teachers or foreign language teachers who are interested in second language learning from one or more of the following four perspectives: (a) second language teaching and/or teacher training, (b) second language acquisition research, (c) the development, implementation and/or evaluation of technical tools (software and hardware) for second language learning, and/or (d) personal improvement in second language proficiency in any language at the intermediate to advanced level. While the course will highlight technologies and techniques that can be used for autonomous language learners, these same technologies and techniques can also be used in conjunction with formal foreign-language courses at the elementary, secondary or college/university level.
Activities

• Students will participate in one group and one individual project concerning ATALL.
• Students will be involved in contributing to the ATALL Wikibook (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ATALL) and Technology for Language Learning podcast (http://tllpodcast.blogspot.com).

Instructor

Gary Cziko Email: g-cziko@uiuc.edu

Format

Most of the course will be conducted asynchronously using Moodle and Writely with biweekly or monthly synchronous meetings using Elluminate or the new Skype tools for group audio.

• Moodle will be used for course management, collaboration and communication.
• Writely will be used for collaborative projects.

Textbook

• Readings will consist of articles, book chapters and other relevant material available via the Internet.