E-learning technology in a Modern Language classroom environment

Project #: 25
Name: Schlichting-Artur, Simone (schlichs@drexel.edu; 215-895-2443)
Department: Culture and Communication
Academic Area: Modern Languages

Title: E-learning technology in a Modern Language classroom environment

Description:
While studying a foreign language, students are not provided with sufficient opportunities to practice their listening, hearing and writing skills in a regular classroom environment. My research concentrates on a pilot project in a German classroom setting that capitalizes on the unique opportunities afforded by e-learning technologies and ethnography in the creation of meaningful language learning. / / Students are given the task to record themselves speaking in the target language for one hour per week via smart phone or computer. Then the students need to send the recording to a peer who, in turn, needs to transcribe the words to which they have listened. Finally, students report on the listening exercise in the classroom and post the transcript on an online course content page. / / These exercises give students opportunities to practice their listening skills, to reinforce their writing and structural skills, and to enhance their speaking skills. By employing these e-learning technologies and redefining the classroom in an elastic context, it is the intend of the research to establish to which extend the application of this particular e-learning tool can better serve students who are given little time in class to improve their language skills.

Associated Independent Study:
The student should put together a book/article review for the topic under research investigation, namely e-learning technology in a Modern Language classroom learning environment

Gained Experience:
proficiency in a particular area of research and understanding how to use resources

Outcome:
The outcome of this research will be an article and the establishment of best practices at this university.

Tasks:
The Research Fellow will be asked to aid in the analysis of data gathered over the last terms and to undertake a comparative study of research on e-learning tools in Modern Languages.

Location:
Modern Language Program

Meetings:
flexible, twice or three times a week

Interview Availability: March 7