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“Beyond Borders” is a safe, password-protected, moderated web site to improve the Foreign Languages skills of advanced French students and to teach them about Culture and Life in different countries. There, students can send emails to a forum, text chat live, collaborate on central documents (wikis), post voicemails and keep blogs. http://wkto.free.fr/as/0607_SCHOOLYEAR/bbs08.htm
Students can send emails to a forum, text chat live, collaborate on central documents (wikis), post voicemails and keep blogs. New technologies have recently been added, including a voicemail system and a 24/7 VoIP server for live audio conferencing. It can be described as a big on-line community, which can be accessible from class and at home. This digital architecture allows all students to work at their own pace, an effective solution to the challenge of differentiation. Video-Conferencing lessons are also in application, supported by equipments provided by the Welsh Video Network. The WVN provides training and technical support to the Video-Conferencing system. http://www.wvn.ac.uk/
The students’ ability to communicate in foreign languages with international virtual class-mates (asynchronously) and via the use of Video/audio conferencing (synchronously) has progressed. They have become more confident and have learnt to share their skills through the joint work projects. They have become used to searching for information in a different language on the web, and have learnt how to manage their activities with the use of a six-monthly planner. This digital architecture allows all students to work at their own pace and is accessible from class and at home. It is an effective solution to the challenge of differentiation.
“By personalising learning students are more in control and, therefore, the project lies on the shoulders of many.”
“Great mixed media approach to building community online.”
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