There are currently huge expectations from many countries of how the combination of digital technologies and English language learning can contribute to ‘human capital’. Technological skills and the ability to use the current global language of opportunity and commerce are seen both as essential and connected. This often ignores, or downplays, factors such as learning goals and learning styles. This seminar aims to redress this by providing an overview of the main current issues in the relationship between language pedagogy, educational policy, and informational technologies.
It will look in more detail and examine the pedagogical principles and underpinnings to effective online group development and, by extension, distributed, collaborative learning and training. Starting from group learning and constructivist theories, the seminar will introduce participants to a wide range of tools, approaches and pedagogical considerations, leading them to the formulation of an e-learning or community development strategy for their own particular context.
MAIN TOPICS:
- Online groups:
- theory – Communities of Practice
- tools and approaches
- sustaining and nurturing communities
- practice – Webheads in Action
- Online learning:
- technology - platforms and delivery mechanisms
- pedagogy – online educational theory
- instructional design – materials and course design
- Online teaching:
- e-moderation – the online tutor
- facilitation – remote participation, video-conferencing…
- development – teacher training online
- Case studies: real-life studies – lessons learnt and best practice
- Action plans: the local context – developing an e-learning strategy
This seminar is of interest to Educational policy advisers, teacher trainers, advisers, NGOs, ELT communities overseas, Universities, LEAs – Advisers at a national, regional and local level.
| 
