--- Forwarded Message from Duncan Charters <[log in to unmask]> ---
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 22:25:30 -0500
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>From: Duncan Charters <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #7633.2 High School Labs (!)
>I'm curious why you want the computers to
>facilitate this rather demanding technical task over simply having
>students speak face-to-face? Are you pairing students up over a
>distance, such as between different schools? If not, what do the
>computers add to this activity that is not present in simply pairing
>students up face-to-face?
>
>-John
>___________________________________________
>John de Szendeffy
I regularly pair students up in the classroom for conversation practice,
but noticed that they are much more excited about it when we do this in the
lab. So I asked colleagues who got the same reaction, observed what was
happening, and surveyed the students. There certainly seems to be enough
reason to try to incorporate this feature in any new lab arrangement, for
at least the following "top 10" reasons (a few may not apply in every lab
situation):
1. It's different, a change in the typical class pace and routine.
2. A lot of face-to-face communication is non-verbal. When practicing
language in a lab situation, you can focus on the verbal task without other
distractions.
3. Students tend to stay on task more rather than lapsing into English or
kidding with their friends when the teacher is not right next to them.
4. The teacher can monitor them any time without their knowing, and
intervene and correct without other students being aware or being disturbed
by that. The teacher can spend more time with those in need without others
noticing.
5. Students seem much less intimidated knowing that other people are not
watching them, or eavesdropping and hearing their mistakes, so they tend to
speak more freely. Students (especially middle-high school) can be very
conscious of how they look and sound to their peers in a group.
6. It's fun not knowing who your new partner is, so practice of greeting
questions happens naturally where it wouldn't make sense in face-to-face
class work. It keeps interest and anticipation high.
7. The constant "buzz" of everyone talking in a class situation makes it
harder for students to focus on what their partner is saying and understand
it, especially when they are struggling to express themselves and respond
to questions and statements. There is little such distraction with
headsets, even less where there is some isolation between positions.
8. By switching pairs, all students can talk to all other students in the
class without constantly moving themselves or their chairs around. They
stay in touch with everyone in the class and can get information quickly
from each one if doing a survey or checking on others' reactions.
9. One of the most challenging tasks in a foreign country is communicating
on the phone when one has had practice only with face-to-face
communication. Students who have practiced this a lot in the lab find that
situation more natural and familiar.
10. With the newer full-feature labs that have "telephone dialing"
capability, the teacher can allow students to take control of their own
communication when appropriate, so practice can become less
teacher-directed when students have shown they have learned the material.
Free (or freer) conversation can follow guided practice seamlessly with one
quick announcement to all of the change.
Dr. Duncan Charters
Professor, Language Department
Principia College, Elsah, IL 62028-9799
Telephone: (618) 374-5252 Fax: (618) 374-5465
E-mail: <[log in to unmask]>
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