Evolution of a Listening Lab

Bob Palmer

ELI Faculty Retreat

May 18, 2012

EVOLUTION OF A LISTENING LAB

ELI LISTENING LABS IN THE BEGINNING “HAVE BOOMBOX, WILL TRAVEL”

AT FIRST, INTEREST APPEARED HIGH…..

BUT IT QUICKLY FADED WHEN “LAB” MEANT MORE OF THE SAME….

“The horror...”

METHODOLOGY, CONTINUITY OFTEN LACKING

WHAT TO DO?

SO, WE TOOK AN EMPTY ROOM IN AN OLD BUILDING…

DRESSED IT UP…

MEASURED & MARKED OFF SPACES FOR DESKS, ELECTRICAL & ETHERNET OUTLETS

ADDED DESKS AND DRILLED OUT CABLING SLOTS

ADDED AND CONNECTED 30 LAPTOP COMPUTERS TO A NETWORK

Before securing cables After securing cables

SEARCHED TONS OF TEXTS, CDS, DVDS,USING TWO MAIN CRITERIA:

• Is the content relevant? Does it address student needs ? Do Ss have the linguistic competence to digest it?

• Is it interesting? • Phil Rice – Movie trailers at Levels III, IV

CHOSE BEST OF BREED FOR EACH LEVEL

MADE A FEW ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES….

You WILL attend Listening Lab, or face the wrath of Lowell!!

OPENED THE DOORS…

AND THE STUDENTS CAME…

WELCOME TO THE NEW ELI LISTENING LAB

LOOK CLOSELY: WHAT DO YOU SEE?

LOOK CLOSELY: WHAT DON’T YOU SEE?

WHERE IS THE INSTRUCTOR?

WHAT THE INSTRUCTOR SEES FROM THE PODIUM (NET SUPPORT SCHOOL)

WITH THIS PROGRAM, FROM THE PODIUM THE TEACHER CAN:

• View every student’s computer screen

• Proactively monitor the status of the PCs themselves, such as low batteries, loss of Internet connection, frozen screens, etc.

• Send text and audio messages to all or selected students

• Listen in to what the student is listening to

• Chat with the student via voice or text

WHAT DO THE STUDENTS SEE?A MOODLE INTERFACE (DEMO)

STUDENTS CLICK ON THEIR COURSE, ENTER A PASSWORD, AND THE COURSE MENU OPENS

CLICKING ON “SCHEDULE” BRINGS UP THAT DAY’S PLANNED ACTIVITIES

LAB INSTRUCTOR INTRODUCES, SCAFFOLDS, AND BRIEFLY DEMOS THE ACTIVITIES

THEN STUDENTS GO TO WORK – AT THEIR OWN PACE – IN FULL CONTROL OF THEIR LEARNING

• Teacher fronted instruction • Autonomous learning

PARADIGM SHIFT

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES - 1

1. Limited bandwidth (garbled audio, screens freezing)

Proposed Solution: Upgrade the network infrastructure

2. Big jump in Basic/Level I students, requiring help to keep things running smoothly, rethinking software requirements

Proposed Solution: Take on TA/practicum student to assist; procure additional Rosetta Stone licenses

IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES - 2

1. Student hesitancy to speak in labs -- VoiceThread

Proposed Solution: Portable carrels to enhance sense of privacy, lower affective filter – West Park Elementary

2. The 1:30 lab slot – students straggling in late and upsetting the session flow – no food facilities near the lab

Possible Solutions: Reschedule the lab; Install vending machines and a large refrigerator, food cart

THANK YOU!