Mark Gensimore

Jed Friedrichsen

blendedschools.net Language Institute: An

Inside Look

blendedschools.net Language Institute: An

Inside Look

Overview of today’s sessionOverview of today’s session

๏ About blendedschools.net๏ Why study critical languages?๏ History of BSN Language Institute๏ Student learning in BSN Language Institute๏ How your students can get involved๏ Wall Street West’s role๏ Future of BSN Language Institute๏ Q & A

The Emergence of blendedschools.netThe Emergence of

blendedschools.net๏ SCRC became blendedschools.net on July 1, 2003

๏ A network of 130+ PA school districts that optimize technology to ensure all students have an opportunity to learn.

๏ Awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation status in November 2003.

๏ Continues to facilitating the use of videoconferencing to connect learners with teachers.

๏ Offers a wide variety of online courses.

๏ Continues to seek technology solutions to increase learning.

Cognitive benefits of learning a second language

Cognitive benefits of learning a second language๏ Physically changes the

brain’s anatomy by adding gray matter and increasing brain density

๏ Affected by proficiency attained and age at acquisition

๏ Increased and accelerated cognitive development and flexibility

Academic benefits of learning a second language

Academic benefits of learning a second language

๏ Increase native language ability, improved literacy

๏ Test scores improve

๏ Improve chances of entry into college or graduate school

Career benefits of learning a second language

Career benefits of learning a second language

๏ Increase/enhance employment opportunities?

๏ Compete and collaborate fairly and successfully in global society

๏ Multilingualism is a natural way of life for three quarters of the human race

Personal benefits of learning a second language

Personal benefits of learning a second language

๏ To increase understanding of oneself and one’s own culture

๏ Better equipped to adapt and cope in a changing society

๏ Appreciation of other cultures and customs and ability to deal with unfamiliar cultural ideas

Why study these languages?Why study these languages?๏ Mandarin Chinese

- Most spoken language in the world- Economy growing in leaps and bounds

๏ Japanese- Second largest economy in the world- Created much of culture of today’s youth

๏ Arabic- Promote intercultural understanding- Careers in diplomacy, energy or military, Google?

๏ Russian- Demand will increase as energy, economic, diplomatic

and military position expands

History of BSN Language Institute

History of BSN Language Institute

๏ Started under CAPE (Center for Advancing Partnerships in Education )- Started as a single online Japanese class with a

university- Dual Enrollment money available and Seton Hill

contacted to become Dual Enrollment partner

History of BSN Language Institute

History of BSN Language Institute

๏ 2007-2008 was year of expansion- Chinese, Arabic, Russian classes added and syllabi

approved by Seton Hill (Levels I – IV)

- CAPE located and hired instructors and Seton Hill approved them as adjunct faculty

- Chinese and Arabic enrichment courses for elementary

- Dual Enrollment offerings

๏ Wall Street West Wired Grant awarded in June 2008

History of BSN Language Institute

History of BSN Language Institute

๏ Acquired by BSN and renamed BSN Language Institute in August 2008

๏ Former CAPE staff and language instructors utilized

๏ Blackboard © Academic suite added

๏ Wimba added

๏ Fall 2008 - 27 classes and almost 400 students

๏ Spring 2009 - 32 classes and 480 students

Current CurriculumCurrent Curriculum

๏ Chinese 1, 2, 3, 4, Elementary, Middle School Enrichment

๏ Japanese 1, 2, 3, 4, Elementary, Middle School Enrichment

๏ Arabic 1, 2, 3, 4, Elementary, Middle School Enrichment

๏ Russian 1, 2, 3, 4, Elementary, Middle School Enrichment

๏ Dual Enrollment option

๏ Four proficiency skills

- Writing

- Reading

- Speaking

- Listening

๏ Culture explored throughout course

๏ Dual Enrollment option

๏ Four proficiency skills

- Writing

- Reading

- Speaking

- Listening

๏ Culture explored throughout course

Course descriptionsCourse descriptionsChinese, Japanese, Arabic, Russian ๏Level I

- An introductory course for basic comprehension and communication. Coordinates the study of language with culture through the use of multimedia.

๏Level 2

- More intensive course which emphasizes development of communication and writing skills. Includes readings in cultural and literary material.

๏Level 3

- Development of narrative and conversational skills and proficiency-oriented problem solving.

๏Level 4

- Study of the current and historic cultural trends in countries of target language. Specialized uses of grammar. Develops idiomatic use of the language.

What does a student experience?

What does a student experience?

๏ Synchronous 2.5 hrs/week

๏ Asynchronous 2.5 hrs/week

What does a student experience?

What does a student experience?๏ Students have a textbook – text, workbook, ancillary

materials

๏ Offline days are “lab” days- Students practice with ancillary materials that accompany

text

- Utilize Blackboard © to turn in assignments, access resources, other multimedia

- Listen, record audio content (Wimba Voice tools)

๏ Assessments may be done in writing, with BlackBoard©, Wimba Voice Emails, Pronto, in Live Classroom

๏ Classroom facilitator present to take attendance and proctor tests, but student is largely responsible for their learning

How the pieces fit together

How the pieces fit together

๏ BSN Staff- Overseeing class enrollment/billing/operations- Provide course technology/technical support- Instructors/training

๏ Districts- Primary Contact- On site Facilitator- Provide participant technology/technical support

๏ Seton Hill University- Approval of instructors/syllabi- SHU course catalog- Dual Enrollment credit- Advisement

Wall Street West is a project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. It’s purpose is to create a high-technology environment in Northeast Pennsylvania to support a backup area for Wall Street operations.

9-County Region9-County Region

WayneLackawannaPikeLuzerneMonroeCarbonLehighNorthamptonBerks

BSN Largest WSW Education AwardeeBSN Largest WSW Education Awardee

๏ $292,315 to Expand Global Language Infrastructure

๏ Provides through December, 2009:

- Discounts for BSN Language Institute courses

- Information sessions

- Technical Support

Discounts on Up-Front Costs

Discounts on Up-Front Costs

Covers 11th and 12th graders (age 16 and above)

Reimburses up to $100 per studentfor textbooks, workbooks, CD/DVD

Reimburses for graphics tablet and headset

๏2009-2010- Summer camp

- Summer dual enrollment & college courses

- New languages: Spanish, French, German, Hindi and Latin

- 60 course sessions per semester with 750 enrollments

๏2010-beyond- Synchronous institute

- Noncompetitive courses for all academic areas

Program Expansion/FutureProgram Expansion/Future