How Blended Learning Can Pack More Objectives in Your EAP Writing Classes
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This document discusses how hybrid/blended learning features can enhance writing classes by packing more learning into them. It provides examples of activities that can be moved online, freeing up class time for hands-on writing guidance. Some benefits mentioned are promoting learner autonomy, less grading for teachers through automated feedback, and addressing objectives that don't always get class time. Several learning platforms are described that can be used to create online units, including Nearpod, Versal, Quizlet, and Blackboard. Examples are given of how the author has used these platforms, such as for APA style guidance and peer review discussions.
How Blended Learning Can Pack More Objectives in Your EAP Writing Classes
- 1. HOW HYBRID/BLENDED FEATURES CAN PACK MORE LEARNING INTO EAP WRITING CLASSES Courtney King Central Michigan University
- 2. HYBRID/BLENDED/ENRICHED? Different applications and levels of commitment Think flipped classroom, but take it further with instruction, assessment, and feedback all potentially provided digitally. These are NOT online classes. We’re talking about your face-to-face classes enhanced by the kinds of activities and features you might find in an online course.
- 3. WHY BOTHER? Our objectives lists are not getting shorter We don’t always get to stick to the objectives Many of our students are “digital natives” and may prefer/enjoy the format The students who are not digital natives still need a certain level of tech-savvy to survive Learning to complete tasks online is, some argue, part of our evolving job as EAP instructors Promotes learner autonomy Selfish perks: Less grading! (potentially) Automatic feedback! (potentially)
- 4. WHAT CAN WE DO? Entire units can be presented in a digital format with class time being used to troubleshoot, teach the tech skills needed to complete the tasks, and go over student responses. The number/frequency of online units is up to you, your students, and the need as it arises. It isn’t a commitment. Save your face-to-face time for helping students with their individual needs, building models together, and teaching the writing skills that you are supposed to be focusing on. Those grammar points you want to address but don’t have the class time for? The APA tedium you pull your hair out over? Build an online unit and use it again and again! See what they need and fill in the gaps when they arrive in the classroom. Focus on the hands on writing guidance we’re getting paid to provide.
- 5. GROUP YOURSELVES Form groups with as many people you do not know as possible. Answer the following questions: What brought you to this session? What are you hoping to gain tonight? What kind of activities do you envision happening online in a hybrid writing class? What tasks do you dread in your face-to-face writing classroom? What tasks do you never have enough time for in your face-to-face classroom that you wish you could spend more time on?
- 6. HOW? Cost for Teachers Cost for Students Automatic Feedback Primary Advantage Potential Downfall $12/month $120/year* Free Yes Ease of use (import existing .ppts) No option to save progress and complete the task at a later time $50/year Free Yes Appearance No option for saving student grades, only tracking their progress $40/year* Free Yes Can hold students responsible for creating content Only tracks studying; Assessments have to occur outside the app Free* Free* Yes Seamlessly integrated into everything else you do Maintenance times prevent students from accessing content; not the most user-friendly
- 7. $12/month Web Present, Practice, & Assess NEARPOD Capabilities Present entire units, link to outside content, show videos, assess students with quizzes, short response questions, drawings Used for Grammar, APA/MLA, finding sources, narrowing a topic, writing topic sentences, almost anything you can think of BONUS Other teachers have created content that is free or affordable for premium users
- 8. WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR WITH NEARPOD Succeeding in Higher Education Workbook companion which engages students in an otherwise dull guide to academic integrity by giving examples and showing understanding Choosing a Great Research Topic step-by-step guide provides a little hand-holding so students come to class with usable ideas
- 9. $40/year Web Present & Practice VERSAL Capabilities Present entire units, link to outside content, show videos, require students to complete quizzes before moving on to future units, track student completion Used for Grammar, APA/MLA, finding sources, narrowing a topic, writing topic sentences, any topic you can find external content for or are willing to create BONUS Many pre-created modules are available for you to simply drag and drop into your course and then customize, such as a typing practice and matching exercise
- 10. WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR WITH VERSAL APA unit with games, guidelines, links to other sources, and a quiz required to move on to the next unit Parallel Structure unit with videos Typing practice
- 11. $30/year Web Practice QUIZLET Capabilities Flashcard program that allows teachers to create study sets and distribute them to students. Students to keep track of their progress with the set and compete. Now allows for pictures and recorded pronunciation. Used for Vocabulary from the assigned readings (teacher-created or student-created), writing terms, grammar vocabulary BONUS Once you create a study set you can use it with new classes. Student tracking allows you to see which students have used the study sets and which ones have not. Useful in conferences.
- 12. WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR WITH QUIZLET Vocabulary units based on the chapter’s vocabulary Writing jargon study sets Student-identified vocabulary from the readings in the unit
- 13. Free* Web Present, Practice, & Assess BLACKBOARD Capabilities Present entire units in content folders, embed or link to outside content (including any of the aforementioned tools), show videos, assess and record grades seamlessly in the platform you already use Used for Grammar, APA/MLA, finding sources, narrowing a topic, writing topic sentences, any topic you can find external content for or are willing to create BONUS Students most likely already know how to access Bb. Less student resistance to the platform and more cohesion with the rest of your program/university.
- 14. WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR WITH BLACKBOARD APA unit with videos to help with formatting, online guides, sample papers, and a quiz to test understanding. Graded Discussion Board Peer Review with extremely detailed instructions and Writer’s Workshop questions that guide the responses
- 15. GROUP ACTIVITY With your group, make a list of topics/tasks you might be able to move from the classroom to an online unit. Which platform(s) might you use for each? Why? What activities would you have more time for in the classroom if these other units were moved online?
- 16. THANK YOU! Courtney Elizabeth King king2ce@cmich.edu www.courtneyelizabethking.com