1 Chinese Information Processing : Using Computers to Teach and Learn Chinese Week 12: Computer Mediated Communication in Teaching Chinese

What is CMC – Computer Mediated Communication Synchronous – MSN, Yahoo, QQ instant messengers – Skype + Mikogo – WizIq (Virtual classroom) – Elluminate – ConnectNow – SecondLife (3D) Asynchronous – , BBS, Blog, etc.

Skype Group Chat

WizIq

ConnectNow

SecondLife

Why Skype? Free and stable High audio quality Teleconference function (24 participants) Voice and text chat Supplemented by Mikogo Desktop sharing Allows PPT presentation, application sharing, whiteboard

SLI – Summer Language Institute for Strategic Language Initiative First summer Intensive Study in Long Beach (6 weeks) Residential Study in Long Beach (6 weeks) Fall semester Hybrid online learning (15 weeks) Monthly meeting (4 meetings) Spring semester Hybrid online learning (15 weeks) Monthly meeting (4 meetings) Second summer Study in China (6 weeks)

Interval maintenance program 1. Voice tutoring provided by eChineselearning.com (Beijing) – 1 hour one-to-one tutoring each week for 30 weeks – Textbook chosen by SLI faculty – Session reports sent to students and faculty 2. Text chat with the instructor – 1 hour one-to-group each week for 30 weeks – Online reading and discussion 3. On spot or online tutoring with GAs – 1 hour one-to-one tutoring (questions and answers)

After the interval program…

Result SAT was used to access students’ achievements. Three SAT tests were administered: before the SLI program, before the interval program and after the interval program. Test result shows that most students’ proficiency is maintained and improved.

Benefits and problems Students keep learning anywhere Students keep up the language (speaking, reading and composing) Students’ learning styles vary – some are more punctual than others; some are more ‘silent’ than others during group chatting Workload is heavier for faculty in order to keep track of students’ assignments and progress Cost of running the program

An unique experience: Skype fights quarantine In June 2009, all SLI students and faculty were quarantined in Shanghai due to H1N1 flu. Students use CMC to communicate and study. Two sessions during each day and one free chat each day in the evening.

Online chat sample

What’s next? Virtual world – SecondLife – There – Hipihi – 3D avatar chat

Example 1: MyChina Village Virtual Chinese Immersion Camp 2009 University of Oregon, in collaboration with Soochow University's Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Program, Avant Assessment, and Centric, sponsored MyChina Village Virtual Chinese Immersion Camp August 3, August 28, 2009, Monday-Friday Make friends and participate in fun activities with people in China Learn about global environmental issues and develop an ecological park in MyChina Village Live virtually with a Chinese roommate Experience study abroad in China in the comfort of your room Taste college life in China

Example 2: Monash University (Australia)

Visions Computer-supported language teaching will be normalized (Bax 2003) Modern technology will bring unprecedented changes in education No matter how technology changes, the focus remains the same – interaction between teachers and students, what and how to teach.

Classroom Practice 1 Go to Join for free Create and launch a course. Explore the functions of WizIq Create another session Invite your group member to join Explore the functions of WizIq 23

Classroom Practice 2 Go to Register for a free account Start a Mikogo session Invite your group member to join Explore the functions of Mikogo 24

Classroom Practice 3 Go to Explore how Second Life works 25

Homework/Project Project 5: Create and launch an online session (due 11/23 and 30 in class) 26

Thank you!