PBT and the Web The Feasibility of Teaching English in Rural Russia Leon Gipson Web Developer and Systems Analyst ECU Ludmila Tataru Ludmila Tataru Chair of English Assistant Professor in English Philology BfSSU Olga Chistova Director of Computing Center BfSSU Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State Ministry of Education of the Saratov Oblast East Carolina University (USA) Saratov State University (Russia)

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future2 Overview and Issues I. Need for English Courses II. Distance Education in Russia III. Performance-Based Training IV. Putting Together the Future

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future3 Need for English Courses  Overview  Why English? PBT and the Web The Feasibility of Teaching English in Rural Russia

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future4 Distance Education in Russia  Overview  Attitudes  “We wouldn’t use this system in my country very soon.”  “We are not used to independent study.”  “We prefer face to face.”  “A new way of thinking in Russia.” PBT and the Web The Feasibility of Teaching English in Rural Russia

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future5 Performance Based Training  What is PBT?  Active Learning  Why PBT?  “Teaching is not only giving knowledge, but also making sure the student has the ability to apply it. Knowledge is not so good unless you can apply it.” - Vladimir Strahov PBT and the Web The Feasibility of Teaching English in Rural Russia

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future6 Putting Together the Future  Bridging the Gap  Where We Are Now  Where We Want To Be  What It Will Take  Will It Be Feasible? PBT and the Web The Feasibility of Teaching English in Rural Russia

Leon Gipson Web Developer and Systems Analyst ECU Ludmila Tataru Ludmila Tataru Chair of English Assistant Professor in English Philology BfSSU Olga Chistova Director of Computing Center BfSSU Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State Ministry of Education of the Saratov Oblast East Carolina University (USA) Saratov State University (Russia) Thank You Спасибо

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future8 STOP….. end of slide presentation

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future9  Development of the principles of working and methods of teaching of foreign languages via the virtual representation of the educational establishment in the system of open education

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future10 Teaching-Methodical Issues  The aims to be set in the process of teaching/learning.  The choice of the ways of monitoring (guiding) the learning activities.  The modeling of the communicative situations.  The thorough selection and structuring of the practical material, the formulation of questions and test tasks, etc.  Taking into consideration the previously acquired knowledge and skills.  The choice of the evaluative criteria for the acquired knowledge, skills and the level of the students’ socio- linguistic competence.

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future11 Psychological Issues  Taking into account the possibility of negative attitude towards the use of computer techniques, both on the part of the learner and on the part of the teacher.  Diagnosing the learner’s individual features to observe the principle of individualisation of education.  Developing the main and optional “man – computer”dialogues necessary for the learners’ cognitive activities stimulation, securing the feedback, as well as an adequate help in case of difficulties, etc.  Observing the principle of high motivation in the process of learning.  Analysis of the aesthetic aspect of the material and information presented in the teaching program.

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future12 Organizational Issues  Securing a cooperative atmosphere within the team of authours and specialists working on the course, including experienced specialists in the subject (English), methods of teaching and a programmer, a psychologist, a designer and other specialists desirable.  Evaluation of the effectivness of the teaching program.  Testing carried out with the aim of fawlt elimination or/and quality improving.

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future13 Technical Issues  The choice of the program-apparatus means used for the realization of the aims of the course and its argumentation.  Working out the nucleus of the system (computer program or a complex of programs).  Filling the course with concrete material (entering the test, graphic, audio- and video information). Establishing logical connections between the parts of the course.  The development of an on-line help system and printed documentation.  Working out the instructions and recommendations on the program using and tuning to be used by the teachers.  Considering the possibility of the system modification due to outer factors, such as new scientific developments, changes in the curriculum as well as the possibility of its adaptation to different computer resources and the learners’ individual tastes.

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future14 Ergonomic Issues  Consideration of the ergonomic aspects of the program-user interaction (the learner and/or teacher).

17 May 2002Global Partnerships for a Democratic Future15  The importance of actively engaging the student by maintaining their attention, providing meaningful life experiences, allowing practical application and communicating relevant feedback is essential. This presentation will include a discussion of what active learning is and how the Web could be utilized in a rural Russian environment to teach English.