intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Integrating NDLR learning objects with Blackboard to deliver multimedia-based tasks and assessments in Italian Laura McLoughlin Department of Italian NUI Galway Paul Gormley and Michelle Tooher Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), NUI Galway ;

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Overview 1. The NDLR and the Modern Languages’ CoP 2. How the Italian Department in NUI Galway is using the NDLR repository as a Content Management System to organise departmental resources. 3. Description of how the NDLR learning object public URLs integrate with Blackboard to produce a set of online tasks and assessments. 4. Presentation will highlight the lifecycle of the model through requirements definition, production, implementation, evaluation and review.

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Modern Languages’ CoP and the NDLR  What is the National Digital Learning Repository (NDLR)?  “A HEA-funded project which aims to provide a framework to support academics in the development and sharing of digital learning resources (in subject communities) in Irish Universities and Institutes of Technology.”  What is the Modern Languages’ Community of Practice (CoP)?  “… aims to support anyone involved in teaching languages (including literature and culture) in Irish universities or Institutes of Technology. We want you to feel part of a wider community and to join our spirit of “share and share alike,” passing on materials, information. and support to one another.”

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Facilitation via the Modern Languages’ Cop  How does the Modern Languages’ CoP facilitate and encourage the use of the repository?  Dedicated website for Modern Languages’ Community  One-stop-shop  Examples of how to use resources  Help guides –.wmv,.ppt,.pdf  Events, conferences, meetings, project launches  Podcasts  Online meeting rooms

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Why – Background and Rationale  Italian Department - Dr. Laura McLoughlin and Dr. Anne O’Connor  Update and upgrade resources for standard and applied Italian.  To have a pool of resources free from copyright, which could be freely used, digitised and adapted in accordance with the needs of the class or of individual students.  To make resources available through Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment.  To improve vocabulary retention by learners through multimedia activities.  NUIG Blackboard Upgrade – CELT, NUI Galway  Blackboard Learning Edition 6.0 to 7.2 (Blackboard Academic Suite)  Investigating best practice.  NDLR Project – NUIG NDLR Team  Use and repurpose learning objects.  Develop a bank of resources that could be added to.  Content Management System.

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 What - Creating the Resources  Identifying the Resources  Foreign language resources for students of Italian, level B1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages : interactive exercises, audio and video material, listening comprehension, webquests.  Funding Resource Development  CELT contributed €2000 to support the development of resources from NUIG institutional NDLR funding allocation  Jennifer Lertola  Lucia Camozzi

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008

Evaluation 1/3 – Italian Student feedback …on the use of multimedia-based stimulus questions… “…it requires different skills because the exercises not only concern written comprehension, as in text-based questions, but also oral – in case of audio files - visual - in case of pictures - or both - in case of videos…” …on the student user experience… “…multimedia exercises are very useful for language students, not only because they provide different stimuli and capture the attention of the student, but also because they make the language itself more realistic…” “…Videos are above all useful because they are more similar to the real interaction with a native Italian speaker the students can have, since they combine both spoken language, and gestures and body expressions…”

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Evaluation 2/3 – Italian Staff feedback This model was successful because: …it favours a holistic approach to language learning: learners combine seeing, listening, hearing (background noises in a video/audio clip for example) speaking and acquiring language structures. …Because it relies on skills most students have already acquired and mastered (IT and web skills), giving them a sense of reassurance. …The use of interactive digital resources creates a more stimulating environment for the learner, thanks to their inherent “entertainment” value. This helps defuse the tension which can characterize a more traditional “frontal” learning environment, with its perceived obligatory nature.

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Evaluation 2/3 – Reviewing the model  Blackboard - tests easily updated and modified  Blackboard – resources can be repurposed to student need  Greater number of resources through NDLR repository  Application to other contexts – repurposing learning objects  CDs, webquests, 1 year Diploma eLearning module  Beyond the Italian context  Association of French Teachers (AFA) – collaboration with NDLR Modern Languages Community of Practice to utilise this model

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Summary and Future Developments  Useful pragmatic model.  Good solution to Italian Department requirements by utilising Blackboard and NDLR functionality.  Model will be augmented, expanded, and broadened by the Italian Department in NUIG.  Applied to other language contexts.

intraLibrary Repository Conference 2008 Further information  Language content: Dr. Laura McLoughlin  NDLR Modern Languages:  NDLR Modern Languages website: