Workshops

Thursday morning

W1 - Language Acquisition Technology to Enhance Student-Centered Pedagogy (Exhibitor workshop)
Presenter: Tim O’Hagan – AURALOG
A fact-filled, fun workshop with advanced technologies like speech recognition, showing improvements in language learning. After the pop-quiz (yes, your turn), participants will customize technology into classroom – engage, personalize, integrate. Then overviews of Student Portal, AdminTools, TutorTools, and Tracking Portal. Demos and practice ways to align technology with your curriculum. Creative, engaging activities, plenty of hands-on practice, and a light-hearted look at technology and teacher partnering with a former ESL teacher make this a must-do workshop.
Note: Participants in this workshop will travel together to a nearby campus.

W2 - Thinking out of the xBox: Creative writing through computer games
Presenter: Ewan McIntosh
Since Rousseau¹s Emile we have become increasingly aware of the importance of play in learning: "[The ideal child] would run about barefoot all year round, upstairs, downstairs, and in the garden..." While many of our students wish they could do this, an increasing number find their ludic learning in the world of computer games. Using some cheap, free and widely available computer games, Ewan will take the session on a creative writing and speaking journey, before inviting participants to explore some other web-based games and stories which can help stimulate the creative juices in even the most reluctant learners.

Thursday afternoon

W3 - A New Bag of Tricks
Presenters: Kristy Britt and Terri Wilbanks, University of South Alabama
It’s hard to keep up with the changing resources available on the World Wide Web, so we’ve compiled a resource list for foreign language faculty. At this workshop, presenters will outline a sample of what’s available and ready for classroom use.  Participants will have hands on practice and will each receive a “grab bag” of resources to take back to their institutions.  Participants are encouraged to bring the addresses of their favorite free websites.

W4 - Imagine the Possibilities! (Exhibitor workshop)
Presenter: Norah Jones – Vista Higher Learning
Experience Imagina and Imaginez, Spanish and French upper-level instructional programs that take students (and teachers) on unprecedented language and cultural tours. See how effectively-integrated text and technology help you create communities of learners in your classroom and connect them with the world.  This workshop includes work with texts, internet, and multimedia, and with content that includes relevant contexts, thought-provoking themes, award-winning short films, documentaries, culture, literature, and music. Texts and support materials provided to each participant.

Saturday morning

W5 - Integrating Fun Technology in Language Learning
Presenter: Rachida Primov, University of Miami
Increasingly, educational institutions find it necessary to integrate technology to support their instructional missions. Technology has not only become an integral component in teaching but it is a component that can be fun to use.  Students enjoy the challenge and excitement a game provides.  Using PowerPoint is one way to capitalize on this excitement.  The session will present two simple-to-adapt templates that enable the instructor to quickly prepare challenging and enjoyable review materials or provide a venue for students to synthesize what they know.

W6 - Web 2.0 for Language Professionals: What's all the Hullabaloo?
Presenter: Jeffrey D. Samuels
Web 2.0 refers in part to social networking via the internet. We and our students alike are now potential producers of L2 realia, and are empowered to create and share research, assignments, and life stories. This session will include demonstration of Web 2.0 sites for language educators. Discussion will discuss the benefits, cautions, caveats, and potentials for using Web 2.0 with students and colleagues.

Saturday afternoon

W7 - Shortcuts To Using Technology In The Foreign Language Classroom
Presenter: Georgia Schlau, College of Charleston
Learn what is on the internet for teachers to use with a minimum of preparation. Find in YouTube, Quia, Merlot, TECLA and other sites material already prepared and ready to use.  Afterall, who has time?

W8 - Making your podcast more pro
Presenter: Ewan McIntosh
Recording student work and publishing it is something many educators have done once or twice before handing in the gauntlet on a time-consuming, although fun, activity. Podcasting can be more manageable if you know how: we will talk about small but regular shows recorded, produced and published by the students, linking into their own formative assessment.