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 * AMLA 604: Motivating Students via Technology **

** Summer 2010 **
**Course Description:** The focus of this course is on identifying opportunities to integrate technology in a pedagogically sound way into the world languages classroom. Students will discuss how technology can be used in the second language classroom to motivate language learners.

Specifically students will reflect on how the capabilities of technology relate to specific issues in the world language classroom: learner styles/individual differences, attention and awareness, task-based instruction, and the integration of culture. Through observations and discussions of how technology is used at Concordia Language Villages, students will develop a unit plan that integrates the use of technology to motivate students in the world language classroom. Specific course topics include:
 * 1) Introduction to Technology in the World Languages classroom
 * 2) Capturing the attention of your students
 * 3) Using technology to increase student engagement in learning
 * 4) Digital storytelling
 * 5) Making effective PowerPoint
 * 6) Creating Podcasts

The purpose of the curriculum at Concordia College is to prepare students to become responsibly engaged in the world. The intended instructional outcomes for this course and all language instruction at the College address the Goals for Liberal Learning as listed below. For the full text of Concordia College’s //Goals for Liberal Learning//, consult this address:[| http://www4.cord.edu/acadAffairs/reports/Goals20040116.pdf]. These outcomes also reflect the ACTFL Standards for Language Learning in the 21st Century as noted:

1. **//Love of Learning//**: Goal for Liberal Learning 1 and ACTFL Standard 5.2 encourage students to show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the second language and taking an on-going interest in other cultures beyond the classroom.

2. **//Intellectual skills and transferable intellectual capacities//**: ACTFL Standards 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 coincide with Goal for Liberal Learning 2, which challenges students to achieve “a level of linguistic proficiency in a language other than his/her own.”

3. **//Understanding of disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and intercultural perspectives, and their connections//**: Goal for Liberal Learning 3, like ACTFL Standards 2.1 and 2.2, challenges students to understand, appreciate and respect “the diversity of human experiences both within the United States and globally,” consider international “social and political forces that shape people’s experiences,” and extend “her/his perspective to include a language and culture not their own.” Like ACTFL Standards 3.1 and 3.2, it encourages students to recognize and evaluate critically “multiple perspectives of a discipline” and the connections they hold to other disciplines.

4. **//Examined cultural, ethical, physical, and spiritual self-understanding//**: Through comparisons to other cultures, Goal for Liberal Learning 4 and ACTFL Standards 4.1 and 4.2 help students to know themselves and to be reflective about their identities.

5. **//Responsible participation in the world//**: As in ACTFL Standard 5.1, Goal for Liberal Learning 5 “cultivates understanding, ability, and sensitivity for thoughtful, informed, and active participation in the world.” **Major Goals, Outcomes, and Assignments:**
 * 1) Students will discuss how the capabilities of technology relate to specific issues in second language learning: learner styles/individual differences, attention and awareness, task-based instruction, the integration of culture.


 * 1) Students will summarize the key ideas presented in a variety of current scholarly articles related to technology. The topics presented in the articles will be discussed in class, giving students the opportunity to connect the topics to their teaching situations and/or observations at Concordia Language Villages.


 * 1) Students will keep a journal of observations related to the use of technology in the Language Villages, and how the ideas could be adapted for classroom use. Special attention will be given to the use of Village Pages and their use of blogs. Students will compare the uses of blogs and Wikis.


 * 1) Students will demonstrate that they can take pictures with a digital camera, edit the pictures, and place them in a PowerPoint presentation. The demonstration will be accompanied by an explanation of how the technology will be integrated into their instruction to meet the curricular goals of their program, and how students will be involved in creating presentations using the technology demonstrated.


 * 1) Students will demonstrate that they can use Comic Life to create a storyboard and comic book. The demonstration will be accompanied by an explanation of how the technology will be integrated into their instruction to meet the curricular goals of their program, and how students will be involved in creating presentations using the technology demonstrated.


 * 1) Students will demonstrate that they know how to make and edit a movie using a digital camera and Movie Maker. The demonstration will be accompanied by an explanation of how the technology will be integrated into their instruction to meet the curricular goals of their program, and how students will be involved in creating presentations using the technology demonstrated.


 * 1) Students will demonstrate that they know how to make Podcasts. The demonstration will be accompanied by an explanation of how the technology will be integrated into their instruction to meet the curricular goals of their program, and how students will be involved in creating presentations using the technology demonstrated.

**Evaluation:** Final course grades will be based on the following components:

Class Discussion and Participation 20% Journal entries 10% PowerPoint presentation 20% ComicLife presentation 15% Movie Maker presentation 20% Podcast presentation 15%

All work is to be done in English, with the exception of teaching materials developed in the target language for use in the classroom.

**Grading Scale:** A = 100 – 90 B = 89 – 80 C = 79 – 70 D = 69 – 60

**Course Policies:**
 * 1) Attendance at all classes and at all observations in the Language Villages is required.
 * 2) Journal entries may be hand-written and should be approximately 150 words in length, incorporating reflections on scholarly articles.
 * 3) All students are expected to comply with the policies outlined in //Academic Integrity at Concordia College.//
 * 4) Final projects are due no later than three weeks after the last day of the summer session (July 29). This means that all work should be sent to Dr. Mambo by August 21, 2010. They should be submitted as email attachments. Send copies of your projects to Donna Clementi (clementi@cord.edu ).

**Academic Integrity Statement:** The students and faculty of Concordia College are committed to the expectations and procedures set forth in the joint statement on academic responsibility. Academic honesty is expected of all students at all times. Dishonesty (e.g., cheating or plagiarism) will result in a minimal penalty of failing the exam or assignment. Some offenses constitute grounds for failing the course.