NNETESOL
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH
November 14, 2003

Christine Bauer-Ramazani
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT 05495
e-mail: cbauer-ramazani at smcvt.edu

The theoretical and pedagogical implications of authentic, collaborative web projects

The presenter shared a project that demonstrates the principles of constructivism and project-based learning in using CALL projects in the classroom. Students in her advanced intensive English program class collaborated on three projects that used English as the medium of communication/interaction/negotiation, integrated the skills of English (listening, speaking, reading, writing), and culminated in the construction of a web page for each project.  The presenter’s goal had been to find a project that would provide the students with a type of language immersion by involving them in meaningful, authentic activities that would foster collaboration, building on the group members’ skills, and a movement toward learner autonomy. In addition, this project was to be of value to future students and the community at large.  Much to the presenter’s surprise, the students took over the lead for this project and worked mostly outside of class. They decided on the topics, conducted surveys on campus, grouped the data they obtained, ranked the information, and decided how to present it on a web page. The teacher’s role became that of facilitator and consultant, both for the technological and language aspects. As the students wanted to present a near-perfect web page to the public, they insisted on multiple drafts and revisions of the final web page text that accompanied the surveys, pictures, and maps, thus making the writing process a natural outlet for their creativity.

Abstract:

The presenter will demonstrate the principles of constructivism and project-based learning by sharing a web project that her students created collaboratively.  They used English to negotiate meaning and incorporated all four skill areas in the final outcome—a web page that is hosted on the Saint Michael’s College web site.

Bio:

Christine Bauer-Ramazani (MBA, MA, MEd) enjoys implementing with her Intensive English Program students the principles she teaches in her graduate Computer-Assisted Language Learning course.  She has pioneered the development and teaching of online courses both at Saint Michael’s College and elsewhere.  She is also a founder of TESOL’s Electronic Village ONLINE and has taught one of the TESOL Online Academies.  Christine presents regularly at TESOL and the Internet Fair on online teaching/learning as well as business writing.