GSL520/GED565: Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Online
Professor: Christine Bauer-Ramazani
Saint Michael's College

Syllabus -- Summer 2008 -- DEMO

The course is delivered through the Saint Michael's Online Portal of eCollege--This is just a demo site!  If you are a currently enrolled student, you have reached this site in error.  Please go to http://smcvtonline.org and use the log-in information and password you have been sent.

Contact the instructor (cbauer-ramazani at smcvt.edu) for up-to-date course information. 

Textbooks

See Texts, Articles, and Recommended Journals

Course Description

Participants learn how to incorporate computer technology into lessons that enhance the skills of English language learners (K-12, adult) through project-based activities, including newsletters, animated slide shows, Internet resources, interactive Web spaces, software, concordancing, and WebQuests.  Participants review current research and discuss the effectiveness of technological media through peer reviews and critical evaluation of web sites and software.  Prerequisite: Familiarity with the Windows operating system (Win 98, or higher) basic file management, Internet navigation, e-mail, and word-processing. Students need Word and PowerPoint (latest version) and must have the ability to store large file (e.g. CD-RW, Flash drives/memory sticks).  Course meets requirements for ESL licensure.. A $120 e-College lab fee will be charged.  Cross-listed with GED 565.

Prerequisites

  Qualifications/Computer Skills/
Hardware/Software/Other Prerequisites

  1. Qualifications: To receive credit, applicants need to fulfill Saint Michael's College (www.smcvt.edu/gradprograms) requirements. Please see the Admission requirements, tuition/fees, calendar, and online application on this Web site.  You may also contact the instructor (cbauer-ramazani at smcvt.edu).

  2. Skills: COMPETENCE in the Windows operating system (Win98 or higher), basic file management, Internet navigation, e-mail, and word processing  

  3. Hardware: preferred and recommended--2 MB RAM memory, sound and video cards, CD-RW drive, DSL or cable modem; microphone; headset or speakers; printer (optional: Web cam)

  4. Software: Internet Explorer (newest version) or Firefox; a word processing program (preferably MS WordXP or later); an email program capable of sending attached documents (preferably MS OutlookXP or later); MS PowerPointXP (or later), or you may download open source software from OpenOffice at http://www.openoffice.org/ (for wordprocessing, download “Writer”; for presentations, download “Impress”), but there will be missing features/functions and incompatibility issues when we use the Insert Comments and Track Changes features, which the free software doesn't have, but which is extremely useful to educators.

  5. Computer access time: 10 - 15 hours time per week

  6. Technical requirements for the eCollege course management system: Please run the Browser Test at http://smcvtonline.org/index.learn?action=technical

  7. Online learning: If you'd like to find out if you are temperamentally suited to engage in an online course, please take the simple and quick multiple-choice Self-Assessment at the Community College of Philadelphia. Let me know how you did via email (cbauer-ramazani at smcvt dot edu).
Course Objectives

CALL Online participants are expected to integrate the learned technologies into their specific teaching and learning environments (ESL, EFL, Foreign Language, technology in education).  In particular, they will

1.  establish an interactive and collaborative online learning community by using computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools --(computer-mediated communication literacy)
2.  demonstrate their understanding of the history, theory, and research of CALL
3.  demonstrate competence in the use of computers and computer applications (Word, PowerPoint, Web editors) for teaching, in particular language teaching (computer literacy)
4.  author instructional materials for their target learners that incorporate computer applications, multimedia, Internet resources, and web-based authoring tools (multimedia literacy)
5.  evaluate online information, resources and software critically (information literacy)
6.  identify and use online resources for professional development

Based on the four “electronic literaciesin Warschauer, Mark (2002).  A Developmental Perspective on Technology in Language Education, TESOL Quarterly 36,(3).

Course Requirements

The basic course requirements consist of two parts: 1)  Required subscriptions (free) to professional listservs and online resources, and 2) Interaction & Projects.  Please click on each link to find out the details.

I.  Required Subscriptions
II.  Interaction & Projects

Grading Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Policies

 

 

Assessment/Grading Criteria (may be adjusted based on the needs of the class and in consultation with course participants):

Interaction with the class:    47% 

  • Reading discussion & interaction:                (15%) -- 5 weeks @ 2 points per week for summaries/reactions + 1 point per week for interaction; extra credit for more than 10 summaries/reactions
  • Sharing what you learned discussion:          (15%) -- 5 weeks @ 3 points each (4 comments per week)
  • Moderating a discussion:                            (12%) -- 3 turns required @ 4 points each
  • Interactive Tasks/Peer Reviews:                    (5%) -- 2 tasks @ 2.5 points each

Hands-on projects:               23%

  • Newsletter in Word:                                   (5%)

  • CALL Lesson in PowerPoint:                      (8%)

  • Web authored quiz/exercise:                      (5%)

  • Web authored rubric/interactive Web forum: (5%)

Collaborative Web site Review: (10%) -- 10 points

Web Space Project (Tripod Web site, Wiki, Blog, or Podcast):                (20%) -- 20 points
______________________________________________________________________
TOTAL:                                               100% -- 100 points

Grading Scale

Grade
Equivalent
Numerical
Equivalent
Qualitative Equivalent
Qualitative
Points
A
96-100
Above average grad.-level work
4.0
A-
90-95
Above average grad.-level work
3.7
B+
85-89
Above average grad.-level work
3.3
B
80-84
Average grad.-level work
3.0
B-
75-79
Average grad.-level work
2.7
C
70-74
Below average grad.-level work
2.0
F
0-69
Failure
0.0
WD
 
Withdrawal
0.0

WP

  Withdrawn Passing 0.0

WF

  Withdrawn Failing

0.0

To determine the grade points for a course multiply the qualitative points for the letter grade received by the credit hours assigned to the course. To arrive at the Grade Point Average (GPA) add the grade points for all courses and then divide this sum by the number of credit hours attempted.


  • Completion of course work: In order to complete the course successfully and to enjoy the contributions of the course participants, you will need to stay in step with the course schedule and complete the assignments during the weeks that they are assigned.  This includes readings, hands-on assignments, and projects.  You can find the details above.  In fact, I will reduce the points/grade for delinquent assignments by 10% for each week late. 

  • Academic Integrity: Students must abide by the Saint Michael’s College Academic Integrity policy as outlined in the college Graduate Catalogue and the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct (p. 7-9).  According to the Academic Policies of the Graduate Catalogue ,"Violations of academic integrity include the following:  plagiarism, unauthorized assistance, interference, and multiple submission." Sanctions may include repeating the assignment with a grade reduction, failure for the assignment, a grade reduction for the course, failure for the course, or dismissal from the course.

  • Incomplete Grades--Please note the SMC criteria for assigning a grade of "I" (Incomplete).  I will adhere to them. (copied from the SMC Graduate Catalogue, 2007-2008)

The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is assigned only in the case of a student who, for illness or circumstances beyond his/her control, has missed a final examination or major assignment.  A student must gain approval from the program director and course instructor who will submit a signed form to the Registrar.  If an “I” grade is not made up within six weeks of the beginning of the semester following the assignment of the notation (not counting summer session), a “WF” grade is assigned.

  • Learning Disabilities Policy and Services for Students With Disabilities--Please note the SMC criteria for Learning Disabilities.  I will adhere to them. (copied from the SMC Graduate Catalogue, 2007-2008):

To ensure the provision of reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students having learning disabilities, students needing such accommodations must provide current and comprehensive documentation, including a copy of a psycho-educational evaluation completed within the past three years that includes a measure of cognitive functioning, a documentation of the learning problem(s), and current measures of reading, math, and written language achievement.

The Liaison for Students with Special Needs coordinates academic services for students with disabilities.  Any questions or concerns about such services should be directed to Antonia Messuri, Klein 111 (802.654.2818)

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Now you are ready to begin the course.  Check your email for instructions on how to log in to the course site in eCollege.

© 2000-2009: Christine Bauer-Ramazani, Saint Michael's College. Last updated: July 09, 2017