Learning to share and sharing to learn – professionaldevelopment of language teachers in HE to foster open educational practices

This case study presents the staff-development perspective of the ‘Collaborative Writing and Peer Review Project’ developed at the Department of Languages, at the Open University, UK, between November 2011 and March 2012. The project was set up to promote the professional development of teachers through collaborative writing and peer review, encouraging open educational practices (OEP) and by extension the production and publication of teaching resources in an open repository. As teacher developers working in a blended environment, the authors facilitate opportunities for sharing and developing good practice as part of a broad staff development programme to help teachers understand and integrate innovative approaches into their practice. Participants in this project brought with them a range of experiences as practitioners from their work with language students both at and outside the University. This case study focuses on the professional development aspect of this initiative. It presents the different aspects of the process and analyses teachers’ involvement with social online tools and the impact on teaching practice of engaging with the process of collaboration

A randomised control study about the effects of different assessment registration encouragements

Despite their potential to robustly evaluate the effects of educational interventions, Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) in education, particularly in assessment and evaluation in blended or distance learning studies, are scarce. This proposal reports the implementation of a RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-scale intervention (i.e., motivational encouragement) which aimed to improve students' attendance of final exam, completion and pass rates in four online language courses. Results revealed that the specific intervention was not adequate to improve students' performance and attendance. More studies are needed to identify the types of interventions that would elicit positive learning outcomes. To assist practitioners with the implementation of RCTs in education, a learning analytics framework (Analytics4Action Evaluation Framework) is described

Language Teachers and Their Trajectories Across Technology-Enhanced Language Teaching: Needs and Beliefs of ESL/EFL Teachers

In this article, we present the initial results of the first phase of our international Research Network, which sets out to revisit the current needs of language teachers in terms of training to achieve the integration of technology within their educational contexts. We focus on the type of needs and their order of priority from the viewpoint of English as a Second/Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) teachers and suggest some recommendations for training programs. These data, collected via an online questionnaire distributed in several countries, were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively in relation to participants’ perceptions of needs regarding language education technology, as well as participants’ perceptions of the “ideal” teacher, and their relation to the use of technology. Results indicate that despite overall satisfaction regarding training received, many teachers mention their need for a post-training follow-up. They also express interest in developing “learning task design” skills and in exploring course management platforms such as Moodle. Furthermore, while most participants fully or partially agree with the relationship between technology and excellence in language teaching, their definition of the “ideal” language teacher rarely includes the use of technology. A shift in “ideal” teacher beliefs seems, therefore, necessary for better adoption and use of technology in language education

Online teacher development: collaborating in a virtual learning environment

Over recent years educational institutions have been making increasing use of virtual environments to set up collaborative activities for learners. While it is recognized that teachers play an important role in facilitating learner collaboration online they may not have the necessary skills to do so successfully. Thus, a small scale professional development programme was set up and piloted by two distance universities. The aims were to develop teachers’ experience of online group work; to trial a set of pilot activities which would raise awareness of factors contributing to successful collaborative online activity; and to identify professional development needs in this area. This article reports on the hands-on experience of a group of 20 teachers, examines some of the competences that are needed to successfully collaborate in virtual environments, and presents the skills that teachers need to foster online collaborative learning in the virtual classroom. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected, examining the levels of participation among participants, the collaborative activity of two groups, and teacher perception of the collaboration which took place. The skills identified include planning and managing the collaboration, designing appropriate activities, giving clear instructions and getting students to negotiate ground rules for participation, moderating at the right level, and choosing the right environment and the appropriate tool(s). While this study was carried out with language teachers, many of the findings are applicable to other subject areas where growing emphasis is placed on the development of collaborative skills

Ready, steady, speak-online: student training in the use of an online synchronous conferencing tool

With the increase of online language teaching teachers’ training needs have long been established and researched. However the training needs of students have not yet been fully acknowledged. This paper focuses on learner training as preparation for language classes where online synchronous conferencing is used. It presents an action research cycle consisting of planning and conducting training sessions, analysing evaluative feedback, reflecting on changing needs, re-designing the provision and re-iterating the sessions. The research focuses on three iterations of the learner training conducted over a 21-month period, drawing on almost 500 completed student feedback responses. The findings show that students considered the training sessions helpful in establishing how online language classes operate and gaining confidence to participate actively. Specifically they benefited from using their L1 to practise techniques for projecting their social presence in an online communicative situation, where they needed to compensate for the absence of non-verbal communication standard in face-to-face encounters. As for their teachers, the research demonstrated a need for them to reflect on the terminology they use to explain computer mediated communication (CMC) tools. It also indicated the feasibility of modifying the functionality of the tools. The article concludes with good-practice recommendations for the provision of learner training in online language classrooms

Teacher development for blended contexts

About the book: Written for those teaching languages to adults in blended contexts in higher, further, and adult education, where a mix of delivery modes and tools may be in use, this edited volume offers a comprehensive overview of the key issues faced. The developmental issues that may arise for teachers themselves and for those responsible for their professional development are discussed. The contributors examine the impact of different learning environments (online, face-to-face, telephone) on pedagogic practice and language learner support and recognise the particular socio-cultural, psycho-linguistic and cognitive issues that have to be taken into account when working with diverse adult language learners in blended settings. Research underpins the chapters to better inform and develop good practice. The editors and contributors have all worked on the production and teaching presentations of Open University courses in French, German, Spanish, Welsh, Italian, Chinese and English. Many of them have also been responsible for the professional development of teaching teams working in varied blended models. The contributors draw on pioneering and innovative work carried out in the fifteen years since the inception of language courses at the Open University, where blended models have been modified and become more complex over the years. The ideas they present are well-formed and tested and have been approached reflectively. Language teachers, particularly those who teach adult learners at all levels, will find the book of immense value in enhancing their professional perspective, in assisting the development of their own teaching practice, and in enabling them to make useful links between research and practice

Practical approaches for teacher development

About the book: Written for those teaching languages to adults in blended contexts in higher, further, and adult education, where a mix of delivery modes and tools may be in use, this edited volume offers a comprehensive overview of the key issues faced. The developmental issues that may arise for teachers themselves and for those responsible for their professional development are discussed. The contributors examine the impact of different learning environments (online, face-to-face, telephone) on pedagogic practice and language learner support and recognise the particular socio-cultural, psycho-linguistic and cognitive issues that have to be taken into account when working with diverse adult language learners in blended settings. Research underpins the chapters to better inform and develop good practice. The editors and contributors have all worked on the production and teaching presentations of Open University courses in French, German, Spanish, Welsh, Italian, Chinese and English. Many of them have also been responsible for the professional development of teaching teams working in varied blended models. The contributors draw on pioneering and innovative work carried out in the fifteen years since the inception of language courses at the Open University, where blended models have been modified and become more complex over the years. The ideas they present are well-formed and tested and have been approached reflectively. Language teachers, particularly those who teach adult learners at all levels, will find the book of immense value in enhancing their professional perspective, in assisting the development of their own teaching practice, and in enabling them to make useful links between research and practice

Implementing Randomised Control Trials in Open and Distance Learning: A Feasibility Study

Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) are an evidence-based research approach which has not yet been adopted and widely used in open and distance education to inform educational policy and practice. Despite the challenges entailed in their application, RCTs hold the power to robustly evaluate the effects of educational interventions in distance learning and conclude on whether (or not) these interventions should be adopted and used extensively. The aim of this paper is to spark discussions around the use of RCTs in distance learning by illustrating their benefits and drawbacks including challenges in adopting RCTs in education. To achieve this aim, a RCT was implemented to examine whether a small-scale intervention in four language modules could improve attendance at an end-of-module speaking assessment, and in consequence, performance, completion and pass rates. Results raise the need for further research in order to identify what type of interventions should be designed and put into practice to elicit a positive impact on learners. The paper concludes with a discussion on why RCTs should be brought to the forefront as a viable method for the effective evaluation of the impact of open learning analytic interventions

Modern languages and specific learning difficulties (SpLD): implications of teaching adult learners with dyslexia in distance learning

In modern language (ML) distance learning programmes, teachers and students use online tools to facilitate, reinforce and support independent learning. This makes it essential for teachers to develop pedagogical expertise in using online communication tools to perform their role. Teachers frequently raise questions of how best to support the needs of their diverse groups of adult language learners. This is particularly relevant in the case of modern language students with learning difficulties, including dyslexia, whose previous experiences of language learning can sometimes be negative and frustrating. This case study relates to a staff development project which took place between December 2012 and June 2013 at the Department of Languages in the Open University, UK, and involved 12 ML teachers across a range of languages and levels. In the Dyslexia and Modern Language Learning project, teachers worked and learnt together to: (1) develop understanding of key issues in relation to ML learning and dyslexia, (2) share good practice and experiences through reflection and collaboration, (3) find effective methods and strategies to support adult ML learners with dyslexia and (4) facilitate the joint design of learning resources for the online environment. The study presents the findings and the outcomes of the project, including the set of teaching and learning resources produced by the teachers as well as their recommendations on good practice. It also discusses the impact of the project on developing ML teachers’ attitudes and practices when supporting adult students with dyslexia