COURSE OUTLINE

syllabus | resources | student projects | about the instructor | student progress
724 home | matesol | sfsu

1. Course Overview
   
2. Objectives
   
3. Prerequisites
   
4. Student Responsibilities
   
5. Schedule
   
6. Instructor Availability
7. Class Communication
   
8. Student Labs
   
9. Required Textbooks
10. Grading Policy
11. Policy on Completion of Work
12. Submitting Assignments
    

1. Course Overview:

This hands-on course focuses on practical uses of computer technology in ESL/EFL teaching (Computer Assisted Language Learning -- CALL) and includes a review of the research regarding its effectiveness. Participants will investigate a variety of areas of computer instruction, such as word processing, e-mail and other Internet resources, multimedia, and software, plus netiquette, accessibility and the Digital Divide. Participants will learn how to evaluate and incorporate CALL into lessons to enhance learners’ skills.

2. Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will

• Learn about various technological applications that can be used to enhance the language education classroom
• Learn about benefits and limitations of using these technologies
• Evaluate the quality and appropriateness of these technologies for use in the language classroom
• Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of the theoretical foundation for using technology in the ESL classroom
• Demonstrate competency in a minimum of one technological application to language learning and instruction
• Lead colleagues in a lesson planned with the use of specific technological applications
• Develop a final project incorporating at least one technological application covered in the class, and providing rationale based on sound theory/pedagogy
• Create a basic webpage and publish final project as part of class website
• Be aware of online professional development opportunities and resources for ESL professionals
  

3. Prerequisites:

4. Student Responsibilities:

NOTE: You must have an email account and Internet access at home to be successful in this class.

1. Attendance: No more than 1 absence will be allowed. If possible, please notify instructor in advance if you must be absent.
   
2. Preparation of all assigned readings.
   
3. Participation in class discussions and activities.
4. Ask questions or clarify anything you don't understand in class, plus assist your classmates during and between sessions.
5. Satisfactory performance on all tasks related to the class and readings.
   
6. Completion of all assignments.
7. Completion of a final project demonstrating competence to apply the technology to curriculum and lesson activities in the language classroom.
   

Supplies: Bring documentation booklet and 3.5" floppy disks (PC-formatted, if you use PC at home) to each class session.

5. Schedule:

6. Instructor Availability/Office Hour:

*Expect a response to email or voicemail within 24 hours, M-F, unless you hear otherwise from instructor. Instructor is only on campus on Wednesday evenings. Items left in mailbox will be picked up just before office hour each week.

7. Class Communication:

Class Discussion List (e-mail)
To pose a question to the entire class (including the instructor), address an email message to: ENG_724@yahoogroups.com. Once you send this message, it will be distributed to everyone in the class, including the instructor. If responding to a classmate's posting, please make you reply to the above address, so that all in the class can benefit from your response.

Class Chat Room (web-based)
To meet with your peers or instructor in real time, outside of class time, you can use the class chat room: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ENG_724/chat/. To log your conversation, scroll back to the beginning, highlight, copy & paste into Word.

8. Student Labs:

There are several labs available for use by students of the English Department: HUM 407 (Open College of Humanities Lab - not publicized), HUM 404 (Foreign Language Lab), HUM 391 (Critical Thinking Classroom; occassionally can be used as lab). Check each location for hours available.

Other labs campus-wide are listed on the SFSU Campus Computing Labs page.

9. Required Textbooks

• Egbert, J, and Hanson-Smith, E., eds. (1999) CALL Environments: Research Practice and Critical Issues, TESOL.
  
  
• Warschauer, M., Shetzer, H., and Meloni, C. (2000). Internet for English Teaching, TESOL Publications.
  
  
• Additional readings to be assigned

Recommended texts:

• Boswood, T., ed. (1997) New Ways of Using Computers in Language Teaching, TESOL Publications.
• Castro, E. (1999) HTML 4 for the World Wide Web: Visual Quickstart Guide, 4th Edition, Peachpit Press.
• Sperling, D. (1999) Dave Sperling's Internet Activity Workbook, Prentice Hall College Division.
  
  

10. Grading Policy

This course satisfies the Group I requirement for the MATESOL degree. The course can be taken for a letter grade or credit/no credit. Read the complete MATESOL Program Grading Policy.

Assignment	Topic	Points	Weight
Journal	Reflection - Semester Overview	5	5%
Discussion Participation	In class and online	10	10%
Weekly Assignments	Apply skills & strategies learned in class & readings	20 (2 pts each)	20%
Class Observations	ESL teachers using technology	15 (5 pts each)	15%
Final Project	Student choice	50 (20 for your presentation; 5 for constructive feedback re: peer presentations; 25 for written report)	50%
Total		100	100%

 

Course letter grades will be determined as follows:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D

11. Policy on Completion of Course Work

1. All written assignments are due on the dates indicated on the course syllabus. Assignments can be turned in late ONLY BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT with the instructor. Late assignments will receive 1/2 credit and should be no more than one week late.
   
   
2. The final project CANNOT be turned in late.
   
   
3. Students may work individually or in groups of up to three. Group work should contain more depth and reflect the contributions of multiple team members.
   
   
4. The grade of INCOMPLETE will be given only in a situation of severe accident or illness, with appropriate documentation.
   

12. Submitting Assignments

Assignments and projects should be submitted according to the instructions on the assignments themselves. You will submit your assignments in one of the following ways:

1. upload to Files area of Yahoo! Groups site
2. send to instructor via e-mail attachment
3. bring to class on 3.5" floppy disk
4. publish on the Web