This week’s asynchronous class readings and videos were incredibly informative and motivational. We were particularly impressed by the flow of the videos and the positivity they instilled regarding teaching online and moving forward with our course prototype. Michael Wesch’s videos were especially enlightening, sparking so much excitement that we ended up watching 2-3 more on his YouTube channel. Anchal and I have been wondering how to implement these strategies in our teaching program, especially considering the shyness often observed among immigrant populations. We found the introductory part of Wesch’s videos particularly insightful, where he emphasized the importance of introducing oneself genuinely. We also resonated with the motivational quote, “Everybody worships; the only choice we get is what to worship.” We aim to create a nurturing community for refugee immigrants, providing them with a supportive environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their challenges. After watching all the videos and going through the topics in the weekly plans, Anchal and I believe that creating introductory videos aligns with the first step of our course. We aim to help refugees feel comfortable introducing themselves and speaking in front of others. While recording a video, they can proceed at their own pace, allowing for multiple takes and adjustments to make it perfect.
For the formative assessment, we will use Zigsaw, which we got to know through 6 Strategies for Building Community in Online Courses earlier we were using Zoom . In breakout rooms, students will be engaging in one-on-one interactions. Our goal is to encourage them to speak, so for sentence formation, we will assign them daily routine-based topics, and they will submit them in the Google Forum. Adding to this, we are also planning to share recorded videos of speaking conversations so that they can watch them at their convenience and try to speak. Throughout the speaking sessions in breakout rooms, they will get feedback from their peers as well as from the instructor that will be instant. For summative assessment, reading comprehension, and essay writing submission, Google Forums will be used. Topics that are routine-based are assigned so that they can feel their learning is productive and applicable to their daily lives. Instant feedback encourages them to do more and learn new things, enhancing their knowledge
In short, the assessment will be based on Google Forums, and, frankly speaking, this is not an academic course where pass or fail matters. It is a course designed to help those in need, enabling them to build a brighter future in a new country. Participants will be judged based on their performance. If somebody is performing well, we will promote them; if not, we will try to modify our teaching approach so that they can learn. Through this interactive approach, not only students but also we will enhance our teaching skills, acknowledging that we are always in the process of learning and can never be perfect.
You have a great strategy! I agree, it will be helpful to have genuine introductory videos of yourselves to help put the students at ease. I’m sure language classes can be intimidating at first. Videos relating to real-life situations will also be very useful. I’m learning Arabic on Duolingo, and what I’m learning honestly isn’t relevant to my daily life. I’m learning how to say that my garage is beautiful and engineers are weird!? I still don’t know how to introduce myself to someone, pay for groceries, or order food in a restaurant. I like your strategy much better. 🙂
Thankyou so much Lauren for your reply. As learning is a never ending process but learning a new knowledge is a totally different. You have to start from scratch but kudos to you that you are learning. I have learnt many new things from your experience in this online blending program 😊😊 Thankyou!