L. Cuesta Medina and P Alvarez Ayure:n Fostering Collaboration in CALL: benefits and challenges of using virtual language resource centres

The presentation discusses a research action pilot project based on a group of 16 teachers on an MA degree in language teaching in Colombia. The creation of virtual language resource centres (VLRC) is a step towards addressing the lack of both printed and digital resources available to the language learner and teacher. Factors taken into account in setting up the VLRCs the matching of the new digital resources to the needs and levels of the students. Amongst the design principles taken into considerations for the creation of the 9 VLRCs were learner centred approach, (which involved training the teachers in giving learning strategy training, LMS and web 2.0 training in order to operate in the new learning environment on their own); distance and online learning instruction as assets to facilitate lifelong learning (Paquette 2000),; contribute to the creation of a sense of a community; constructivist pedagogy. The pilot project saw collaboration between students of different schools in the same city, as well as between students in different parts of the country. The second level of collaboration took place between teachers in different parts of the country, working together to create the VLRCs. The project outcomes highlighted the potential of VLRCs in the process of bridging the digital divide. They further encouraged learner autonomy, facilitated access and use of web 2 tools as well as providing a customised learner experience. However, it also stressed the continued need for staff and student training on the creation/use of VLRCs.

M Hauck and M Kurek: A framework for multiliteracy training in the context of technology enhanced language training

M Hauck and M Kurek on the lack of learners' critical and evaluative skills in regard to online content, and opinion-generating online content and the need for fresh task design to take account of this. The starting point is informed reception at cognitive level, discourse, social and operational level via thoughtful participation through to creative contribution.

Helm: a blip in the landscape: current issues in the design, sustainability and impact of telecollaboration

Francesca Helm on the potential of telecollaboration for the development of not only language skills, but crucially also intercultural experience and 21st century skills. There is a need to move out of CALL and take the telecollaboration message to other disciplines within our institutions and beyond in order to reach a far greater number of students than the relatively few that go abroad. A position paper by the INTENT project will be made available on the Eurocall site.

Ohlsen & van Engen on Different forms of feedback

Ronald Ohlsen and Jeroen van Engen attracted quite an audience to their presentation on "the different forms of feedback for writing and speaking skills in an output-oriented approach". The study in question was about a one-year course of Dutch for a special group of Chinese students of Dutch. The intensive course consisted of 560 contact hours and 570 self-study hours. To support them in showcase their learning, a mobile responsive website was created. The students were guided towards becoming autonomous learners from the beginning and to become aware of what will be expected of them during and at the end of the course. The can-do statements and the CEFR descriptors were used to outline the skill areas and levels targeted.
The assignments were designed to be as meaningful as possible, and both written and spoken language were supported throughout the course. Emphasis was put on learning to give and receive feedback, which may not be a typical activity in the students' home university in China.

The website that was used to showcase the digital artifacts, was created in Drupal (http://www.drupal.org), a opensource CMS. The website was extended with various modules (Media, Soundcloud, Voting, Workbench) to design a workflow management system. The website can be found on http://chinesestudenten.webhosting.rug.nl/ and/or you can e-mail us for more information: (Jeroen) j.van.engen@rug.nl / (Ronald) r.w.h.ohlsen@rug.nl.

Graham Davies Keynote: Carol A. Chappell: Arguments for Technology and Language Learning A talk on evaluation as argument. A brief literature review on evaluation, followed by the outlining of 5 types of arguments used to support claims in our area of research: comparisons, authenticity, language, theory and pedagogy Comparisons, authenticity (with reference to literacy), language (DDL), theory and pedagogy. Chappell discusses challenges associated with each type of argument, and points to the need for examining assumptions made implicitly in the arguments/claims we use.

Sauro&Sundmark on fanfiction

Shannon Sauro walks us through an exploration of what fanfiction is about and how to integrate fanfiction (blogs) into the actual classroom context. The context is secondary school and the learners are first year students of teacher education. Exciting work and the authors are more than eager to share their experiences with anyone who is planning using similar methods in their teaching.

Pictures from the conference

All pictures from the conference can be found at: https://www.eurocall2014.nl/?page_id=1508

PS.
You will notice the red conference bags in some of the pictures...they are simply awesome! The story behind them is that they are a part of the University of Groningen's 400 year celebrations "For Infinity". Read more at http://www.rug400.nl/en/theme-infinity-0

Welcome to Eurocall 2014

Excellent start to the conference - the welcome reception in the Academiegebouw at the University of Groningen, this year's beautiful conference venue.

The Opening Ceremony and the Graham Davies Keynote by Carol A. Chapelle - streaming available

The conference proper is about to start. Do join us for the opening ceremony followed by the first plenary presentation by Carol A. Chapelle. Live chat during the streamings will be done on Twitter at #Eurocall2014.


Click here for the live streaming. Or here: ow.ly/Aw4SR  if the link doesn't work.

                                                         Enjoy!

Welcome to Groningen 2014!

Welcome to Eurocall Groningen 2014!