Hands Across the Water:
A Conceptual and Pedagogical Framework
This proposal describes a joint English language
learning project between the 1996 Tutorial of Professor
Barry Duell (Tokyo International University,
Kawagoe, Japan) and the seminar classes of Professor
Wayne Gregory (Tokyo International University
of America, Salem, Oregon).
This project will create an interactive learning environment via the World
Wide Web, in which students will collaborate to construct an online exchange
of cultural and linguistic information vital to each other. The students
of TIU will investigate the experiences, culture and language of an American university through direct
interaction with TIUA students. In turn, the TIUA students will refine their
English language skills by taking the role of English language mentors and
providing relevant cultural and linguistic information to TIU students through
the creation of texts and interactive language learning activities, all
of which will be published on the World Wide Web and accessible to TIU students
and others. By assuming the role of language teachers, the TIUA students
will be able to focus on language learning from a different perspective,
which can increase their linguistic precision and fluency. On the other
hand, the TIU students will not be focusing on linguistic form, but will
be using language to accomplish tasks that are meaningful and relevant to
them. English becomes a necessary tool, rather than strictly an object of
study.
II. Organization - The project
will be divided into four (4) parts, explained below:
Part I - Self-Introductions (complete by the end of April,
1996)
- Description: Both TIU and TIUA students will post
pictures of themselves and self-introductions on the joint
project Web page. The TIUA students will also send feedback via email
to the TIU students regarding their (TIU studentsÕ) self-introductions,
making suggestions as to grammar and structure. Using this feedback, the
TIU students can edit and republish their introductions.
- Objective: This activity allows both sets of students
to get acquainted with each other and provides an opportunity for language
learning through feedback and peer editing.
Part II - Cultural Interviews (Complete by the end of
May,1996)
- Description: TIU students will compose and send questions
to TIUA students about life at TIUA, Willamette University, or Salem. The
TIUA students will respond to these inquiries by creating reading texts
with accompanying interactive language learning exercises that will be
posted to the project Web Page. TIU students will access the Web page and
complete the exercises, sending their answers to TIUA students for evaluation.
TIUA students, in turn, evaluate the responses and provide feedback on
the Web page or via e-mail.
- Objective: This activity will enhance language learning
by putting learners in the role of teachers. In addition, it provides authentic
and relevant text with interactive exercises and direct feedback.
Part III - Activities B (Complete by the end of June,
1996)
- Description: TIU students post pictures of TIU/Kawagoe
(or provide other new information from the TIU area) with questions for
TIUA students. TIUA students will answer these questions on the Web and
TIU students will evaluate answers and provide any necessary feedback.
In turn, TIUA students create and post reading materials on the Web to
provide appropriate background for the Fall visit of TIU students to Salem,
Willamette University and TIUA. This information will include interactive
activities which will be published on the Web and evaluated with feedback
from TIUA students.
- Objective: This activity will enhance language learning
by putting learners in the role of teachers. In addition, it provides authentic
and relevant text with interactive exercises and direct feedback.
Part IV - Travelogue (Complete during and following visit
by TIU students to TIUA in September, 1996)
- Description: Students will work together to create
a travelogue chronicling the visit of TIU students to TIUA. This information
will include reading material and interactive exercises, all of which will
be posted to the joint project Web page. TIUA students will work as mentors
with the TIU students to introduce them to the culture of Willamette, TIUA
and Salem and in the creation of the material for the Web.
III. Project Goals - This project will attempt to accomplish
the following goals:
- provide a model for collaborative courses between TIU and TIUA faculty
and students;
- provide students participating in the project the opportunity to more
fully refine their English language skills by transforming the traditional
teacher/student dichotomy and empowering students to learn through mentoring;
- explore and showcase the various ways technology, more specifically
the World Wide Web, can be used to create an interactive language learning
environment that makes possible a greater degree of international collaboration
and which provides teachers and students with powerful tools for discovery
and self-expression.
For more information, please contact:
Barry Duell
Tokyo International University
School of Business and Commerce
Kawagoe, Saitama, JAPAN
HomePage
Wayne Gregory
Tokyo International Univ. of America
Salem, Oregon
HomePage
Back to Hands Across the Water - TIU/TIUA Joint
Project Web Page
Prepared by
Wayne Gregory, TIUA
and Barry Duell, TIU
Last changed: April 25, 1996