About the Project
The Partnership in Global Learning (PGL) and the Transnational and Global Studies Center (TGSC) at the University of Florida comissioned the development of this series of modules to improve online foreign language teaching and learning. The modules were developed by the Center for Technology and Training at the University of Florida. The modules are intended to be used either for independent learning or as a more structured training activity for on campus or off campus instructors.
Four modules have been developed to date:
- Technology and Task Design
- Evaluating Activities
- Computer Mediated Communication - Synchronous
- Computer Mediated Communication - Asynchronous
Of course, with every year there are more technological tools available to teachers and more varied ways in which we can use them. However, these particular topics have been chosen as our first modules because we believe they represent the basic essential components of what every teacher needs to know before setting out to incorporate technology into the classroom. Of utmost importance is learning how to design pedagogically sound tasks and how to evaluate activities based on our goals and priorities. We have chosen to focus the other two modules on computer-mediated communication (CMC) because of its prominence in today's society as well as its potentially enormous benefit in language classrooms – after all, connecting students with other speakers of the foreign language is of great benefit.
To learn more details about these modules, please feel free to explore our site. If you would like to begin a module, click on the "View the Modules" menu item and make your choice from the index provided. Welcome and enjoy!