Slides from Dr. Melissa Fiori's "Teaching in High Definition" presentation for NITLE Shared Academics, June 19, 2013.

1. Virtual Language Learning
Program @ Daemen College
Pilot Project 2012-2013

2.  The VLLP welcomes the potential to connect
Daemen students with learners of other institutions
on a national or international level, and opens the
doors to an education which prepares students to
embark on their post-graduate experience in an
increasingly complex world.
 Its purpose is resource sharing. The idea is to
connect scholars and learners in real time through
one-to-one and/or through one-to-many scenarios
through high-definition digital connections from
anywhere in the world.

3. Scholar
@ University
@ office
Student Body
on Campus
 In a 1-1 scenario
Daemen students (in
upstate NY) will take a
course with an expert
in the field of study
(located anywhere).

4. Scholar
@
University
College
1
College
3
College
4
College
2
 In the 1-many
scenario one scholar
(university) will teach
a course populated by
students at multiple
colleges.

5.  LifeSize
• LifeSize uses high definition video architecture that
allows users to connect to one another remotely.
Users connect via tele-presence through high
definition screens in real time. Students meet in the
classroom where the videoconferencing equipment is
set up.
 Adobe Connect
• is a web conferencing system that supports real time
chat-based (text based) discussion, document sharing,
white board discussions, and more.
 Blackboard
• Course management system
 Other Online Tools (workbooks, text resources)

6.  Computers: PCs, Microsoft Office Professional Plus (32-bit)
 LifeSize: Passport & Room 220
 High Definition TV sets
 Headphones
 Adobe Connect: Version 8
 Blackboard Learn version 9.1.9.0123.0
 Server Space: Blackboard, Adobe Connect
 Broadband: 1 gig connection rate through Cogent
Communications (the ISP)
 TWC 30 megs/sec download; 5 mps upload
 Dedicated Classroom

7.  FALL VLLP COURSES 2012
 SPA 240: Grammar & Culture Workshop I
 SPA 316: Spanish American Civilization & Culture
 SPA / FRE 420: Language Teaching Methods & Assessment
 LNG 415: Second Language Acquisition & Applied Linguistics
 SPRING VLLP COURSES 2013
 SPA 101: Elementary Spanish I
 SPA 250: Grammar & Culture Workshop II
 SPA 334: Special Topics in Culture
 IPP 318: Technology in Education

8. Range of courses taught in SPA and ENG
Range of levels taught in SPA and ENG
• The content and demands of each course vary
making them strong candidates for testing under
VLLP conditions and parameters

9. SPA 240
 Content based course addressing LA history,
culture, politics, etc., as well as language and
grammar.
 Daily discussion via Life Size and Connect
 Exams: iLrn & Blackboard
Homework: iLrn & Blackboard
 Projects & Presentations: Blackboard, web
 Showcase assignments = ePortfolio
 Online workbook -iLrn

10. DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENT - CENTERED
 Real-time
 Dynamic
 Students meet on Campus
 Not lecture oriented
 Dynamic interaction
 Multi-faceted: synchronous
audio, video, text streams
along side asynchronous
private and public work
 Assessed

11. Academic Computing Services
S.M.A.R.T Squad

12. “I am really enjoying the class, I think it's such a
great concept. If done on an even larger scale
I think it could really revolutionize education
standards globally. I find it extraordinary that
someone could be sitting in a third world
country but still be receiving the same
educational experience as someone in a
more developed one (provided they have an
internet connection).”

14. Create Folders for Each Course Taught in
Adobe Connect

15. Develop content for each Meeting

16. Hold Class via Adobe Connect

17. Online Workbooks
Quia / iLrn require
• activities to be activated and due dates to be set.
• Book codes and course codes

18. Blackboard
Blackboard housed
• the course documents
• Course information
 Syllabi
 Grading criteria
 Assignments
 Space for posting work

19.  Negotiation of meaning
• Productive skills: speaking and writing
• Receptive skills: listening and reading
 Collaborative and cooperative learning
 Student centered
 Equalizes participation
 Keeps students FOCUSED
 Is motivational
 Facilitates “noticing”
 Facilitates attention to form and function
 Promotes Communicative fluency
• While still honing in on form

20. Students return to lectures to review notes,
study, and re-address material
Students’ minds are occupied during class
time
Students take notes
• before class to be ready to contribute
• after class so they have thorough class notes

21. Student projects are assessed project by
project; grading criteria is posted in Bb
VLLP project – ongoing, real time
assessment over two academic semesters
• Department Meetings (impromptu, scheduled)
• CIEL Conference
• College Meetings
• Conferences

22. Mic detects quiet speakers when one
person speaks at a time
Soft voices not detected by mic during
small group discussions.
Ideal classroom set up is with mic in the
center of the room
Upload speeds of 10 mps are important