This document discusses an experience with blended e-learning and computer-mediated communication at a high school in Italy. It describes how an online course was created for second year students to supplement traditional in-classroom learning. Students engaged in asynchronous online discussions and activities. While most students found it a positive learning experience, some struggled with lack of internet access or computer skills. The teacher evaluated students' online participation and found it improved communication skills compared to traditional classes.

1. COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION AND BLENDED E-LEARNING AN EXPERIENCE AT HIGH SCHOOL Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

2. Teaching with the computer: web pages Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave Interactive exercises Traditional learning In the classroom Interactive exercises Interactive exercises Interactive exercises

3. Blended e-learning Blended e-learning Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave Virtual learning on the web Traditional learning In the classroom

4. Virtual learning on the web External resources Administration Activities Messages Online users Calendar Participants Latest news Course description Recent activities AN ONLINE COURSE Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

5. The course home page Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

6. The project Participants: Network of schools Teachers Students Objectives: Innovating teaching methodologies by means of advanced technology Sharing new materials and experiences with other schools Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

7. An online course Addressees: students in their second year at high school Organization: one of the three weekly hours in the lab Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

8. The digital divide not all students have an internet connection or even a computer some students do not feel at ease with the technology some students are not confident with the English language Students bridging the gap Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

9. learning objects Resources Labels Text pages Web pages Links to files or web pages Directories Activities Assignments Chat Choice Databases Forum Glossary Hot Potatoes Quiz Journal Lesson Quiz Survey Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

10. communication tools Asynchronous Forum E-mail Synchronous Chat Instant messaging (also asynchronous) Use of communication systems: preference for asynchronous systems Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

11. Access Editing profiles First topic: “The Musical Theatre” First activity: forum discussion The first approach Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

12. Hi!...I've seen the London Theatre Guide and I've seen a lot of very nice musicals inspired by films...such as: Billy Elliot, Doctor Doolittle (FANTASTIC!), Cabaret, Chicago (GREAT!)...and a lot of other wonderful Musicals...and of these musicals I've seen the film!...I think they are all beautiful!... the aspects I especially like are the backstage, costumes... how to write a musical, the make up of the actors...I think it's very interesting!! I agree with Mara, I think that the dances and the songs in a film are a bit boring and too unreal , but I think usually musicals' stories are interesting and moving... In the forum Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

13. Forum news : to illustrate objectives, procedures and the possible development of a learning unit Other communication systems Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

14. Chat : synchronous system preferred by the more confident students Instant messaging : quick private communication – the most used system Email : used when addressee is offline, to send attachments or to write to the whole group Other communication systems Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

15. Communication within other activities: the journal Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

16. Communication within other activities: quizzes Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

17. External resources to communicate Remote RSS feeds Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

18. What the students say: advantages I think that this experience is really interesting and useful for me! It doesn't change my method of study because I always study on my books because I think that studying on a book is better than in the computer. I think that with this experience I've learn a lot about how use a computer. And I think it's really useful talking about our interests and chat […]; we can say our ideas and opinions or know more about a topic interesting for us. And this type of exercises aren't boring and they encourage us to learn English; we can have immediately corrections and we can know what we've understood. I think that the computer and the internet are a good way to do our learning activity. But I think that the design of this site can be better. Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

19. Some disadvantages But for the people who haven't got a computer it's a problem because they can't do the exercises at home. About this learning experience I think that some topics are difficult but useful to improve my English and to learn new things. I think that the exercises are useful to study before a test because you can always see the correction, and know immediately your mistakes. But it's also a problem for the person who hasn't got the computer at home. After that, I think that my method to study isn't changed because I see this two things separated. However I think that it's an interesting thing. In my opinion this learning experience is so hard and at times complicated for people that haven't got computer at home. I use this website in particular when I prepare for tests; but I don't use this when I study because I prefer study in my books and highlight concepts. I think that this platform is more beautiful If It is more colourful with (for example) photos or images. I don't like that: it isn't facultative but with judgement because perhaps it isn't used always with cleverness and with freedom of speech and expression (obviously with civility). Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

20. The teacher’s assessment: evaluating students’ output Coherence (answer to task) amount of ideas expressed accuracy Participation/interaction Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

21. Conclusions Participation in class is hindered by : exposure to the teacher pressure to perform ridicule lack of self-confidence in interpersonal relations Achievements with e-learning : Spontaneous output Improvement of communicative skills Confident use of resources and tools Students’ creation of materials to be shared Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

22. Other positive effects Good teaching tool for mixed-ability class-group management More participation in class EFL as a real means of communication Learning how to learn Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

23. The glossary Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave

24. Bibliography Bippus, Amy M., Brooks Catherine F., “ Student Involvement in Computer-Mediated Communication: Comparing Discussion Posts in Online and Blended Learning Contexts”, The 1st International Conference on Virtual Learning, ICVL 2006, http://fmi.unibuc.ro/cniv/2006/disc/icvl/documente/pdf/met/6_bippus.pdf Calvani A, Rotta M. Comunicazione e apprendimento in Internet , Erickson, 1999 Calvani A, Rotta M. Fare formazione in Internet , Erickson, 2000 Desiderio F. Imparare le lingue online , Alphatest, 2000 Monti S. Internet per l’apprendimentodelle lingue , UTET, 2000 Norman D., Levihn U., Anders Hedenquist J. Communicative ideas, Language Teaching Publications, 1986 Roversi A. Introduzione alla comunicazione mediata dal computer , Il Mulino, 2004 Ur P. Discussions that work , Cambridge U.P., 1981 Nicoletta Cuzzolin – Liceo Classico Statale “E. Montale” San Donà di Piave