This document describes an online learning environment called ELN Online Classrooms that was designed for teaching foreign languages in real time. It was created by Anastasia Andros for her MA in Educational Technology and TESOL. The environment includes synchronous small group classrooms for discussions, debates, and auctions. It separates functions into a learning management system for administration, a learning content management system for lessons and activities, and a learning object database for storing materials. The goal is to understand student and teacher perceptions of synchronous small group work and create a virtual learning environment suited to foreign language instruction.

1. ELN Online Classrooms
where methodology meets technology
designed by teachers & learners
WHERE?
www.study-english-online.net
WHY?
MA Educational Technology and TESOL (DEC 2012)
University of Manchester
Research Questions
●What are EFL/ESL student and teacher perceptions of synchronous small group work?
●What facilitates and what constrains synchronous small group work as perceived by group
participants?
Expected Outcome
A Virtual Learning Environment ideally suited to teaching foreign languages in real time

2. ELN Online Classrooms
an LMS vs an LCMS vs a LO DB
LO DB - a Learning Object
Database - TASKS
(materials)
LMS - a learning
management system
administrative issues
* schedule
* course and lesson overviews
* attendance
* notes of absence
* course drop/change requests
* lesson summaries
* homework
* payment collection
LCMS - a learning content
management system
the teaching process
* classrooms
* materials aka TASKS
* all class vs pair work &
group work activities
* immediate vs delayed
feedback

3. ELN Online Classrooms
real-time small group lessons (voiP)
discussion debate auction
essay correction

4. ELN Online Classrooms
that's a
discussion
classroom -
participants
are
encouraged to
voice and
justify their
opinions on a
range of
topics

5. ELN Online Classrooms
that's a
debate
classroom -
teams can
argue their
point in an
organized
way

6. ELN Online Classrooms
that's a
grammar and
vocabulary
auction
classroom
- really
addictive and
competitive

7. ELN Online Classrooms
that's the
place where
materials
developers
input learning
objects aka
tasks into the
learning
object
database

8. ELN Online Classrooms
that's the
design of the
front page of
the schedule
and
discussion,
debate and
auction
classroom
module

9. ELN Online Classrooms
that's Coffee
Shop - the
place where
learners can
book
"tables" -
enter
discussion
classrooms

10. ELN Online Classrooms
http://www.study-english-online.net (speaking)
http://writing.study-english-online.net (writing)
www.englishlab.net (main ELN)
EU Reg 11713192
anastasia.andros@gmail.com
+372 5106217