Standout articles in this edition include: "Language Learning Spaces: Self-Access in Action"; "Learning Space-Based Initiatives for Developing Learner Autonomy"; "Autonomous Language Learning In Self-Access Spaces"; "Considerations in Developing a Peer Mentoring Programme for a Self-Access Centre" and "Balancing Competing Needs among Stakeholders: Lessons from the Self-access Language Learning Centre". Click here to read.
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A new Digital Media Course has just been launched for the academic year by the Higher Colleges of Technology. The fully online course teaches students how to create content in a variety of forms, making use of language, images, sound, and new digital tools and technologies. The course has been designed to be useful, practical and enjoyable with each module organized with a presentation, a task or activity and a quiz to demonstrate mastery. A digital certificate is awarded for every module successfully completed. To use this course with your students, please contact and member of the project team: Peter Waters, Stephen Visagie, Louise Sikkens or Debra Crary . Alternately, go to http://digitalmediaskills.weebly.com/ for further details. This is a special issue on Dialogue and Advising in Self-Access Learning. A couple of standout articles include “Peer Tutoring in Japan”, “Movement towards Social Learning Spaces” and “The Self-Access Area Becomes the Language Zone” Click here to read
We have an opening for a new ILC Coordinator position at Ras al-Khaimah. Click here for details.
More information about the ILCs at HCT can be found on our website As well as a keynote from Jon Bergmann, the originator of the flipped classroom there's also another chance to see my popular session on "Creating websites and ePortfolios in minutes on your iPad for free session" on Sunday 5th April 2015 at Dubai's Men's College. During the 45 minute session I will be introducing the new Weebly iPad App that allows users to edit and add content on the go and is perfect for creating classroom websites, student ePortfolios and websites for assigned projects.
I will also be demonstrating just how easy it is to create websites that look great and are easy to navigate using Weebly's superb collection of site templates and themes. And also show how to drag and drop different elements into your template such as pictures, videos, documents, maps and photo galleries. Session times are 1 to 1.45pm and repeated at 2-2.45pm. More details about the conference can be found on the Conference website. Don't miss Peter Waters presenting the new Weebly iPad App to create teacher websites and student ePortfolios at HCT's mFestival at Dubai Men's College on Thursday 8th January 2015. His 45-minute session starts at 10.45am and is repeated again at 2.40pm. In total, there are 55 sessions on offer and organisers are expecting over 1000 plus delegates to attend. More information available at the conference website.
This course, written by HCT's Sarah Whittaker is for anyone who has a limited knowledge of using an iPad and needs to use it in a school or work setting. We will review some of the basic features of the iPad, as well as how to keep your information secure and organized. After completing this course, you should have a basic understanding of the main features of the iPad and you will be ready to explore new apps and ways to integrate the iPad into your teaching practice. Tap here to open Special Issue on Directions in Self-Access Learning including articles on "Beliefs about the Roles and Purposes of Self-Access Centres"; "Supporting a Physical Self-Access Centre with a Virtual Presence"; "Considering Peer Support for Self-access Learning"; "Piloting and Evaluating a Redesigned Self-Directed Learning Curriculum" and "Using CBT with Anxious Language Learners: The Potential Role of the Learning Advisor". Click here to read Peter Waters, Manager of Applied Learning at HCT and Alan Pollock, ILC Coordinator at HCT will be presenting at the 2nd HCT-Dubai Mobile Learning Conference on 10th April 2014 at Dubai Men's College. The title of their 45-minute presentation is "Independent Learning Centres expanding digital literacy across the curriculum" which provide students with confidence in using digital tools to create and collaborate, and teaches them how to safely navigate their way in cyberspace. Participants will learn about the design and early development of this digital literacy course and learn both the pitfalls in the original plans, and the elements we believe that have led to the current successful implementation including awarding badges for completing each of the 16 modules and a certificate. Further details and registration available at the conference website http://ctldubai.com/lbd/ This free useful ebook has been created by the Teq PD team to help expand teachers’ knowledge of a variety of assessment tools available. Teq says "Assessing students and monitoring comprehension is often a difficult and time consuming task. Digital tools can help teachers enhance their methods of assessment and expand the possibilities from using traditional paper and pen testing. There are a variety of web-based and digital tools that can aid in creating and differentiating testing materials. These programs allow for distribution and data collection that can help simplify grading practices. Many of these tools provide reports to help teachers not only assess understanding formally and informally, but also to determine the effectiveness of testing materials." Click here to download |