Setting up Self Access through eLearning

Setting up Self Access for Students through eLearning
eLearning is here and now. It is more than a tool to expand learning opportunities, it is more than a big selling point for language courses, it is more than just a way to expand social networks, it is all the above and more. However, it is also a daunting and multidisciplinary field which is now approaching a vital stage in its implementation and development.
Are you new to eLearning? Do you know what a VLE is? Have you ever used Moodle? What could eLearning bring to your institution? How would you go about setting up an eLearning course for your learners? This talk aims to answer these valuable questions and provide a walkthrough via case studies and practical examples. The session can then be expanded online by granting participants access to a virtual learning environment where they can gain hands on experience.

This talk is aimed at people who are interested in setting up a Self Access Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for their school or students. The session will first address some FAQs about exactly what to expect from an eLearning site for language practice; how much it costs, how to get started and what exactly it involves. In the second session, a more practical approach is taken, and delegates will be shown how easy it is to create and edit a quiz, mark a student’s assignment and even create a course within a live Moodle site. Following the practical demonstration, there will be a more general discussion as to what constitutes a good design for Computer Aided Language Learning tools in a Virtual Learning Environment. We will also discuss how to structure the key components of an online quiz or lesson based on current pedagogical theory. This will look at how to make these materials interactive, motivating and task-based. In addition, we will also consider the implications for online tests and how to compose an internet-based test which could be used for placement purposes or evaluation before or after a student leaves the institution.