Integrating Web-based Blackboard™ into ESL Discussion

and Writing Activities

Presenter: Professor Lyra Riabov Southern New Hampshire University

Presentation at the Internet Fair2006 CALL Interest Section Special Events

The 40th Annual Convention TESOL 2006: Daring to LeadMarch 15-March 18, 2006

Tampa, Florida, USA

E-mail: l.riabov@snhu.edu; Web: http://acadweb.snhu.edu/riabov_lyra/

Presentation Discussion

What is Web-based Blackboard™? What features of the Blackboard™ do I use in

my ESL class and why? Review selected assignments and activities What are the gains for students and the

instructor? Recommendations

What is Web-based Blackboard™ ?

• SNHU Blackboard• Education Environment• Online course delivery system• Educate • Innovate• Everywhere

Announcements: Instructor posts daily or weekly announcements here.

Faculty: Information about the instructor

Syllabus: Outline of the course: Syllabus and Weekly Assignments

Discussion Board: It consists of Topic Discussion Forums for students, reflections, reactions and comments to the reading material, peers’ comments and instructor’s suggestions. Students can use a limited Text Box or attach any file in MS Word, PowerPoint, and pictures to support their arguments.

External Links: Connection to the instructor’s web site and other Internet resources

Course Documents is a place to post course materials for students

Assignments: Day by day homework and class assignments

Communication: Additional way to check out Announcements, get to the Discussion Board, Roster of the class and Send E-mail section. The last section is very important as this is the students’ way to ask questions and express concerns, request help with the course content or sent an e-mail to their classmates when they are outside the class.

Tools: Students’ Digital Drop Box is a convenient way for confidential communication with the instructor or classmates. This is the place to submit papers or presentations for grading and the instructor’s comments.

SNHU Library: Access to the SNHU Library online

What features of the Blackboard™ do I use in my ESL class and why?

Assignments and Activities

• Syllabus• Homework• Connection to the Internet and

Library resources• Discussion Forums• Written and oral discussions• Process writing• Drafts and peer comments• Grading and MS Word

comments feature

What do students gain?

• Motivation and fun• Constant peer communication• Competition and motivation to

do better the assignments• Exchange of arguments• Learn to discuss• More time to review their

written input• Visualize their writing problems

and better address them• Peer Evaluation• Motivation for rewriting drafts

• Easy access from everywhere• Fast e-feedback• Paperless class• No printing• Online dictionary and

resources are at your finger tip• Constant communication with

the instructor• Convenient e-folders of the

drafts and discussion postings• Preparation for the college

technology supported learning

Participation in the Discussion Forums

Q1: increased the volume of my writing;Q2: helped me to learn how to express my point of view and support it with examples;Q3: helped me to learn how to express my point of view and support it with examples;Q4: helped me to learn to edit my writing.

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Communication Advantages

Q5: I learned from my classmates writing;

Q6: Using BB and E-mail Improved communication between the peers and the instructor;

Q9: I liked to read my classmates postings and compete with them for higher quality of my postings;

Q13: Instructor’s e-comments helped me to edit my drafts and postings

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Assignments and Grading

Q7: Assignments section was very useful;Q8: Using BB I was motivated to do assignments on time;Q11: It was convenient not to print papers;Q12: Grading was confidential and easy to access to.

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Blackboard Usage Advantages

Q10: Blackboard provided me with an easy access to my files, e-mail, class materials and external links from everywhere on campus and at home;

Q14: It was not difficult to use the Blackboard;

Q15: Learning and using the Blackboard prepared me well for my future studies in college.

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What do instructors gain?

• Increased volume of students’ writing

• Focus on academic language

• Active student participation regardless of the student learning styles

• Motivation and competitiveness

• Peers’ active involvement in the learning process

• Everybody participate in the discussions

• Increased sense of the students’ responsibility for the completion of the assignments on time

• E-portfolio

• Fast and easy feedback

• Convenient organization of assignments, grades and materials

• Availability of the instructor outside the classroom

Recommendations

• In a traditional ESL class use only selected features of the Blackboard

• Don’t overuse it

• Make Blackboard features user friendly: simple and clear

• Avoid chats and chat language in the Discussion Forums

• Developing daily activities: create a habit of writing every day

• Be prepared to spend more time working on assignments, e-feedback and communication with your students