- Students enjoyed using online tools like Duolingo and Quizlet to learn vocabulary and verbs in a fun way outside of class. Using these apps helped them improve and feel more confident in their French skills.
- By exploring language independently online, it allowed the teacher to focus on more interactive activities in class like using the SmartBoard and videos. Students appreciated having class time to practice what they learned online.
- One beginner student felt they had made progress in building basic sentences and felt more comfortable speaking in French with a simple vocabulary about themselves and daily activities. While still learning, they felt confident about continuing French study.
Straight from the source - reflections inspire learning
1. Straight from the source - some
thoughts inspired by the reflections
of my students…
2. • “ It has been a challenge getting back into the language after a year but the
vocabulary and grammar have been coming back to me. I love doing new
and different styles of learning and projects together as a class.”
At the beginning many students struggle with the big picture of all the
activities and reflection that we do as we set the structure for this
blended learning approach.
Change is welcomed….
3. • “ I really liked a lot of the online stuff we got to do this term, because we
don't really do that in a lot of our other classes”
• “I progressed in many ways, such as doing Duolingo over the spring break
and after school and at class. I also downloaded the app on my IPod so I can
study my verbs anywhere. I also use the website called Quizlet and I play a
game on it called scramble and it’s a time game. I loved, and I mean loved
DuoLingo. I enjoyed always getting achievements from completing levels.
Keep Duolingo it really helps. I think Quizlet was pretty good and it did help
me learn and remember my verbs.”
• “i enjoyed how this term wasn't super structured and we could relax and
learn in a fun way.”
The students seem to enjoy the freedom of the online exploration time
and they can see how it affects their in class learning..
What did you enjoy most about
learning online?
4. • “One of my goals was to work on my oral. I think that I have improved
because when I talk to my teachers or friends in French they can understand
and so can I when they reply. I improved by trying to talk as much as I can in
French and ask Madame Summerfelt for help. I also turned on the
microphone on DuoLingo which also helped me a lot.The thing I enjoyed
most this term was learning things in a fun way. I like how Madame
Summerfelt doesn't just read everything out of the textbook and then assign
a bunch of worksheets. Instead, she would use the SmartBoard and show
videos or do a French activity with the class.The AIM program also was a
fun way to learn my vocabulary. I think for French 10, it would be really cool
if we did more things online because it's fun and easy to understand/ learn.”
At the end of the term the students have an understanding of the tools
that we use in class and why they enhance their learning.
Speak to your goals this term…
5. “ I feel better with my language skills and learning with the Aim program.The
actions really helped to guide us through sentences. I can make my own
sentences and write small paragraphs, but I’m still learning. My favorite thing
this term was the play because not only did we get to act and go off in smaller
groups to work, but I liked how I learned to translate it. Speaking, reading and
writing in French are a nice skill to have but because I don’t know which
direction I’m going in yet I want to have lots of options. I liked spending class
time in the library and going on Duolingo, the website is really fun and I like
buying new packs. It helped me a lot for building sentences and plurals. I
happy with how far I’ve come from the beginning of the course and I’m
confident I will enjoy French 10 next year!”
Have the students independently structure their own online learning of
grammar and language has allowed me to concentrate on doing a more
interactive approach in class. The students appreciate actively having an
opportunity in class to practice the language skills that they are
investigating online.
Reflection on learning in a blended
classroom
6. “This year i am finding i like French allot more than last. i think i am going to
keep learning French so that ui can go in to restronts and order in french and
totally screw up the servers. my goal this year in to build a stronger
foundation in French so next year it would be easier. when i came in to this
class the really only thing i knew was non parle francais. Now i can say je m'
appelle _______. l'habite Vernon British Columbia.j' suis bien. j' suis
canadien. j'aime pommes et oranges. j'aime manger pommes et oranges. j'ai
un chein. son nom est Harverd. il est un britishbull chein. i l'habitude d'avoir
un chat mais il coure loin. and well that was my year in french so far i could
go longer but you just said i have 60 seconds so yea ”
This student is a beginner grade 8 student who has a working
comprehension and appreciation of the French language learning
outcomes for A1. This student is comfortable speaking in a paired down
language and feels confident. There is room for improvement but the
understanding is evident.
Overall Impressions:
7. “I know I can form sentences that actually make sense now. Which is a pretty
big step, considering that before I only knew basic conversation. I'm pretty
good at understanding what someone says to me, even if I don't understand
everything. I just went along with it all. I enjoyed the part where we got to
eat food. I also enjoyed the stuff we did on the computers, I think it was a
great way to make French engaging”
…says the student who seems understands but has never read David Pink’s
concept of flow presented in “Drive”.
In the flow