This presentation is about a very brief history of Language Laboratory, some handy tips about its installation and some important ideas to convert it into Self Access Centers.
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: The Basics of Prompt Design"
Digital Language Lab - Self Access Center
1. ‘Fourth International and 40th Annual
ELTAI Conference’
Date: 7-9 August 2009
Venue: J.B.A.S. College for Women, Chennai
Theme: "Managing Mixed-Ability Classes“
Presenters:
Kalyan Chattopadhyay (West Bengal)
Dilip Barad (Gujarat)
Language Laboratory: A Platform
to Synergise Various Web 2.0 Tools
2. Long Days Journey: Language
Lab to Digital Language Lab
How to establish a language
lab? A Checklist
How to conduct sessions in
language lab?
DLL as SAC
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3. Definition of DLL:
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“A network of computers along with appropriate
software which provides most of the functions of
a conventional language lab together with
integration of video, word processor and other
computer application.”
www.languages-ict.org.uk
Before DLL evolved to this definition, it passed
through these stages…
4. 1877: Edison‟s invention of tin foil phonograph
1920s: Radio – foreign language instruction
1950s: Tape recorders – learning linguistic
units–mastered through mechanical process of
repetitive drills
Keating, Lorge, Hutchinson – study on the merits
of audio-lingual skills).
1970s: Rejection of LLs – language acquisition
theories changed towards
‘communicative fluency’ rather than
‘linguistic accuracy’
1980s: Revival period began – digital
technologies aided linguistic learning
theories - DLL
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5. Long Days Journey:
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e-naissance: Period of last score and a half
1980s: OHP, VCP/R – progressive teaching
tool to DLLs: 2000s
Along with changes in tools comes the
challenges of learning how to integrate new
technology into our teaching methods
7. Room Space: 36x20
Electrification: Professional Electrician/UPS
LAN: Cat 6 cable & switch port
Furniture: Space to keep note-book on desk –
drawer/monitor position
Layout: Cubicles in circular‟E‟, „O‟, „C‟ or „U‟
Shape
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8. Hardware: Processor2.5 GHz, RAM 1
GB, Graphic card, Sound card, DVD drive, USB
ports, LAN
card, Webcam, Speakers, Headphones
Software:
Surveying the availability of DLL programmes
Asking for demo
Short-listing a few
Making final selection keeping in mind the
requirements of the students and the competency
level of the instructors
Space to add additional resources…
LCD projector and Projection Screen
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9. Instructor / computer assistant must
„see‟ the installation
Check where source & back up files are
saved in server PC
Learn how to install student console
from server back up files
Learn to protect & restore passwords
Practice operating teacher/student
console
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10. Training of the faculty or instructors
Competency Assessment
Skill Assessment
Workshop on Pedagogy
Workshop on Methodology
Workshop on e-Skills
Training of the students in handling the language
lab
Training of the senior student by faculty
Peer training
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11. Forming groups of material developers
Assessing materials available with the DLL
programme
Developing materials with a view to:
Proficiency level of the learners
Learning styles of the learners
Multiple intelligences of the learners
Learning requirements of the learners
Pilot study of the materials
Testing of the materials
Taking feedback of the learners and the peers
Ascertaining their validity and reliability
Making changes, if necessary
Support study resources - either in form of book or
e-books . . .
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12. Regular check up by technicians of the
hardware and software
Cleaning: dust & water proof
Regular Stock verification of materials being
used
Replacing damaged or ineffective
components of hardware and software
Regular virus update and scanning
Regular maintenance of the server
Regular back up of students’ file
Voltage stabilizers / UPS / ACs
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13. Lesson planning
Selecting resource material
Assigning resource material to students
Scheduling Groups
Checking their activities and progress
Providing feedback, if necessary
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19. Writing and Speaking: Chatting:
voice and text with instructor and
peer group
Pronunciation: Phonetics: Analyze
waves
Listening and Speaking: Role play
Speaking and listening: Ghost story
Murder in the lab
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20. What is a Self-Access Centre (SAC)?
A centre which enables learning to take place
independently of teaching and which offers
students the scope to choose and use materials
on their own, and the materials they use offer
them the flexibility to seek
correction and assessment of
their own performance.
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21. What kind of equipment and facilities, and
therefore financing, would it require?
What method/way/system of Self-access
language leaning (SALL) would be most
suitable for a particular institution/school?
Where would they need to integrate SALL?
In classroom lessons?
In project work?
In self-access centre (SAC) which would
encourage leaner autonomy inside and outside of
the classroom?
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22. A self-access centre can be set up even within a
language lab and can be created in any kind of
school/college, with materials and objectives that are
different and geared to the specific needs.
The main idea is to create a space where students
can work independently, at their own pace, with
materials that are varied, according to their needs,
preference and learning styles.
It can be created within the classroom, or in a room
specially equipped for this aim, and used during or
outside the lessons.
The centre can then be improved along the years,
adding equipment and materials according to the
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24. What are the benefits of learning through
SAC?
learn independently of teacher
learn to work at their own pace
learn in their own way
choose and use self-access material on their own
assume responsibility for and direct their own
learning
learn to help and encourage everyone to take
responsibility for learning
students may use the SAC in open-access time as
frequently as they wish
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25. Would you need or prefer to use Lontent
management System (LMS) like Moodle?
Or would you need or prefer to use Open Source
content authoring application like eXe to assist
teachers and academics in the publishing of their
content in different formats?
Would you prefer to allow your learners to interact
with PEOPLE asynchronously through
forum, blogs?
Would you prefer to allow your learners to interact
with PEOPLE in real-time through virtual
classroom, instant messaging, second life etc.?
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26. Planning a piece of work
Undertaking the work
Reviewing the success or effectiveness of
the work done
Seeking or making explanations or
theoretical explanations for the success or
otherwise of the work, leading to
guidelines on how to make the next piece
of work in some sense better.
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27. Have I identified a need to undertake the
activity?
What is the aim of the activity?
Have I selected materials of a suitable
level?
Am I using appropriate resources?
Noting unfamiliar grammar points
Noting new vocabulary
Noting whole phrases
Repeating pronunciation
Summarising audio or written text3/29/2014 3:55:49 AM27 DLL - SAC: Chattopadhyay & Barad
28. Did the activity achieve all or any of the stated
aims?
What did I gain from the activity?
Did I enjoy the activity?
Can I devise an appropriate follow-up activity?
Did I try to achieve too much/ too little in the time
available?
Was the proportion of time devoted to different
activities right?
Were the chosen materials appropriate to the
aims of the task?
Would I do the same activity again?
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29. Providing Information guides
What hours is the Open Access Centre open?
When is the Language Support Officer
available?
How many rooms does the Open Access
Centre have?
What help can the Language Support Officer
offer?
Can students borrow materials to take home?
Face to face induction sessions with a
learning advisor/ tutor
Providing Interactive induction materials
Portfolio building 3/29/2014 3:55:49 AM29 DLL - SAC: Chattopadhyay & Barad
30. How do we rate the success and efficiency of
SAC in different institutions?
What are the important factors for the successful
transition of DLL to SAC or successful
implementation of SAC?
Now what do you think are the advantages of
having a self-access centre for EFL teaching at
your institution?
What do you think are the disadvantages of
having a self-access centre for EFL teaching at
your institution?
What role would you finally identify for yourself for3/29/2014 3:55:49 AM30 DLL - SAC: Chattopadhyay & Barad