1. Bob Palmer
PennTESOL-East Fall Conference
November 3, 2012
bpalmer@udel.edu | www.eltmoodle.com
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME:
THE EVOLUTION OF A LISTENING LAB
2. 1. Rationale for a listening lab
• Student population
• Limitations of self-access center
• Limitations of earlier approach
2. Hardware considerations, including cost, usability
3. Software considerations, including cost, appropriateness
4. Lab management, teacher roles
5. Lessons learned and future challenges
6. Discussion
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
3. THE START: A SELF-ACCESS LEARNING CENTER
More time on task = More learning
Beautiful new self-access learning center (SALC) built 2 ½ years ago
Well-staffed, well-appointed facility
Use encouraged but strictly voluntary
Appealed to self-directed learners
4. SALC & STUDENT POPULATION
• Early observations: Who was/wasn’t utilizing SALC for intended use
• Lower-level students (80 - 90% Arab) visibly absent – Not enough time on
task!
• Need for intervention to stem high retention rates while keeping SALC truly
self access
14. • Still, problems with cables.
ADDED AND CONNECTED 30 LAPTOP
COMPUTERS TO A NETWORK
Before securing cables After securing cables
15. A BETTER IDEA: CABLE MANAGEMENT
• We have since upgraded our computer tables to the style below, which
feature cable management.
• Cost: $200 each (Hertz Furniture Systems)
16. HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS
• Internet connection
• Ethernet cables (keep extras on hand) -- $4-$5 per 10-foot cable
• Ethernet junction boxes – about $5 each
• Teacher desktop PC and monitor – about $700 with large monitor
• Projection device and screen – prices vary
• Student PCs (laptops if tables are doing double duty) – recommend laptops with 15-
inch screens
• Mice ($10 each)
• Headsets with microphones (caution on cable length) - $20 - $35 each
• Power strips – inexpensive, check local Staples, Walmart, etc.
• Laptop tethering cables with locks -- $30 - $40 each (don’t overlook!)
• Screen cleaning kit -- $15
• Antibacterial wipes
17. SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS:
TWO MAIN CRITERIA
• Is the content relevant? Does it address
student needs ? Do Ss have the linguistic
competence to digest it?
• Is it interesting? (follow-up survey)
Music (LyricsTraining), video clips
(eslvideo), CDs/DVDs
19. MORE SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATIONS
• Lots of great external links on our Listening Lab website (www.eltmoodle.com)
• Balance Internet resources with installed programs (Internet outage, “lab only” incentive)
• Balance completely interactive exercises with handwritten responses
• Active Listening
• Touchstone (offers complementary website activities)
• Interchange (offers complementary website activities)
• Great Dictations (sample activity)
• Excellent English
• Lab CDs
• Interactions Access (plus e-Course cards)
20. LAB COORDINATION & MANAGEMENT
• Consult with core level instructors (know what material they are covering -- and when)
• Supplement areas where students are having trouble minimal pairs
• Decide where the lab fits in the curriculum (assessment, attendance, etc.)
• Remember: the lab can double as a testing center
• Have at least one assistant to help with questions, technical issues as they arise
21. WE MADE A FEW ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES….
You WILL attend
Listening Lab, or be
counted absent!!
30. WITH THIS PROGRAM,
THE INSTRUCTOR CAN:
• View every student’s computer screen
• Proactively monitor the status of the PCs themselves, such as
low batteries, loss of Internet connection, frozen screens, etc.
• Send text and audio messages to all or selected students
• Listen in to what the student is listening to
• Chat with the student via voice or text
• Cost: About $25 per student PC (permanent)
• And you do all this from the teacher’s
31. WHAT DO THE STUDENTS SEE?
A MOODLE INTERFACE (DEMO)
(More structure)
(Less structure)
32. STUDENTS CLICK ON THEIR COURSE, ENTER A
PASSWORD, AND THE COURSE MENU OPENS
38. IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES - 1
1. Limited bandwidth (garbled audio, screens freezing)
Proposed Solution: Upgrade the network
infrastructure
2. Big jump in Basic/Level I students, requiring help to
keep things running smoothly, rethinking software
requirements
Proposed Solution: Take on TA/practicum student to
assist; procure additional Rosetta Stone licenses
39. IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES - 2
1. Student hesitancy to speak in labs -- VoiceThread
Proposed Solution: Portable carrels to enhance
sense of privacy, lower affective filter – West Park
Elementary
2. The 1:30 lab slot – students straggling in late and
upsetting the session flow – no food facilities near the
lab
Possible Solutions: Reschedule lab times; Install
vending machines and a large refrigerator, food cart
