Online and Hybrid Strategies for Enhancing Your Students' Language Learning: A Tri-State Workshop

Friday, April 20, 2018
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Central), 2:00- 5:00 p.m. (Eastern)
University of Minnesota (Jones 15), Michigan State University (Wells B104), and in Cyberspace
Please register online

This workshop is free! Supported by the College of Arts and Letters Collaboration Grant at Michigan State University, and the College of Liberal Arts Language Center and CARLA at the University of Minnesota.

The sponsors are very excited to invite you to participate in this tri-state workshop adventure in a new format! We are coordinating to link up three different state sites so that you can attend in person at MSU or UMN, or attend virtually from anywhere.

• There will be two presentations, one each from the University of Kansas and the University of Minnesota. See presentation information below.
• All attendees will have the opportunity to network with both virtual and face-to-face (F2F) attendees. If you attend a F2F session and bring your laptop, you will be able to participate in online discussions as well as discussing with those sitting right next to you. 
• Virtual attendees will need to supply their own coffee and treats - offered only to those attending F2F!

Once you have registered online, you will be sent further information and instructions on locations, both F2F and virtual connections.


Presentation 1: Free Technology Tools for Foreign Language Instructors

With the ever-increasing number of web-based applications, mobile apps, browser extensions and free multimedia software available today, the thought of finding and selecting those best suited for foreign language instruction can be daunting. This presentation will streamline your efforts by highlighting some of the best free technology tools for foreign language instructors. Examples of what instructors can do with the tools include: extract video clips and images from a DVD; download, subtitle, combine or extract segments from YouTube videos; convert file formats; share groups of links with optional annotations; create screencasts.

Presenter: Keah Cunningham, Assistant Director of the Ermal Garinger Academic Resource Center, holds a B.A. in Information Systems (with an Italian minor) from the University of Kansas and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Educational Technology. Keah provides support and training to instructors in the use of technology in the classroom and serves as the lead web designer for the Center's projects.

Presentation 2: From Transition to Transition: Strategies for Preparing Courses for LMSs

Transitioning to a new LMS (learning management system) is not an uncommon move in most higher-ed teaching contexts. However, these moves are not only increasingly becoming more common, but also more frequent. This presentation will provide strategies for language instructors on how to prepare for LMS transitions. Those considering using LMSs will learn about reasons for using LMSs for language teaching, such as ideas for incorporating cultural content and authentic materials in their courses. Participants will be guided through the process of developing course materials that infuse instructional design principles and can be easily transported to multiple LMSs. After participants learn five basic considerations for transitions, participants will engage in hands-on guided practice to identify content and resources from their courses to prepare for transition or development. Examples from two common LMSs - Canvas and Moodle - will be provided.

Presenter: Adolfo Carrillo Cabello is the Coordinator of Professional Development at the College of Liberal Arts Language Center at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Adolfo holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Technology from Iowa State University. In his current position, Adolfo plans and delivers professional development interventions, and provides support for curricular changes to language instructors from five language departments.