FOSTERING LEARNER AUTONOMYIN THE LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

BY MARIE-FRANCE HÉTU

OCTOBER 2012

BILC 2012 Presentation

CFLS in the Gatineau Hills

Ideal Setting

CFLS Mission

Other Roles

My Role as a Teacher

CFLS also Provides

Foreign Language (FL) Programs

French and English FL Programs

Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP) English and French

Language Teacher Training Course (LTTC)

Overview of Presentation

Fostering Learner AutonomyOverview

Teaching approaches and principlesImportance of fostering learner autonomyQualities and attributes of self-learnersFostering organization, metacognitive,

critical thinking skillsAuthentic materialsWeb 2.0 tools, online programs and BYOD

Teaching a Second Language at CFLS

Principles of AndragogyAll Learning Begins with Experience –

Adults . . .

The Communicative Approach Uses the Target Language:

A Learner-Centered Approach Focuses on:

Knowledge

Building

Supporting a Learner-Centered Approach

Student Autonomy Can Help a Learner

Learners Can Be Encouraged to Further Develop Autonomous Skills,

Such as:

Fostering Learner Autonomy in the Language Classroom

Learner-Led Morning Warm-up

Authentic and À Propos Elements

Pedagogical Outings – Learners Are Responsible For:

Online Self-LearningAllies

Learners Choose Activities

Listening Comprehension

Activities Focus on Learners’ Work Environment

Grammar Exercises

Listening, Repeating, Recording

Online Self-Learning Program My Account

Just-In-Time Grammar

Activities Are Self-Learning and Self-Paced

Good Selection of Educational Games

FSL Exam Preparation

BYOD to the Classroom

Electronic Devices as a Learning Tool

Review of Apps

Using Apps Appropriately

Using Apps to Review Ongoing Learning

BYOD and App Advantages

BYOD Rules in Class

Possibilities for the Language Classroom in the Future

Integration of more Web 2.0 tools in the classroom to provide learners with autonomous ways to learn and practice their second language:

Targeted social-networking sitesSecond-language blogsMessaging through text, voice and videoVirtual second-language learning communities

Thank you

I look forward to answering your questions during the plenary session

Special Thanks

I would especially like to thank the following learners who graciously allowed me to film and take pictures during class time.

WO Lee, WO Spence, WO Grant, Sgt Foster, OCdt Salnikov, Lt(N) Locke, MWO Krammer, Capt Mathews

References

Anderson, T. (2004). Toward a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.) Theory and Practice of Online Learning, 33-59.

Bates & Poole. (2003). A Framework for Selecting and Using Technology. Effective Teaching with Technology, (75-105). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Dall’Alba, G. & Barnacle, R. (2005). Embodied knowing in online environments. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 37(5), 719-744. https://www.vista.ubc.ca/webct/urw/lc5116011.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct

Downes, S. (2004). Educational blogging. Educause Review, 39(5), 14-26. http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0450.pdf

Heckman, R., & Annabi, H. (2006). Cultivating voluntary online learning communities in blended environments [Electronic Version]. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 10(4), 51-66.

Lipman, M. 1991. Thinking in education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Scardamalia, M., & Bereiter, C. (1994). Computer support for knowledge-building

communities. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 3(3), 265-283. Shea, P., & Bidjerano, T. (2009) Community of inquiry as a theoretical framework to

foster ‘‘epistemic engagement” and ‘‘cognitive presence” in online education. Computers & Education, 52, 543-563.

Swan, K., & Shea, P. (2005). Social presence and the development of virtual learning communities. In S. Hiltz & R. Goldman (Eds.), Learning together online: Research on asynchronous learning networks (pp. 239–260). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Utecht, J. (2007). Blogs aren't the enemy. Technology & Learning, April (9) 32-3

Photo Credits

Screen Captures:http://www.allies.forces.gc.ca/http://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/myaccount/index-

eng.aspxPhotography and Videography:Marie-France Hétu

With the special collaboration of:WO Lee, WO Spence, WO Grant, Sgt Foster, OCdt Salnikov, Lt(N) Locke, MWO Krammer, Capt Mathews