CALICO 2005 Michigan State University _____________ May 17-21, 2005...

________________________________________________________________________________________ Department of German & Multimedia Learning Center, Northwestern University © 2005 Northwestern University

CALICO 2005Michigan State University_____________May 17-21, 2005

Extending the “Lernort” To a Virtual Learning Environment:BAUHAUS IN CHICAGOBauhaus and Beyond: An Interactive Architektour

Ingrid ZellerDenise MeuserFranziska LysDepartment of GermanNorthwestern University



Starting Points1. Innovations in Language Teaching

• Interdisciplinary approaches to learning• Alternative to classroom instruction -

purposeful and engaging exploration and discovery of surroundings through an excursion, a “Lernort”

• A wealth of meaningful input

2. Themes• Life in a metropolis• Architecture as expression• Intersections between German and American

art and culture



Lernort What is a Lernort?

• Authentic place for learningthat encourages meaningful communication in the target language

However, stage has to be set for effective

learning to take place• Usually excursions include visits to

culturally relevant places, such as German neighborhoods, museums, historically important sights:

Chicago: Architecture lends itself well to exploration of German influences to the life of the city



Implementing an ExcursionContext Unit on Architecture and Culture in Berlin and Chicago (Third Year Grammar and Composition Course: Berlin - Scenes of a Century)

ExcursionArchitecture tour by German-speaking docent • German restaurant visit • visit to relevant museum exhibits • visit to IIT campus

Pre-Excursion Interview on living situations (pros/cons of high rises, etc.)• picture of favorite building • architectural styles • history of bauhaus • activities on Weimar, Dessau, Berlin

During ExcursionStudents ask questions of guide • take photographs • take notes • create a portrait of a building • engage in scavenger hunt • answer questions on handouts (modules)

Post-ExcursionProduction by students of articles, skits, videos, interactive exercises (timeline, games, puzzles), PowerPoint presentations • Bauhaus Videotour Course Website: http://www.german.northwestern.edu/zeller



Benefits of a Lernort

• Material comes alive • Understanding of new

aspects of society• Exploration of relevant

surroundings• Students are engaged and

enthusiastic about language

• Visual and multidimensional aspects facilitate learning



From Lernort Architektur to Virtual Architektour

• Why online?– Extension of Lernort

• Virtual access as possible alternative to excursion

• Interactive features can serve to introduce and to solidify information

• Guided learning in combination with exploratory acquisition

• Vast opportunities for integration in classroom• Involves students actively in the engagement with

technology



Filming the Architecture Tour

• Videotaped guided tour in German– Docent Ingeborg Kohler from the CAF (Chicago Architecture Foundation)

• Eight individual clips and an introduction • Selection of buildings based on three major styles

• Chicago Style• International Style• Postmodern Style

– Representative for American City– Emphasis on German influence on architects



The Film Team and some Challenges

• Film Team– Producers: Denise Meuser and Ingrid Zeller– Cameraman & Editor: Mark Schaefer

Northwestern MMLC

• Weather conditions• Time of day• Working with and without a script



Filming the City



The Editing

• Preparing transcripts• Editing sound bites• Editing visual information• Revising transcripts and translating into English• Creating time coded scripts



Software Development

• Web Site – http://chicago-architektour.mmlc.northwestern.e

du

• Flash design with streaming video • Team approach to the creation of exercises

– Franziska Lys, Denise Meuser, Ingrid Zeller

• Web-designers– Adam Bennet, Daniel Escutia, Franziska Lys



Software Considerations

• Purpose of site– Target audience

• Overall visual design– Attractive, inviting look

• Navigational design– Intuitive,minimal clicking

• Creation of learning interactions• Screen design



• Vocabulary activities– Types of buildings, materials, colors, shapes, adjectives

• Context for grammatical concepts– Comparatives and superlatives, relative clauses,

passive voice

• Descriptive paragraphs– Journal entry or short essay describing a home, a

building on campus or a hometown landmark.– Simple biographies of architects

Contexts: Elementary German



• Vocabulary activities– Advanced vocabulary related to construction materials, architectural

styles

• Context for grammatical concepts– Emphasis on passive voice; correct integration of adverbs of time and

space

• Projects– Reports about buildings for student newspaper– Skits integrating buildings; building as backdrop for a scene in skit (FBI,

etc.)– PowerPoint presentations with interactive features– Biographies of architects – Video presentations

• Examples: http://www.german.northwestern.edu/zeller

Contexts: Intermediate German



Contexts: Advanced German

• Research Activities– Research papers– Interactive websites

– Video projects

• Examples – Biographies of architects– Descriptions of building sites– Historical developments of city

blocks and neighborhoods

• Explorations in the city with still or video camera

CALICO 2005 Michigan State University _____________ May 17-21, 2005...

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