LOTC: Learning that is literally ‘out there’!

• What is LOTC?

• LOTC environments

• LOTC preparation

• LOTC activities

• LOTC follow-up

Presented at Dominion Auckland Teacher Training Day, November 2013 by Martin McMorrow & Justine Ritchie

What is Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC)?

• Learning in any environment (including buildings or open spaces) outside the four classroom walls

 • Involves real-world experiences and authentic

language  • Can create memorable experiences

• Can enhance classroom learning – either as preparation or follow-up activities

What different kinds of LOTC environment are there?

Natural

• Beaches• Domains• Bush walks• Gardens• etc

Cultural

• Museums• Restaurants• Pa sites• Marae• Public talks• Films• etc

Functional

• Libraries• Post Offices• Supermarkets• Malls• Tourist Information• Open Homes• etc

How can we help learners prepare for LOTC?

Resources

• Realia • Texts

• Images

Activities

• Practicalities • Language Study

• Simulations

• Research

What activities can be included in LOTC?

• Challenge cards

• Alphabet / Colour Trails

• Treasure hunt

• Story-telling

• Research tasks

• Evaluation forms• • Secret Shoppers

Games & Challenges

FunctionalDialogues

Recording

Paired practice – one student participates, the other observes and gives feedback

Students making audio, video or image recordings on their phones to use in follow-up activities

How can we exploit LOTC in follow-up lessons?

Language

• Past tenses

• Question forms

• Superlatives / Relative Clauses

• Modal verbs

• Vocabulary

Skills

• Descriptions

• Narratives

• Informative texts

• Reworking functional dialogues

• Quiz questions

LOTC Task

In pairs or groups, brainstorm an LOTC activity you could use with your students, including the:

• Location

• Language and Cultural Learning goals

• Tasks for Preparation, the Activity itself and the follow-up lesson