ALLE proposes an alternative to off-the-shelf courseware, or
learningware. Why is such an alternative necessary?
Because off the shelf, or commercially prepared courseware, is difficult
to integrate into the curriculum:
a) it is based on a computer-student model in which there is no interactive
place for the teacher, perpetuating an
outdated conduit model of learning where knowledge is simply transferred
to the learner;
b) it is hard-wired to a fixed content, making it impossible to adapt it
to the changing needs of students and the curriculum;
c) it typically comes without a hard copy equivalent, making it inconvenient
and time consuming for teachers to discover what the software contains and
to select relevant parts for student use.
ALLE proposes as an alternative the creative use of the Web, using either
a simple editor such as Netscape Composer, or a set of easy-to-use templates
with which the teacher can prepare materials for use in or out of class,
using only basic wordprocessing skills. ALLE is involved in the
development of such templates and in professional development work to initiate
teachers at all levels into their use. It should be noted that the
use of the Web in this way does not necessarily require an internet
connection. It is possible to store all materials locally (on hard
or floppy disk), using a browser (Netscape or Explorer) to view and interact
with them.
Using an editor and/or templates, the teacher can produce the electronic
equivalent of handouts in about the same time it takes to prepare hard copy
handouts, with the added possibility of combining different pages into sequences
or lessons and putting them on the Web. Unlike courseware, which is
parachuted into a teaching/learning situation from outside, these materials
grow out of the situation and form an integral part of the environment.
ALLE has three interrelated parts:
First, templates are being developed, each corresponding to one or more typical
language learning activities or exercises (listening, recording your voice,
participating in a dialogue, studying a video clip, dictation, short answer,
matching, etc.).
Second, working collaboratively among ourselves and with teachers from all
levels, initial sets of materials will be developed with the templates and
tested in real learning situations.
Finally, evangelization will consist of group work, individual and collective
projects, demonstrations, workshops and production studios, with an aim to
involve as many teachers as possible in the use of the templates as part
of the
language learning process. Ongoing evaluation, using the expertise
of the U of C Lessons Learned Evaluation Team, is an integral part of the
project.
ALLE is designed for all second languages and levels, including Asian languages
and others with different alphabets. Templates and initial sets of materials
will be available to Alberta educational institutions free or for a nominal
amount covering the cost of reproduction and distribution.
