What would you do if you had access to any eLearning tools you could dream of?  What would those tools look like?

What subject matter would test the current limits of elearning technology, but might be plausible with a flawless execution of software design, administration, and teaching?

Recently, CAE has deployed our tools in the language learning arena, since we’ve been developing language courses for years.  The possibilities for the uses of our virtual classroom’s robust administrative features and VOIP integration into courses are just getting explored.   Effective administration of online schools is in its infancy.  If we were to begin developing the next generation of tools, where should we start?

So, really – what are some other applications that you can see in the near future having a high demand that could really shape elearning?  What subjects could really benefit by being saved leading edge tools?

So, is the new buzzword “social learning?”  According to Wikipedia, “social learning refers to the acquisition of social competence that happens exclusively or primarily in a social group.”  Makes sense to me. I have a feeling a lot of people would agree with this definition.  Now how many of you agree that the definition of “social learning” after the Internet marketing crowd gets hold of it will essentially amount to “setting up FaceBook and a forum to let people answer each other’s questions so we don’t have to pay someone to do it?”

I definitely think there is tremendous value in the Internet’s ability to allow us to learn from each other.  In fact, according to Albert Bandura and his social learning theory, all learning that we do is social learning, except when we learn by our own trial-and-error.  I like this notion – that learning doesn’t have to be from an approved expert; however, I also don’t like the idea of self-proclaimed experts either.

As we develop our tools for social learning, I have a feeling, based on what I’ve seen so far, that the incarnation of it will evolve into something more like a mentored social learning process.  Imagine an open arena, possibly with advanced tools, that is open access with a language coach mentoring the free activity.  To me, this is an effective deployment of mentored learning.

Without a coach present for social learning, the situation could easily arise into a “blind leading the blind” scenario.  I speculate that this could even learn to counterproductive practice.  Consider a room full of students trying to learn pronunciation and all having the same incorrect pronunciation, which later would have to be unlearned.

I’m really excited about the prospects that social learning and the ever-evolving Internet presents, but I’m also nauseated by the knowledge that, as with any new technology, there will surely be cheap knock-offs that give social learning a bad name.

References:

http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/sociallearning.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_learning_%28social_pedagogy%29

DevLearn 2010 is compiling its Master Class schedule for its trade show in San Francisco.  Dexway will be demonstrating it’s integrated language coach functionality on Thursday, November 4th at 1p on Stage 2.  During the half hour presentation, visitors will be introduced to the seamless integration of interactive multimedia with native-speaking language coaches.

Our presentation will be a live demonstration connecting a coach in Honduras with the presenter in the format of a one2one session that is standard in Dexway courses.  The ability to select between a coach from various countries, Spain or the Caribbean for example, enables the student to learn the particular dialect and cultural nuances of a language more accurately than from a standardized language course.

The purpose of the Master Class is to not only demonstrate the functionality of our Dexway product line, but also to encourage discussion among the community of the value of seamless integration of live coaches during online education.

If you’d like to find out more about the demonstration, or have suggestions for what you’d like to see or discuss at the Master Class, please contact Ron at 305-577-0082.

I never knew Inglés could be so difficult.  Have you ever tried Inglés? Well, have you ever tried typing “Inglés?” OK, without copying and pasting what I typed, type “Inglés.”  It’s like the world’s easiest spelling test.  I’m writing the word in front of you and I want to you type it.  But remember, “e” is not the same as “é.”

Well…?

One of the nice things about about dexway is that you can answer written questions without having to install a language in Windows.  In Windows, you first install the language, then you have to switch to it, and then remember to switch back when you do your other stuff in your other open windows.  Most importantly, you have to remember which QWERTY key is for the corresponding accent or character.

using dexway's multi-language keys

In dexway, there is quick access in the top toolbar to a click-and-go keyboard for these shortcuts, which includes several languages in one pop-up overlay.

“Inglés” (and Spanish) is so much easier now.

dexway's quick-click multi-language tool

And if you found this article because you were looking for a chart of all the special characters to keep for quick access, you can copy and save this image for future reference.