For language training in schools and universities, the implementation of online and offline networked language classrooms is an effective aspect which is increasingly valued by both teachers and students. Not surprisingly, it allows progress in the study of languages at the pace imposed by the student himself and makes the necessary means available for an interactive, participatory and immersive training.
The student in control of their own training
In networked classrooms with open timetables, students carry the weight of their own learning. They choose the time they can devote to training and study at the pace of their abilities.
Also, for those students who refuse to speak in public, Dexway language labs with speech recognition and conversation groups are an excellent option. They can practice their oral skills without having to expose themselves to the pressure of public speaking. In fact, thanks to these conversation groups that enable chat rooms to be set up, the initial idea that many students have about language labs being impersonal is soon dispelled.
In this sense, the study Language Labs: Dying or evolving? explores current student preferences for language labs. This work published in Turkey reveals that students are positive about the use of networked classrooms as “a motivating and useful digital environment”. However, they also believe that laboratory hours should be separated from classes and “integrate new technologies such as tablets.”
Language labs: Dying or evolving? Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 199 (2015) 65-72).
Main advantages of Dexway language networked classrooms
# 1 100% language immersion
Dexway courses for networked classrooms offer 100% linguistic immersion to students with numerous additional resources such as magazines, videos, flashcards or conversation groups so that after the lessons they can continue with the study of the language in pleasant and relaxed ways.
This access is available whether you work with an online classroom or with a local classroom. For offline content, it is recommended to make regular connections to take advantage of all Dexway updates.
# 2 Interactive content by objectives
Interactive material is essential for effective e-learning training. Student participation is essential and Dexway content achieves high engagement. Dexway laboratories allow access to a virtual campus in which all kinds of unique teaching materials and multimedia can be accessed. In addition, the courses structured by objectives allow learning to be focused on oral communication, preparation for official certification or developing communication skills in a specific context such as the hotel, business or healthcare.
# 3 Shared physical space, individual study
The language labs allow individual study so that each student learns at their own pace, but at the same time, they provide a common space that teachers can take advantage of to carry out dynamic activities such as Station Rotation Lab or group work.
# 4 Unlimited local access
Each work space in a networked language classroom has unlimited use. Licenses are by computer and all students who need it can use it. In addition, they allow you to establish closed classes with a teacher and open hours. By setting free schedules, those students with a greater interest can advance in learning the language of their choice.
# 5 Tracking tools
These tools provide the teacher in charge of the student groups (either in face-to-face or non-supervised training) detailed information about the progress of each student enrolled in the courses.
Thanks to Dexway’s monitoring tools, the only ones capable of sharing information classified by language skills, teachers can follow the progress of their group in real time, allowing them to program booster pills for those subjects in which they have the most difficulties, or even only for those students who need it, so they are not left behind.
# 6 Gamification
The gamified evaluation system of Dexway language courses for networked classrooms works on motivation through specialized coaching and the setting of objectives related to the linguistic competences that are evaluated (writing, speaking, reading, listening, grammar, pronunciation).
The aim is to prolong the interest from beginning to end of the training both with individual achievements and with leaderboards that compare them with the rest of the group.