Spanish ab initio

What makes this online course unique

Our online Spanish ab initio course covers the same content and prepares students for the same assessments as a traditional face-to-face course. However, the online environment presents students with some very unique learning opportunities. We asked our course developers and teachers to tell us what they think is special about the online course, and to give us some concrete examples of how assignments take advantage of the online environment. Here are some of their answers:

"What is special about taking Spanish ab initio online?"

Independent learning skills:

• "The online Spanish ab initio course offers students the opportunity to 'live the learner profile' as they have to take responsibility for their learning. No bell rings to indicate that they need to begin their lesson but rather their inner clock, or personal commitment, will drive them to log onto their online lesson. This means that the members of the online class will form a group of peers who make a principled decision every time they log in."

Unique support structures:

• "The course contains recorded material and response prompts which will help students learn vocabulary in a dynamic way. There are no distractions when listening to recorded material on an individual computer, whereas in a traditional classroom distractions exist which can impact the listener in a negative way."

Relevant learning experience:

• "All these advantages make an online study option enjoyable, and relevant to the 'digital generation' of today's young learners. Socialising in person and socialising in virtual environments are fast becoming complementary, rather than opposing, activities. Consequently, an online language course is not a 'second best choice' but rather just a choice. Principled learners with a caring teacher are a recipe for success and personal development."
• "The need to communicate with each other and with their teacher, which is the only way an online classroom can function, ensures that communicative skills in both the target and first language will develop as the course unfolds. Body language is not involved as in a traditional face-to-face classroom so the spoken word cannot be avoided, as can often happen with reticent students in the classroom."

"What specific online tools are used in delivery of the course, and in what ways?"

• Special digital tools are needed to ensure that students collaborate, interact and support each other in the virtual environment. Google docs is used for group writing tasks; Podcasts and YouTube clips will enable students to experience cultural events and celebrations so that the cultural aspect of the course is emphasised. To satisfy the oral component of the course, group discussions will be carried out using a chat forum. Research projects will be assigned and new Web 2.0 tools such as Diigo will allow for effective exchanges and presentations of material to create a true environment of collaborative learning.
• All internal assessments, tests and tasks to prepare for the eventual IB examination will be saved in an e-portfolio which each student will maintain. This can take place in the format of a Wikispace for the class or a similar web-based location. The reflections which are integral to this and all IB courses can be kept in journal form or as a Blog, which is a preference expressed by so many young learners today.