Schedule: 2009-09-11 (15:45 - 16:30)
Parallel Session 3 (Room A-1)

Title: The implementation of a blended tuition strategy for an intermediate ODL language course: an evaluation.
Authors: Fernando Rosell-Aguilar
Abstract: This paper will present the strategy for the implementation of a blended tuition approach to teaching an intermediate Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Spanish language course at the UK Open University (OU) using a combination of face-to-face, synchronous oral conferencing, and the tools afforded by a new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It will also present data collected about how students taking the course used the different tools afforded to them and what their perceptions of their use was. This strategy is based on the theoretical underpinning of ODL and use of learning technologies literature as well as Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories.

The aim of the project was to explore students’ use of a VLE in L140 En rumbo, the first intermediate course at the Department of Languages (DoL) at the OU to incorporate blended tuition and the use of VLE tools. Despite the fact that the blended tuition strategy was developed following the principles and experience of other successful online courses, a number of failures occurred and the blended tuition approach has provoked a number of complaints from students. It is important to know whether these represent a larger majority as: “to a learner, a course is the interaction of organization, materials, tutor, other learners and so on. Good materials can become a poor course i[f] the other components are inferior” (Freeeman, 1997, p. 117). The data was collected using an online survey sent to a random selection of 150 students taking the course and reveals both positive and negative outcomes of the blended tuition strategy.

The paper will conclude by presenting the changes that have been made to the blended strategy in the next presentation of the course in the light of the feedback received.
Keywords: Open and Distance Learning, VLE, CMC, Course design, Blended learning

Main topic: Research in new language learning environments

Biodata: Fernando Rosell-Aguilar is a lecturer in Spanish at the Open University (UK). His research focuses on online language learning, mainly CMC learning environments (such as audio-graphic conferencing); Online Information Literacy; Online, Open and Distance Learning design; and podcasting for language learning.
Type of presentation Paper presentation

Paper category Research

Target educational sector Higher education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project No

Schedule:	2009-09-11 (15:45 - 16:30) Parallel Session 3 (Room A-1)
Title:	The implementation of a blended tuition strategy for an intermediate ODL language course: an evaluation.
Authors:	Fernando Rosell-Aguilar
Abstract:	This paper will present the strategy for the implementation of a blended tuition approach to teaching an intermediate Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Spanish language course at the UK Open University (OU) using a combination of face-to-face, synchronous oral conferencing, and the tools afforded by a new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It will also present data collected about how students taking the course used the different tools afforded to them and what their perceptions of their use was. This strategy is based on the theoretical underpinning of ODL and use of learning technologies literature as well as Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories. The aim of the project was to explore students’ use of a VLE in L140 En rumbo, the first intermediate course at the Department of Languages (DoL) at the OU to incorporate blended tuition and the use of VLE tools. Despite the fact that the blended tuition strategy was developed following the principles and experience of other successful online courses, a number of failures occurred and the blended tuition approach has provoked a number of complaints from students. It is important to know whether these represent a larger majority as: “to a learner, a course is the interaction of organization, materials, tutor, other learners and so on. Good materials can become a poor course i[f] the other components are inferior” (Freeeman, 1997, p. 117). The data was collected using an online survey sent to a random selection of 150 students taking the course and reveals both positive and negative outcomes of the blended tuition strategy. The paper will conclude by presenting the changes that have been made to the blended strategy in the next presentation of the course in the light of the feedback received.
Keywords:	Open and Distance Learning, VLE, CMC, Course design, Blended learning
Main topic:	Research in new language learning environments
Biodata:	Fernando Rosell-Aguilar is a lecturer in Spanish at the Open University (UK). His research focuses on online language learning, mainly CMC learning environments (such as audio-graphic conferencing); Online Information Literacy; Online, Open and Distance Learning design; and podcasting for language learning.
Type of presentation	Paper presentation
Paper category	Research
Target educational sector	Higher education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	No