Digital Immersion
For Language Learning
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Digital Immersion was a created as a capstone project in an effort to connect teachers without requiring help from a private company. In other words, for free! Giving us choice and freedom of using free tools such as YouTube, Google Education Suite, EdPuzzle and other sites. The DI project is summarized in this page. If you are interested in contributing to a global community of language teachers and global learning, reach out to connect!
WHY DIGITAL IMMERSION
Immersion in language learning is supported by research to improve metacognition and fluency in the target language. But how many students in the country can actually take advantage of immersion programs or school trips to other countries? Explore the site to learn about Digital Immersion.
The Details
Learning Outcomes
The North Carolina Essential Standards for Modern Language programs consist of four themes with three being based on communication – interpretive, interpersonal and presentational – and one based on culture. The learning outcomes for Digital Immersion learners of the Spanish language are as follows:
Learning Goal 1
Learners will collaborate with a group of native speakers in the target language in the completion of a video presentation.
Learning Goal 2
Learners will choose appropriate responses in the target language in a variety of virtual settings.
Learning Goal 3
Learners will ask the necessary questions to explain the purpose of given materials in the target language.
Assessments
Formative assessments are necessary to ensure understanding and appropriate progress throughout the project. Summative assessments will be reviewed by collaborating peers in the collaborating country before final submission. The following assessment map was guided by the model provided in the Buck Institute for Education website.
What will students do?
Students will collaborate with groups in other countries and peers within their local classes. They will learn through Acquisition of established language skills as well as creating new knowledge as they collaborate with others.
Professional Development
The overall goal of the project is to demonstrate that effective integration of technology can overcome barriers that were unimaginable in the past. Professional Development is necessary to combine teachers content and pedagogical knowledge with technology integration. Immersion into a new language or a new setting for any given learning goal does not have to be passive. Training will aid educators in understanding that digital tools have multiple uses that transform a passive learning into active learning and that teachers can transform education. Digital Immersion for Language Learners will be the model to follow for further engagement and collaboration in the within a school across subjects, in the community and across the world. The learning opportunities offered in our classrooms will increasingly become closer to career and real-world experiences.