Transcript Teaching Chinese in the Virtual World 虚拟世界中的中文教学 What

Teaching Chinese
in the Virtual World
虚拟世界中的中文教学
What tools can be used?
By Xie Tianwei
谢天蔚
California State University, Long Beach
长堤加州州立大学
Email: [email protected]
Virtual office: http://xietianwei.net
The handout of this presentation can be downloaded
at http://learningchineseonline.net/PPT/
Virtual Word in a broad sense

Alternative terms: virtual space, virtual community,
virtual environment

A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a system that
creates an environment designed to facilitate teachers
in the management of educational courses for their
students, especially a system using computer hardware
and software, which involves distance learning.

While originally created for distance education, VLEs
are now most often used to supplement traditional face
to face classroom activities, commonly known as
Blended Learning.
Virtual World in a narrow sense

A virtual world is an internet-based, simulated
environment where users interact via motionable
avatars, graphical images that represent people.

Over the past several years, educators have begun
exploring virtual worlds as a powerful medium for
instruction. (ANGEL team, 2008)
What is happening?

This is a world of globalization and Internet

Internet shortens the distance and makes
communication easier than ever before

Language teaching and learning is no longer an activity
in classrooms. It can happen anytime and anywhere.
STANDARDS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING
Five Cs
Source: Dr. Liu Shijuan
Web 2.0 and 5 Cs
Blogs
Wikis
Virtual World
Online Language
learning websites
Podcasts
Video Sharing
Online Chat
Video Conferencing
Source: Dr. Liu Shijuan
What tools can be used for
teaching and learning in the virtual
world


In-classroom
 Course delivery
 Discussion
 Practice
 Assessment
Outside-classroom
 Community learning
 Collaborative learning
WizIq
http://www.wiziq.com
Teaching online
Course delivery
Lecturing
Tutoring
Skype+Mikogo
http://skype.com
http://www.mikogo.com
Teaching online
Course delivery
Lecturing
Tutoring
ConnectNow
https://www.acrobat.com/#/connectn
ow/GoToMyMeeting
Teaching online
Course delivery
Lecturing
Tutoring
Wiggio
http://wiggio.com
Collaborating learning
Team working
Work in groups
SecondLife and other 3D virtual
communities

Example 1. There.com - an online
getaway where one can hang out with
his/her friends and meet new ones-- all in
a lush 3D environment.

Example 2. Unisfair.com – live, highly
interactive conferences, trade shows, job
fairs and any other type of event that
people would hold in person —

Example 3. secondlife.com - 3D virtual
world where users can socialize, connect
and create using voice and text chat.

Example 4. 社会初显 HiPiHi.com - 3D虚
拟世界的平台A platform for a 3D virtual
world
Examples of using Second Life in
Teaching Chinese

Second Life Chinese School at the Confucius
Institute of Michigan State University: China Island
Project
 http://confucius.msu.edu/secondlife/default.html

University of Oregon: MyChina Village Project
(Summer, 2009)
 Summer camp with the students from Suzhou
University (six weeks)
 Topic on environmental protection
 Open house for everybody on Fridays
Our expectations



Real learning in virtual community
More challenges
Visions
Thank you!
多谢！
Email: [email protected]
Virtual office: http://xietianwei.net