In the last few weeks I've been trying to run a mini-experiment. Nothing ambitious, just to try something out.
I teach Chinese 102 and our classes are very large (about 20 students in each), so naturally student's don't have very many chances to speak in class, so there is very little output (aural and written). What I did was I created a google document with some assignments for students. These are not mandatory and I cannot give students extra points or anything like that (since I am a TA not an instructor of record). It is simply for those who want to have extra practice.
The tasks are different: sometimes it is as simple as translating several sentences (usually with 'unique' Chinese grammar), sometimes I post several questions and students answer one, or sometimes I post a Chinese song (which includes subtitles) and ask questions about it. Students can see each others answers, but they have to write their own. I respond either individually or 'collectively' depending on the task.
The results are: some students participate in every activity and some in selective activities (possibly they are too busy, or simply don't want to do it). Some students have very short entries (i.e. 我 想 吃素，因為 素 好吃 ) and some have longer ones (我在家不做饭， 因为我的妈妈做饭。我只帮她做饭。她做饭做得好极了。每个她的菜我都喜欢吃。 但是我在图森的时候我自己要做饭。 我的菜没有我妈妈的菜好吃。所以我的爸爸常常说我得学怎么做饭。我觉得做饭很难。). Out of 20 people I have 9 participating at this point (of course there also students who seemed to be excited to do it, but when it came to actual doing, gave up).
The results are not exactly thrilling, but as I said it is just a trial. What I like about it is students can see other classmates answers (and they all go by their Chinese names, so I'm not sure if they recognize the other people's names). What could be improved is it could involve more collaboration.
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This sounds interesting! I think it's actually pretty impressive that you have 9 out of 20 students participating in an optional activity for no points. That's higher than I would have expected (and, higher than I've had for activities that DID offer extra credit!).
ReplyDeleteWell, 9 out of 20 is almost 50% with no extra points or anything IS impressive as Amy said. My questions would be, Do you think your activties are easy? Why did the ones who were excited gave up?
ReplyDeleteoh nosy me!
and just an idea... Do you have access to elluminate or D2L? Maybe they can have more speaking practice...
an extra comment: I usually have 40 Ss. We can't afford to have less if there's room for 40. :(
Katya,
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you are even trying your mini-experiment. You have already succeeded, and the participation you have been getting is very good. I think Google docs would be a little less exciting for the students (for extra work), but that doesn't seem to the case for your students. I wonder if you started a Ning account with varied content how the participation would be then.
Keep up the good work.