Virtual Class Reflection

At the end of today's virtual class, post your reflections to one of the four prompts below:

1. In episode 5 of the CALLSpot, what factors do Hempel and Stickler identify as important for successful distance language teaching and learning online? What does this suggest regarding the pros and cons of online language learning for the learner population you have taught or would like to teach?



2. One of the criticisms levied against distance ed courses is the difficulty teachers face in establishing a sense of community among remotely located participants. What strategies might an instructor employ to foster a sense of community?



3. “Think of a class you have taught or are currently teaching. If you were to move 50% to 100% of the class time to an online format, what would the change require or involved? How would it require you, as a teacher, to change or adapt?” (Sánchez-Serrano’s, 2008, p. 173)
   
   
4. According to Nancy, one of the Spanish language distance education teachers surveyed by Sánchez-Serrano’s (2008), “the online curriculum should be designed to match, as closely as possible, the needs of the environment and of the students, while not attempting to imitate its face-to-face counterparts as the perfect model” (p. 157).How should a curriculum for online language instruction differ from a curriculum for face-to-face language instruction?