DS as a Tool to Teach Foreign Languages

There are two ways that I could think of in which DS could be used in foreign language learning:

1. to improve listening and comprehension skills in a foreign language by listening and watching translated digital stories (maybe appropriate for a 101 level class);

2. to ask students learning a foreign language to create a DS in that language from an existing DS in English or one that they create themselves; this clearly requires more advanced skills from the students (could be appropriate for a 201 or 301 level class): It not only requires listening and comprehension, but also the ability to translate in a foreign language and then narrate the story with the correct pronunciation.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Anh, I found "Developing Literate Identities" very interesting as it deals with english language learners and new literacy practices. I like its emphasis on literacy as a social practice. I was considering adding links to couple of articles on the foreign language section that I am putting together for the EOUDS site. I think this could be a good one to add. Dr. Robin, what do you think about adding links to articles on the pages that we are working on?

Final Project Update

So, we only have one week left before our final semester projects are due. Panic is setting in. I'm now trying to take inventory of everthing I've done so far, and trying to put it all together. I was out of commission last week because of the flu. I don't think it was "swine flu," but it was still pretty awful, and the timing couldn't have been any worse. With finals, papers, and presentations to prepare for, I'm struggling to get it all done in time. Luckily, for this project, I'd already completed the translations. I think the only thing I have left to do is the introduction. I will post it when I finish for feedback from everyone.

Dr. Robin, I had planned on translating more than one photostory, but after completing two translations of a photostory that I created on Maria Montessori, I don't think I'll have time for another. I didn't realize how much time it would take me to do each photostory translation.

Reflection: Assignment 12

I just spent the last 40 minutes looking at the website. I could only find one section that I thought needed updating. Under Links/Research, perhaps we could add some new articles on DS, since a couple of the studies were done in 2005. I don't know if you're already in the process of updating that page. Perhaps you could include articles that were posted from one of our previous assignments which include studies done in the last couple of years. Also, there seems to more and more studies emerging in DS.

This was a difficult assignment, since it appears that much of the site has been updated or is in the process of being updated. I was impressed with the number of articles that Anh and Lynda were able to find on the subject of DS. Just in the last few months, so much more literature has been published on DS. We should try to keep the Research page updated every few months to keep up with the new research that is being published.

Article on the use of DS in foreign language studies

Using digital stories to improve listening comprehension with Spanish young learners of English. - by AccessMyLibrary.com

The study looked at the effects of using digital stories on the understanding of spoken English by a group of 6-year-old Spanish learners in Madrid. A quasi-experimental research study was launched in six state schools in Madrid. Findings indicated that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the final test administered. These results raise interesting issues related to the use of technology in the context of foreign language learning.

This could be a great article to include on the foreign language page. It supports the use of DS to teach foreign language.


Note: registration is required for the free service of AccessMyLibrary.com inorder to access the article at no charge courtesy of your local library (Houston public library for us).

Hardware Trouble

I definintely have a love/hate relationship with technology. First, I have to say... I am just amazed by how many new applications there are for DS. It seems that each week my searches lead me to discover things I never thought were possible. It's overwhelming how much stuff there is out there on DS. For my final project, I was translating a photostory that I created on Maria Montessori (from a previous class) into Italian. I was actually enjoying the process. I was already familiar with the software (PHotostory3), and even if I had to rewrite the original script because I didn't save it previously, I was having fun. Things were progressing.... no problems... until suddenly, I see the pink screen of death. Poof!... everything was gone. I tried not to panick.. took a deep breath, rebooted the computer... still nothing. Finally, after a long trial of trouble shooting, with the help of my husband and a dell technician on the line, we discovered it was a hardware problem. I had to send my laptop in to replace the MLB (whatever that stands for). I had to rely on my husband's computer for a few days. I'm sure you all have such horror stories. Just thought I'd share mine.

My Interests for the DS Site

There are a couple of areas that I could help develop on the DS website. One is in international studies. Dr. Robin mentioned at our last class meeting that some of his collaborators in Spain inquired about a DS that gave information and examples of the different regional American accents. I think this could be a fun and interesting digital story to create. Another area in which I could help develop is in medical/healthcare. I've worked with many Alzheimer's paitients and their families, and thought how great it would be for them to have a way to tell their stories and also view other's struggles with the disease.