ABSTRACTS - Room 121

All sessions take place in Butler-Carlton Hall on the Missouri S&T campus

1-121 // Harnessing the Power of Film: A Film-Based Methodology for the Advanced Foreign Language Conversation Class

STANDARD SESSION (45 minutes)

Presenter: Dr. M. Emilia Barbosa - Assistant Professor of Arts, Languages (Spanish) & Philosophy; Missouri S&T

Audience: Higher Education

Time and Location: 12:15 - 1:00 p.m.; Room 121

Film as content for the foreign language classroom has become so widely available that when the MLA’s [Modern Language Association] 2007 Report came out, it not only had to address the issue of using film in language classes but notably inquire about how really accessible and instrumental it is to convey the specific outcome of increasing students’ trans-lingual and transcultural competence (see Kathleen A. Bueno’s remarks on this particular aspect). Experts emphasize that some films support these goals better than others. Thus, the MLA’s 2007 Report focuses on and recommends a pedagogy anchored on authentic materials in the language classroom, including film (Shrum and Glisan, 2003; Kramsch, 1993; and Villegas and Medley, 1998, all had already previously emphasized the importance of teaching with authentic materials). Of equal importance is the emphasis on visual learning, digital literacy, and the cyber-habits of the newer generations. Since film both reflects and creates culture (Sherman, 2003; my emphasis), I have been developing a film-based methodology that harnesses its power and potential as a catalyst for students’ engagement and exposure to authentic linguistic and cultural materials. In this presentation, I address how students’ ability to speak and write about film is activated as a film-based pedagogy involves learning the basics of film semantics not as a list of techniques, but rather as a continuum of aesthetic possibilities. In this manner, students increasingly can recognize filmmakers’ creative choices and analyze how films communicate ideas about their linguistic and cultural contexts. I will demonstrate how this is a valid approach to teaching a language, particularly at the conversational level, not simply because the conversation requires the language, but because the conversation builds understanding of language by deepening awareness of cultural context and art. In this environment, a system of cultural and aesthetic inquiry will take hold and permeate the learning environment.

WORKS CITED

Bueno, Kathleen A. “Got Film? Is it a Readily Accessible Window to the Target Language and Culture for Your Students?” Foreign Language Annals 42.2 (Summer 2009): 318-339.

Kramsch, C. Context, and Culture in Language Teaching. Oxford, England: Oxford UP, 1993.

MLA Ad Hoc Committee on Foreign Languages. “Foreign Languages and Higher Education: New Structures for a Changed World.” Profession 2007: 234-245.

Sherman, J. Using Authentic Video in the Language Classroom. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP, 2003.

Shrum, J. and E. Glisan. Teacher’s Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction. Boston, MA: Heinle, Cengage Learning, 2010.

Villegas Rogers, C. and F. W. Medley Jr. “Language with a Purpose: Using Authentic Materials in the Foreign Language Classroom.” Foreign Language Annals 21.5 (1988): 467-478.

2-121 // eFellows and ACUE and Covid…Oh My!

STANDARD SESSION (45 minutes)

Presenter: Dr. Michelle Schwartze - Assistant Teaching Professor of Teacher Education & Certification; Missouri S&T

Audience: Higher Education

Time and Location: 1:15 - 2:00 p.m., Room 121

In this presentation, I will share my experience of completing a course design through eFellows while also completing ACUE online certification courses. Doing these two things together taught me a lot about student engagement and course design, all amid a pandemic. I will share with you some of the things I learned during this journey.

3-121 // More Than a Score: Tips for Providing Consistent Grading and Quality Feedback

STANDARD SESSION (45 minutes)

Presenter: Mark Fabian - Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships and Digital Learning; Fabian University

Audience: Higher Education

Time and Location: 2:15 - 3:00 p.m., Room 121

Today’s learners expect fair evaluation, thorough feedback, and of course, an almost immediate turnaround. Balancing these competing expectations is no simple task! This session will demonstrate how to maximize the efficiency and impact of your grading by providing practical advice for improving your grading workflow, tips for using various digital tools to provide rich feedback, and strategies to ensure students are learning from your feedback.