English Language Learning through Virtual Intent Participation and Constructionism

with Izabel Olson, Northwestern University, USA

Date: March 18, 2010
10:00 pm to 10:50 pm EDT
(see time in other time zones)
 

Description:
As virtual communities emerge on the Internet, virtual forms of intent community participation follow. I intend to provide a framework for virtual intent participation using Rogoff’s studies of geographically bound community intent participation as a base. Learners participating in virtual intent communities and constructionism can be transformed from passive receivers of authentic materials to engaged authors of their own second language (L2) artifacts. Such practice provides L2 learners with a safe and motivating environment in which they can enhance their perceived self-efficacy. Educators can explore these pathways in a classroom environment by discussing, sharing, and collaborating on constructions. Through distributed constructionism, educators have the potential to make subject matter more accessible for students, encouraging them to make meaningful connections, while creating successful experiences and consequential engagement in learning a new language.

About the Presenter:
Izabel C. Olson is a graduate student at Northwestern University. Izabel has over 10 years experience in Education, having worked in a wide range of Brazilian schools, as well as international schools in Brazil. Izabel currently is interested in how to utilize constructionist principles to learn English as a second language, as well as in using constructionism to facilitate educational experiences.