PBL-VI: Resolution of social challenges (Stage 1)

PBL-VI: Resolution of social challenges – Stage 1

 

 

STAGE 1: Presentation of the project and explanation of roles and work dynamic

 

[PBL-VII] [Stage 1] English [B2+] [100 minutes – 2 sessions]
Dates Week 1 & Week 2 (January 28 to February 8)
Deadline End of Week 2, February 8
Goals Familiarize students with the project, research students’ opinions about telecollaboration, finding out students’ level and grouping them into teams according to abilities and level, and familiarize students with the ICT tools to be used during the project, namely Google + Communities
Description of tasks 1.1.  The teacher gives a 20-minute presentation explaining what the project consists of, its objectives and benefits for the students, as well as the roles assumed by the students. The teacher also explains how the project links in with the continuous assessment for this subject, i.e. English Language IV. Students will work in groups of 4-5 combining a Problem-Based and telecollaborative methodology in order to find creative solutions for complex social problems. At the end of the semester, they will present their own prevention and social awareness campaign in the form of a video.

1.2.  After the brief overview of the project, students are asked to complete an online pre-questionnaire meant to check their perspective on telecollaboration. The teacher wants to find out whether there is significant change in students’ perceptions about telecollaboration during the experiment.

1.3.    The teacher administers a Macmillan placement test in order to check students’ English level. Based on the information collected from this test, the teacher streamlines the groups according to levels.  As the same test will be passed at the end of the experiment, the teacher will know whether this methodology helps students improve their English level.

1.4.    Students are asked to create their own profile on Google + Community, find the forum thread assigned to them and follow the instructions given by the teacher. Each group will have a moderator/chairperson (usually the most proficient speaker) in charge of keeping the forum debate going. The chairperson also has to open and close the forum thread, point out the relevance of the social problem under consideration, ask for members’ opinions, facilitate consensus between team members and summarize the main ideas presented in the forum.