Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by Matt Bury -
Number of replies: 7
Picture of Plugin developers

Hi Moodlers!

Linked to below is a blog post about whether giving flipped learning assignments to foreign/second language learners is an effective use of students' & teachers' time. Do you use Moodle for foreign/second language teaching? What are your views on flipping? Which learning activities do you think are appropriate for flipping, i.e. homework/self-study assignments to complete as preparation for the next face to face/virtual classroom lesson?

Link: https://adaptivelearninginelt.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/bored-or-boring-instructional-grammar-videos-for-flipped-learning/

TIA!

Average of ratings: -
In reply to Matt Bury

Re: Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by Mary Cooch (personal account) -
Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Testers
Hi there - I'm just piggy-backing on your post to remind people that there is a course (and discussion forum and webinar recording) about Teaching Languages with Moodle over on Moodle Academy.
I actually participate in a Russian class every Thursday night (on Zoom not on Moodle) where the teacher uses the Flipped learning model. We all have to watch a video on a certain contemporary topic, do some pre-course activities and then continue in the class. It works though I think because the small group is at a high level (B2+/C1) and motivated. Also we don't do grammar in the flipped learning mode - I read your blog post- I haven't used flipped learning for grammar instruction; I think I would be a little reticent, simply because I like/liked the 'control' aspect of being able to introduce something in the way that I want it presented. On the other hand, I taught young learners who couldn't all be relied on to do stuff before class (or even afterwards ;) ) and perhaps those language teachers who teach self-regulated adults might have more success.
Average of ratings: Useful (2)
In reply to Mary Cooch (personal account)

Re: Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by Matt Bury -
Picture of Plugin developers

HI Mary, 

I understood the underlying criticism in the blog post to be about how the grammar was presented rather than the medium (video). I'd also say that grammar presentations per se are typically ineffective & not recommended by iSLA (instructed second language acquisition) researchers.

Yes, I like the idea of comprehensible input-oriented self-study activities, like you've suggested.

Re: younger &/or less motivated students, I've found that doing the first few self-study activities together in class & providing immediate feedback, which Moodle can do in some cases automagically, tends to get better participation rates later.

How about you?

Average of ratings: Useful (2)
In reply to Mary Cooch (personal account)

Re: Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by James Steerpike -
Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers
I think it is significant that your Russian class uses Zoom but not Moodle. This style of teaching seems to depend on face to face interaction between teacher and student as immediate interaction is very difficult to achieve in Moodle. The example given of tired/tiring would be much more difficult to teach by introducing a situation and highlighting the correct grammar in Moodle compared to the same lesson in a classroom. Moodle has both strengths and limitations.
For language learning there Is a lot of rote learning. For example, I am learning to read and write Chinese and there is no easy way to learn a couple of thousand characters. This sort of learning is best done at your own pace. In language learning I see the main use of Moodle in vocabulary acquisition and grammar rules, the foundation of every language. In the classroom we can then focus on listening and expressing ideas
Average of ratings: -
In reply to James Steerpike

Re: Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by Mary Cooch (personal account) -
Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Testers
Re (quote) younger &/or less motivated students, I've found that doing the first few self-study activities together in class & providing immediate feedback, which Moodle can do in some cases automagically, tends to get better participation rates later.
Yes, totally🙂
Average of ratings: Useful (1)
In reply to Mary Cooch (personal account)

Re: Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by Matt Bury -
Picture of Plugin developers
As an extension of that principle, I think it helps for all learners of all levels & ages. We all have years of experience, training & "enculturation" into studying in physical schools & classrooms. Many learners have very little of that for online study.
Average of ratings: -
In reply to Matt Bury

Re: Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by Christopher Engelsma -
I find the glossary function to be soooo helpful. I never need to stop and explain grammatical terms. If the student doesn't know the term, he clicks and learns. If he already knows it, he moves on. Such an incredible time saver.
Average of ratings: Useful (2)
In reply to Matt Bury

Re: Flipped learning for grammar instruction?

by James Steerpike -
Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers
I felt sorry for those poor teachers slammed as ineffective. Face to face in the classroom is not scripted as well as this.

So grammar is not suited for a video presentation? I teach students who make many grammatical errors. How can I fix them? Give them a grammar textbook? Or is it just supposed to happen?

I am thinking today about creating a Moodle course as a challenge for my University EFL students over their summer break. They should be at IELTS 5 and some are barely at 4. I can't grade speaking or writing on a Moodle quiz and their main weakness is listening. Videos then seem to be the best way for them to learn and if they have transcripts, they can read and translate anything they find difficult. So I will be pointing to grammar videos and using a Moodle quiz to test their understanding.

I learn a foreign language myself and I study in a very inefficient way by using vocab flashcards. The flash cards though give me
motivation in a way a text book page does not and for self paced learning total time spent is more important than the correctness of the teaching method.
Average of ratings: Useful (1)