C.O.D. Library ESL/ABE/GED Faculty Newsletter December 2008
Resource of the Month
http://www.babbel.com Babbel is an interesting new website that combines language learning with social networking features. Users register with a free account, select the language they wish to study and have options to quiz themselves on vocabulary, practice writing using translation exercises or have conversations with other members of the Babbel community on a discussion board or in chat rooms. Tutorial options often feature sound to aid pronunciation. Many of the images that appear on Babbel are uploaded by users-- part of the fun of the site is rating how well images correspond to the concepts to which they have been assigned. Does the picture of the guinea pig wedged
Assessment and Hands-On Learning Sometimes I hear the word "assessment" and have a gut-reaction that's not unlike one to hearing an offensive word. Uggh, I think, assessment... The words we use in the academic word can have conotations attached to them that color their impact on us. My aversion to the world "assessment" keeps me from remembering what the word actually denotes. After all, what's wrong with using a tool that can determine whether or not our instruction actually has an impact on our students? When ESL, ABE and GED students come into the library, many of them are visiting us for the first time-- traditionally we give them a tour, tell them about library services and bring them to the area of the library where they can find resources best suited to their current academic needs. At the end of the session they may have a new library card and some handouts-- perhaps a newfound interest in the Library, but as I librarian I don't have much to show for the experience. What, if anything have the students learned? What will they remember? What really caught their interest? Several of you have come to the Library with ready-made activities for your students-- perhaps they have a mini-research project, or are required to find and check out a graded-reader. I believe, and I am sure you and your students would agree, that listening to the Librarian talk for an hour straight can be pretty dull. Assessment activities not only give us an idea of what the students have learned, but give the students something to do-- a much needed opportunity to get some hands-on experience with the resources about which they have just learned. Do you have a library-related activity that you give your students? Would you like your students to complete an in-library assignment during their visit? Are you interested in working with me to create an assignment that incorporates using curriculum-related library resources? Share your thoughts in the comment section of the Newsletter blog.
between cereal boxes convey the idea of "pets"? You decide with a thumbsup or down. Currently, Babbel has tools for learners of French, Italian, Spanish, English and German.
Your Librarian Jenn Kelley Reference Librarian Office: SRC 3043A Phone: (630) 942-2383 E-mail: kelleyj@cod.edu Library Website: www.cod.edu/library Find me on Facebook
Assessment Resources Assessment and ESL : on the yellow big road to the Withered of Oz Author: Barbara Law, Mary Eckes Call Number: PE1128.A2 L35 2007 Revisiting outcomes assessment in higher education Author: edited by Peter Hernon, Robert E. Dugan and Candy Schwartz Call Number: LB2331.63 .R48 2006 Assessment clear and simple : a practical guide for institutions, departments, and general education Author: Barbara E. Walvoord Call Number: LB2822.75 .W35 2004 Evaluating teacher effectiveness in ESL/EFL contexts Author: edited by Christine Coombe Call Number: PE1128.A2 E828 2007