Creating Engaging Online Foreign Language Courses with Schoology

When I was asked to move my Spanish 2 and 3 courses online this year, I was hesitant only because I wasn't sure I could recreate what occurred in my face to face blended classroom. My main focus was to create a classroom environment that was organized, engaging and provided student choice.  I was able to make all of this happen with our learning management system Schoology and a combination of Web 2.0 tools and applications available on the Students' iPad Airs.

Can you work on all language skills in an online environment?

Speaking was the skill that worried me the most when moving to an online environment. Utilizing the camera function of the iPads students record a daily "vlog" where they practice their speaking skills after watching a flipped video with instructions.

Organization
Schoology allows for coherent organization through its folder options. I start every week with an introduction to that weeks objectives. I like for the students to know exactly what they need to know by the end of the week or unit. I do this with "I can" statements that are posted on the folders each week.

**Updated**

Assessment

I can't believe I forgot to include the most vital piece...how will I know if my students have mastered the skills being taught each week. Schoology provides a robust testing system that can be setup to create a random formative assessment each time a student wants to demonstrate that they have mastered the skills being taught. This makes mastery learning a possibility without overwhelming the teacher.

Engagement

If you aren't engaged in a lesson or activity, it will be highly unlikely you will learn anything. By utilizing sites like Zaption, my flipped videos are much more engaging and it is easier to highlight the key points in the flipped grammar lesson or listening practice.

Game-based learning is another large component of creating an engaging online foreign language course. We use the free app Duolingo for daily listening and vocabulary practice.

I also have the students participate in various MinecraftEdu simulations where they have the opportunity of practicing their Spanish skills in a game based environment.

Student Choice

Finally I think its vital to provide student choice in the way they complete activities and demonstrate their knowledge. I have created many "Vocabulary Applications" where the students choose from one the many applications or make up one of their own and demonstrate their knowledge of the vocabulary or phrases. This includes Tweeting me in Spanish or texting their family or friends in Spanish.

I am happy to report that the results this year have been phenomenal. My students have been submitting quality work that demonstrates engagement.  Much of the work that is submitted goes above and beyond what is asked of them because they are given choice in how they can demonstrate their learning.