In this time of online learning, teachers struggle with building content that actively engages and motivates students rather than presenting information that simply promotes passive learning. This session will provide an actual example of how a high school teacher created a website using the web development tool, WIX, that presents information about the French language and culture in different ways that actively engages and motivates students to learn the foreign language, French. Ms. Bauserman will give participants a virtual tour of her website, French Learning Connections, that will focus on the purpose of the website and its intended audience. She will share the learning goals that are specific, relevant and achievable. Participants will learn how the Universal Design for Learning Approach (UDL) was used to guide the development of the website such as offering different ways information is presented (visual and auditory). She will explain the specific activities and resources (music, movies, print and audio books, virtual tours of cultural sites) that are included in the website that help students understand and speak French as well as understand aspects of French culture throughout the world. Participants will also learn the different ways she connected with her students that helped her build upon and improve the website to meet their specific desires and needs. Participants in this session should be encouraged at the end of this innovation station session to explore different website development tools, the additional information given about UDL, and communication options for connecting with their students through interactive, engaging websites that they will feel confident to build for use in online learning.
Resource Links:
The French Learning Connections (website):
https://abauserm13.wixsite.com/websiteThe French Learning Connections videotaped presentation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NOzBMv7ewRGBsp49hLSV_RQD_Yzp08ez/view?usp=sharing
