Innovations

In order to investigate appropriate and effective pedagogy in the use of multimedia language labs, CEMLL has devised a number of teaching and learning innovations to target specific language skills.

In addition, CEMLL has established a Reward & Recognition Scheme to support Languages colleagues, both internally in the University of Ulster (through the CEMLL Innovation Fellowship Award) and externally in other Higher Education institutions in the UK, (through the Multimedia Language Lab Teaching Award), to propose and develop projects of interest which explore the use of multimedia language labs in teaching and learning.

Through the integration of computer technology with more traditional teaching and learning methods, the Centre is using a range of multimedia applications and is concentrating on six main projects:

1. Teaching for transition (to assess language competency through diagnostics testing and develop computer-mediated grammar teaching and learning support)
2. Task based learning (to promote student engagement through a variety of ICT tasks and enhance the range of web and intranet-based course and learning support materials available to language students in French and Irish)
3. Irish Pronunciation (to improve pronunciation skills through computer-based practice, integration of media and contextualisation of sounds)
4. French Translation (to enlist peer collaboration for computer-supported translation activities)
5. Preparation and Support for the Year Abroad (to familiarise students with online tools/resources)
6. Interactive Interpreting (to devise digital interpreting exercises to structure skills progression and foster independent practice)

CEMLL wins CIES Awards for 2 projects

Two CEMLL teams won awards from the CIES Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, CETL (NI): Institutional E-learning Services (CIES). The two projects are detailed here.

Through CEMLL's internal Reward & Recognition Scheme, CEMLL is also supporting colleagues in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures to conduct other innovations, including "Vodcasts in Spanish grammar" by Dr. Victoria Ríos Castaño - University of Ulster

Multimedia Language Lab Teaching Awards - External

Through CEMLL's UK-wide Reward & Recognition Scheme a number of other projects in Higher Education institutions in the UK are being supported:

1. Queen Mary University of London - Teaching Techniques for Multimedia Language Labs, led by Martin Barge (project proposal winner 2007-2008) (report)
2. University of Portsmouth - The role of student audio casting and production in the language learning curriculum, led by Dr. Margaret Clarke, Rose Clark & John Wrigglesworth (project proposal winner 2008-2009)
3. University of the West of England - Preparing students for their year abroad using second life, led by Dr. Maricarem Gil and Susanna Romans-Roca (project proposal winner 2009-2010)

In praise of the scheme, Martin Barge of Queen Mary University of London said the the award
..provided an effective structure within which to approach the task in terms of planning, setting objectives and carrying out the research and that the final report and presentation "provided a useful framework for us to collate, analyse and disseminate our research".

CEMLL award winners have presented on their findings and work-in-progress at the 3rd CEMLL Digital Language Lab Symposium, held in Belfast on 18th September 2009.