Final Project

Design of a CMC Unit
 

Note:  You may choose to do this final project on your own or with a partner.  If you work with a partner, your final project will be about twice the size.

What is it worth?  40% of your grade 

Please type your answer using size-12 Times New Roman font.  Your answer should be double-spaced and would probably be at least 15 pages long (please note that this may vary widely--particularly because you might not have a written final project at all!  If that is your choice, you and I will negotiate the final project requirements).

Please note that the use of images in your project is allowed (perhaps even encouraged?), if appropriate.  In addition, the inclusion of handouts, etc. is expected.  Please use APA documentation style (or at least “some” documentation format!!).

Due Date:  Your answer is due in electronic format by noon on the last day of class and should also be posted onto the CMC forum in a section I will create (posting, again, depends on the type of final project done.

What might you do??  Your final project must include Computer-Mediated Communication as an important element.  Here are a few options!

Option #1:

The final project might be something you do in a Virtual World.  If you choose this option you would create “something” or design a series of lessons to take place in a VW that would require a comparable amount of work to those who chose other options.  In this case, you might develop some educational materials and/or tools that could be used by others in SL, most likely educational simulations (as we will discuss and work on in class).  In this case, depending on the size of the project, you might also work with a partner or team on the simulation(s) since you may bring different strengths to the project.  Under Option 1, the project would include the simulation itself (again, we’ll talk about this in class) and the supporting materials that are needed to use that simulation as a tool for language learning.

Option #2:

The final project for this course might consist of creating a complete unit that focuses on some topic related to language learning that makes use of CMC (for those of you who have taken my Teaching L2 Reading & Writing course, this option is similar to that final project).  This would include both a syllabus/overview for the unit and daily schedule, as well as a rationale for the unit, how it meets the course goals and objectives, etc.  In short, it should be a unit that you might actually use in a future class—so make it both useful and realistic!  As noted in class, this unit might evolve from some of the postings we’ve had on the CMC forum, or you might have a new idea you want to work with.  The important thing for me in terms of grading your final project is that I see a unit that focuses on some aspect of language that utilizes CMC in a way that enhances student learning.  This means that you should not use CMC in a way that has no real purpose and/or is inferior to just talking to a partner in class face-to-face.

Option #3:

If you discover that you enjoy podcasting, your final project could consist of a series of podcasts (audio and/or video).  If you choose this option, you final project would consist of the recordings and the accompanying exercises.  While not absolutely necessary, I’d suggest you develop some overlying theme for your podcasts, though they do not necessarily have to be a “unit” as in option 1.  If you choose this option, I’ll post your podcasts on the site that we’ll create together this semester.  I’d expect that you’d do 2-4 podcasts for this option.
Option 4:
You tell me!

Length of project:  This may vary “greatly” since these options produce quite different products.  However, option 2 would likely be something like 15-20 pages