Interview with Dr. Deborah Healey Part 1

This podcast is the first of a two-part interview with Dr. Deborah Healey, Emerita Professor University of Oregon.

In this interview, Dr. Healey speaks about her role in the development of Avenue Standards for Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL), and how she thinks that these new standards will benefit the Canadian language teaching and settlement sector. She addresses how the standards will affect language instructors in their practice. Dr. Healey also discusses how her experience developing the TESOL international technology standards assisted her team with the crafting of the Avenue Technology-Enhanced Language Learning standards. Moderated by Avenue’s own John Allan.

Interview with Dr. Greg Kessler, Part Two

In Part Two of our interview with Dr. Greg Kessler, a Professor of Innovative Learning Design and Technology, Dr. Kessler speaks about the practical applications of the Avenue Standards for Technology-enhanced Language Learning (TELL) for language training professionals and their learners. The conversation is rounded out by a discussion on AI and what it means for students and teachers. Moderated by Avenue’s own Paul Carter.

Poodll in Assignments, Quizzes and Forums

Presented by Justin Hunt. Justin is the founder of Poodll, a solution that helps language teachers deliver courses online.

The Avenue platform allows students to submit audio and video recordings into assignments, quizzes, forums and other locations. You can create speaking assessments, give students a way to speak to you, or to their peers, allow them to show things via their webcam, and more. You can also give audio and video feedback on student work. This feature uses a tool called Poodll. In this session the Poodll developer will demonstrate how to create and use audio and video recording activities, and give advice on best practices.

Avenue ePortfolio tips tricks

In this session, Paul Carter, Avenue mentor, developer and Live Help agent, demonstrated the latest features of the Avenue ePortfolio and Binder. The session provided an update on Moodle activity types that can be auto-collected to the ePortfolio. It also include a closer look at the Learner Progress Summary and how it relates to the artifacts that are generated in a course.

Interview with Dr. Greg Kessler, Part One

In this podcast we interview Dr. Greg Kessler, a Professor of Innovative Learning Design and Technology. In part 1, the session focused on Dr Kessler’s Graduate Program at Ohio University and an exciting new opportunity for him at the University of Calgary. Dr Kessler also spoke on his role in the development of Avenue Standards for Technology-enhanced Language Learning (TELL). Moderated by Avenue’s own Paul Carter.

Strategies and Ideas for Using Avenue with Low CLB Learners

In this webinar, Margaret Stasiak, Avenue Developer and Ontario ESL liaison, demonstrated various strategies, ideas, and tips for using teaching resources available on Avenue with CLB 1-2 and literacy learners. Margaret presented examples of various online activities from units and modules in the Avenue Course Builder, and she discussed practical considerations for using them as is or adapting them for specific needs of low-proficiency and literacy learners. The webinar also included practical tips for using online resources in different modalities.

Using the Language Companion in Your Avenue Course

Nadine Leggett, project manager at Achēv, provided an overview of the newly released professional development training titled Respect and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This self-paced training program explores Indigenous history and culture to enhance instructor’s knowledge and confidence to teach their learners Indigenous topics in their core language training courses.

Margaret Stasiak, Avenue Developer and Ontario ESL liaison, presented instructional content and perspectives for teaching Indigenous topics on Avenue. She demonstrated eUnits and modules available in Avenue’s CourseBuilder, as well as some practices that can help instructors embed Indigenous topics in their lessons, facilitate classroom discussions, and engage learners in meaningful and culturally appropriate learning activities.

Indigenous Content on Avenue – Professional Development and Instructional Materials

Nadine Leggett, project manager at Achēv, provided an overview of the newly released professional development training titled Respect and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This self-paced training program explores Indigenous history and culture to enhance instructor’s knowledge and confidence to teach their learners Indigenous topics in their core language training courses.

Margaret Stasiak, Avenue Developer and Ontario ESL liaison, presented instructional content and perspectives for teaching Indigenous topics on Avenue. She demonstrated eUnits and modules available in Avenue’s CourseBuilder, as well as some practices that can help instructors embed Indigenous topics in their lessons, facilitate classroom discussions, and engage learners in meaningful and culturally appropriate learning activities.

Using the Language Companion in Your Avenue Course

The Language Companion (uder the Binder tab) is available on Avenue in three digital versions, each for a different group of learners; ESL Literacy, Stage I and Stage II. In this webinar, content developer Margaret Stasiak demonstrated and discussed how various sections and features of the Language Companion can be used in skill-building activities, as part of in-class or asynchronous learning. Margaret also presented how the CLB section of Language Companion can be used in a course to support PBLA practices as well as develop self-directed and reflective learning.

Conducting Assessment using the Avenue tools and resources Part 2 Assessing Speaking and Writing

In this webinar, Margaret Stasiak demonstrated how to assess speaking and writing using the tools and resources available on Avenue, specifically Moodle assignment and quiz. Margaret presented examples of various assessment tasks and rubrics for different CLB levels from units and modules in the Avenue Course Builder, focusing on applying the principles of PBLA and best practices of online teaching. The webinar included a discussion of practical considerations for designing assessments appropriate for the specific skills and CLB levels for those instructors who would like to create their own content. Margaret also provided tips for administering speaking and writing assessments in different modalities.

Conducting Assessment using Avenue tools and resources (Part 1) – Assessing Listening and Reading

Avenue offers many tools and resources for conducting assessments online. In this webinar, content developer Margaret Stasiak demonstrated assessing listening and reading using the Moodle Quiz. She presented examples of various assessment tasks for different CLB levels from units and modules in the Avenue Course Builder, focusing on applying the principles of PBLA and best practices of online teaching. She also discussed practical considerations for designing assessments appropriate for the specific skills and CLB levels for those instructors who would like to create their own content. Tips for administering listening and reading assessments in different modalities were also provided.

This webinar is Part 1 in the series of two webinars on conducting assessment on Avenue. Part 2 focused on assessing speaking and writing.

Using a sandbox course to manage your course materials

In this webinar, content developer Margaret Stasiak explains how a sandbox course, available via the Avenue Course Builder, is a useful tool for managing instructional materials such as e-activities, resources and assessments. In this webinar, content developer Margaret Stasiak explores how an instructor can use a sandbox course to manage their instructional materials by storing, adapting or creating e-activities, and sharing them with a course they are teaching. The session provides practical tips and suggestions on keeping a course page uncluttered and streamlined to create a better learning/teaching experience.