Tell @ ELI

Technology Enhanced Language Learning at the English Language Institute

Making CALL Interactive

Issue 8, Spring 2005
TELL ELI Archives

Background: In this computer jigsaw activity, students will practice listening for details, taking notes, and sharing information via a private chat room. Follow-up activities promote speaking and writing skills.

The content for this particular activity is Culture Shock: Studying in the USA, a culture shock video in eight parts from the University of Richmond. (The video can be found at http://cygnet.richmond.edu/academic/book-store)

Procedures:
   1. Put students in groups of four. Assign two consecutive chapters from the video to each of the four students in each group. (Student 1 views Chapters 1 & 2 ; Student 2 views Chapters 3 & 4; Student 3 views Chapters 5 & 6; Student 4 views Chapters 7 & 8).

   2. Instruct students to access the web site (http://cygnet.richmond.edu/academic/book-store) take notes while they are viewing the two chapters. Tell them they will share information from their notes with a classmate later.

   3. After all the students have viewed their chapters and taken notes, ask them to select one or two important points from each chapter to share with their classmates. Split the class into four groups, making sure that experts for all eight chapters are in each group.

   4. Instruct students to go to Yahoo Private Chat or LECS. In the chat room, the students will share one or two highlights or important points from each chapter. The other members will read the points of interest and respond, sharing their thoughts on and personal experiences with each of the culture shock topics.

   5. For homework, students will write a summary, based on their notes, for each of their two chapters. In class the next day, students who viewed the same video chapters will compare summaries and, if there are major differences among them, consult and compare the notes they took in order to resolve differences.

   6. In class they can either discuss their experiences as related to the video or write about their experiences. If they are in the lab, they can post their thoughts on NiceNet for their classmates to read.

Variations:
1. Students could write questions of their own about culture shock, interview people, and capture it all on video.

2. Students could discuss the eight chapters, offer advice/solutions, and compile all their answers in a booklet to share with new ELI students.