School of Education Faculty of Humanities Ellen Wilkinson Building The University of Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL JOINING INSTRUCTIONS MA TESOL (83TE) & MA Educational Technology and TESOL (83TT) Onsite and Distance Study September 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 2 COURSE UNIT SELECTION (DISTANCE)... 3 WELCOME WEEK (ONSITE)... 6 ON-SITE COURSE UNIT AVAILABILITY... 8 MA TESOL PATHWAYS... 9 PRE/BACKGROUND READING (ALL STUDENTS)... 10 THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDY (DISTANCE)... 10 HOW TEACHING IS ORGANISED (DISTANCE)... 11 COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS REQUIREMENTS (DISTANCE)... 12 ADMINISTRATIVE AND TEACHING STAFF... 13 APPENDIX 1: COURSE UNIT SELECTION FORM... 15 Introduction Dear MA TESOL and MA EdTech & TESOL students, We have tried not to overload you with information in this introductory booklet. Our aim is to provide only information that is essential for you to prepare for your studies with us. Note the more technical information about the registration process is available through the MyManchester pages. So, an important task is to follow the advice provided by the admissions office to get an IT username and password, and then to log onto: my.manchester.ac.uk After you have registered, you will get access to the Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard, where you can access handbooks and other documentation for your studies, receive study skills support and meet your study colleagues. Please note that you will also receive additional information from the School of Education and the University. This booklet is only to introduce you to the MA TESOL and MA EdTech & TESOL courses. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact either one of us. However, once the course gets underway in September, the tutor who will be managing distance learner induction this year (2010) - via Blackboard - is Diane Slaouti diane.slaouti@manchester.ac.uk. Gary Motteram Course Director MA Educational Technology & TESOL gary.motteram@manchester.ac.uk Juup Stelma Course Director MA TESOL juup.stelma@manchester.ac.uk MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 2
Course Unit Selection (Distance) You will be asked to select course units during the academic online registration. For distance students, this online registration only requires you to select course units for your first year of study. In preparation for the online registration process, as well as giving you a chance to think through your MA course unit choices, we would like you to record your course unit selections on the Course Unit Selection Form - see Appendix 1. Note that you will be able to change your course unit selections later in your studies. Once completed, please email a copy to diane.slaouti@manchester.ac.uk. For ester 1 of Year 1 you should select: EDUC70020 Beyond Approaches, Methods & Techniques This is required for most MA TESOL and MA EdTech & TESOL students. We recommend this also for those of you who have a Cambridge or Trinity Diploma. Note that the recommended course unit load for distance study ester 1 is a single course unit. This allows time and space for you to get used to the work and requirements of the MA through our ester 1 distance induction programme (see the section called The First Year of Distance Study). EDUC70060 is also required for most MA TESOL and MA EdTech & TESOL students. So, for ester 2 of Year 1 you should select: EDUC70060 Language Learning & Technology Plus one more from the following list: EDUC70150 Explorations in Language EDUC70130 The Education of Language Teachers EDUC70050 Teaching & Learning Online EDUC70510 Multimedia: Design and Development To make sure that your selections satisfy the requirements of your MA course, please consult the course unit tables on the next page. If you are an MA EdTech & TESOL student, we recommend a second technology unit in ester 2 of Year 1. If you have some reason for wanting to make course unit selections that differ from the above advice, please contact: diane.slaouti@manchester.ac.uk - Diane will respond to any academic queries from new distance students in September 2012. See next page. MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 3
You can use the following table to keep a record of your course unit selections (it is the same as the table in Appendix 1). Unit EDUC70020 Title Beyond Approaches, Methods & Techniques in Language Teaching 1 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 EDUC70060 Language Learning & Technology EDUC EDUC EDUC EDUC EDUC70100 Developing Researcher Competence EDUC71000 Dissertation To help you complete this table, see the overview of course unit availability on the next page. MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 4
Distance Study Course Unit Availability MA TESOL (core, pathway, broader menu and electives) Number Title Normally taken: Credits Core course units EDUC70020 Beyond Approaches, Methods & Techniques Year 1, ester 1 15 EDUC70060 Language Learning & Technology Year 1, ester 2(!) 15 Pathway course units / broader TESOL menu / elective course units EDUC70040 Language Education as Intercultural Practice Year 2, ester 1 15 EDUC70090 Psychology of Language Learning Year 2, ester 1 15 EDUC70150 Explorations in Language Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 EDUC70130 The Education of Language Teachers Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 EDUC70221 Evaluation and Design of Educational Courseware Year 2, ester 1 15 EDUC70510 Multimedia: Design and Development Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 EDUC70050 Teaching & Learning Online Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 EDUC70031 Blended Learning in a Digital Age Year 1 or 2, ester 1 15 ISS Independent Supervised Study (details in MA TESOL handbook) Usually in Year 2 15 Researcher preparation course unit (core) EDUC70100 Developing Researcher Competence Year 3, ester 1 30 MA EdTech & TESOL (compulsory, core and electives) Number Title Normally taken: Credits Compulsory course units EDUC70020 Beyond Approaches, Methods & Techniques Year 1, ester 1 15 EDUC70060 Language Learning & Technology Year 1, ester 2 15 EDUC70031 Blended Learning in a Digital Age Year 2, ester 1 15 Core course units (choose a minimum of 1 of the following 3) EDUC70050 Teaching & Learning Online Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 EDUC70221 Evaluation and Design of Educational Courseware Year 2, ester 1 15 EDUC70510 Multimedia: Design and Development Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 Electives EDUC70130 The Education of Language Teachers Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 EDUC70150 Explorations in Language Year 1 or 2, ester 2 15 EDUC70040 Language Education as Intercultural Practice Year 2, ester 1 15 EDUC70090 Psychology of Language Learning Year 2, ester 1 15 ISS Independent Supervised Study (details in MA TESOL handbook) Usually in Year 2 15 Researcher preparation course unit (core) EDUC70100 Developing Researcher Competence Year 3, ester 1 30 Note that the course units we offer may change over time. We will make every effort to keep you up-to-date about any changes, and to respond to your needs where possible. MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 5
Welcome Week (Onsite) We will help onsite students make course unit selections during Welcome Week. The timetable for the induction week is as follows: SCHOOL WELCOME WEEK PROGRAMME FOR ONSITE STUDENTS WEDNESDAY 19 th SEPTEMBER VENUE TIME ACTIVITY PRESENTER Mansfield 10:00am A Warm Welcome from the Director of Dr Liz Smith Cooper G.20 (campus 10:10am Postgraduate Studies Library Talk Mr Ian Fishwick guide 10:25am Blackboard Overview Mr Roger Hewitt building 10.35am Health and Safety Mr Alan Jervis reference 65) 10.45am Careers talk Mrs Janet Willis 11.05am Sports talk Ms Imogen Williams 11.20am Administrative Support and Registration Masters timetables Book an appointment to see an Administrator with any registration issues B3.8 (in the Ellen Wilkinson Building, campus guide building reference 77) 2.00pm to 5.30pm Drop in session to assist with any queries you have such as registration or understanding your timetable. This session is not compulsory. Postgraduate Administrative Staff THURSDAY 20 th SEPTEMBER Anywhere with a good network connection Any time today! Health and safety induction Please see the separate flyer in your arrival pack. You must complete the online interactive Health and Safety Induction course before the end of the week. You can complete the course in a University IT cluster, in one of the IT clusters in the Ellen Wilkinson Building, at your halls of residence, on your laptop or anywhere with wireless access and headphone / speakers. It will take around one hour to complete and it is compulsory. ALTERNATE SESSIONS FOR SCHOOL WELCOME WEEK PROGRAMME FOR PART TIME STUDENTS WEDNESDAY 19 th SEPTEMBER VENUE TIME ACTIVITY PRESENTER Samuel 5.30pm A Warm Welcome from the Director of Dr Liz Smith Alexander Building 5.45pm Postgraduate Studies Blackboard Overview Mr Roger Hewitt MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 6
Room LG12 (campus guide building reference 67) 6.00pm Library Talk Mr Ian Fishwick 6.20pm Health and Safety Mrs Catherine Schofield 6.30pm Administrative Support and Registration Masters timetables Book an appointment to see an Administrator with any registration issues B3.8 (in the Ellen Wilkinson Building, campus guide building reference 77) 2.00pm to 5.30pm Drop in session to assist with any queries you have such as registration or understanding your timetable. This session is not compulsory. Postgraduate Administrative Staff THURSDAY 20 th SEPTEMBER Anywhere with a good network connection Any time today! Health and safety induction Please see the separate flyer in your arrival pack. You must complete the online interactive Health and Safety Induction course before the end of the week. You can complete the course in a University IT cluster, in one of the IT clusters in the Ellen Wilkinson Building, at your halls of residence, on your laptop or anywhere with wireless access and headphone / speakers. It will take around one hour to complete and it is compulsory. MA TESOL / MA EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & TESOL WELCOME SESSIONS : THURSDAY 20 th SEPTEMBER 10:00-11:00 Introduction MA TESOL and EdTech & TESOL C2.17 C-block, Ellen 11:00-12:00 Getting to know you activity Wilkinson Building Lunch break 1:00-2:00 2:00-3:00 Individual meetings with tutors to discuss course unit selections. Introduction to the Developing Academic Competence (Study Skills) programme Students from the MA Intercultural Communication course will join us! Sign up on tutor s doors; Level 2 C-block Ellen Wilkinson Building Room to be confirmed on the day MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 7
ON-SITE course unit availability (EDUC70102 is 30 credits; all others are 15 credits). ester 1 Time \ Day 10:00-12:00 1:00-3:00 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY EDUC70061 Language Learning and Technology GM Room: B3.3 MA Academic Support Forum JS Room: A2.16 EDUC70090 Psychology of Lang Learning JS Week 1-2: BS3 Dover Street Week 3-12: C2.32 EDUC70220 Evaluation and Design of Educational Software GM Room: B3.3 11 1pm EDUC70031 Blended Learning in a Digital Age SB Room: B3.17 EDUC70020 Beyond Approaches, Methods and Techniques ZOS Room: C2.17 EDUC70040 Language Education as Intercultural Practice RF Room: C2.17 ester 2 Time \ Day 10:00-12:00 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY EDUC70102 Developing Researcher Competence (30 credits) RF/EJ/JS Room: B4.3 EDUC70150 Explorations in Language All Tutors Room: C2.17 Lunch Break EDUC70510 Multimedia: Design and Development SB Week1,2,4,5,7 and 9-12: B3.3 Week 3,6 & 8: Mansfield 2.1 EDUC70130 The Education of Language Teachers DS Room: C2.17 EDUC70050 Teaching and Learning Online GM Online (no actual class on Friday) 1:00-3:00 MA Academic Support Forum JS Room: C2.32 EDUC70150 Explorations in Language All Tutors Room: C2.17 Core course units for most MA TESOL and MA Ed Tech & TESOL students Additional core course unit for MA Ed Tech & TESOL students MA TESOL students normally take three of these four course units MA Ed Tech & TESOL students normally take one of these course units For requirements for MA TESOL Pathways see next page. Tutors: SB Susan Brown Ellen Wilkinson C.2.7 Susan.A.Brown@manchester.ac.uk RF Richard Fay Ellen Wilkinson C 2.22 Richard.Fay@manchester.ac.uk EJ Eljee Javier Ellen Wilkinson C 3.32 Eljee.Javier@manchester.ac.uk GM Gary Motteram Ellen Wilkinson C 2.23 Gary.Motteram@manchester.ac.uk ZOS Zeynep Onat-Stelma Ellen Wilkinson C 2.5 Zeynep.Onat-Stelma@manchester.ac.uk DS Diane Slaouti Ellen Wilkinson A1.18 Diane.Slaouti@manchester.ac.uk JS Juup Stelma Ellen Wilkinson C 2.24 Juup.Stelma@manchester.ac.uk MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 8
MA TESOL Pathways For all new MA TESOL participants (but not those on the MA EdTech & TESOL) which have chosen to follow a pathway should consult the following information when selecting course units. These pathways enable a named specialisation within the main TESOL area. So, in addition to the general MA TESOL there are pathways in: MA TESOL (Intercultural Education) abbreviated below as ICE MA TESOL (Teacher Education) abbreviated below as TEd MA TESOL (Educational Technology) abbreviated below as EdTech. The requirements for the general MA TESOL and for each of these three pathways are presented in the table below. Course unit availability is covered earlier in separate sections for distance and onsite participants. General (no pathway) Intercultural Education (ICE) MA TESOL New pathways Teacher Education (TEd) Educational Technology (EdTech) Core course units: Pathway course units: Broader TESOL Menu Normally, you must take. Electives Research Preparation 1 Educ70100/2 Dissertation at least 3 from: Educ70040 Educ70090 Educ70130 Educ70150 Educ70020 and Educ70061/0 Educ70040 Educ70130 Educ70031 or Educ70050 To complete the named pathway, you must take the pathway course unit, and take a focus connected to this pathway in your research preparation course unit (Educ70101/2) and in your Dissertation at least 2 from: Educ70090 Educ70130 Educ70150 at least 2 from: Educ70040 Educ70090 Educ70150 at least 2 from: Educ70040 Educ70090 Educ70130 Educ70150 Depending on your other choices, and availability in the appropriate study mode (onsite, distance), you may complete your study load with an elective / electives drawn from other programmes within the School of Education (e.g. MA EdTech & TESOL or MA DTCE) or more widely (e.g. MA IC in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures). You may also opt for an Independent Supervised Study (ISS) course unit (subject to tutor availability) All participants must take this course unit All participants must complete a Dissertation ICE pathway participants must do this with an ICE topic focus ICE pathway participants must adopt an ICE topic focus in their Dissertation TEd pathway participants must do this with a TEd topic focus TEd pathway participants must adopt a TEd topic focus in their Dissertation EdTech pathway participants must do this with an EdTech topic focus EdTech pathway participants must adopt an EdTech topic focus in their Dissertation 1 EDUC70100/70102 Developing Researcher Competence (DRC) is a core course unit for both MA TESOL and MA EdTech & TESOL participants. MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 9
Pre/Background Reading (All students) As a general background text, especially in the area of language teaching methodology, we recommend the following: Hedge, T. (2000) Teaching and learning in the language classroom. Oxford: Oxford University Press. The following also provides a useful background read and is a key text for your first course unit, Beyond Approaches, Methods and Techniques: Hall, G. (2011) Exploring English Language Teaching. London: Routledge. For MA EdTech & TESOL students we recommend: Beatty, K. (2010) Teaching and Researching Computer Assisted Language Learning. Oxford: Longman. The First Year of Study (Distance) For most of you, the first year of distance study will look as follows: Induction period: September Registration Process 17-21 September Getting access to Blackboard Induction activities 24 September Course units start in Blackboard (see below) September through December Ongoing induction support in Blackboard ester 1: 24 September - mid December Teaching period December and January Assignment writing period January Assignment submission ester 2: Early February - end of April April and May Teaching period Assignment writing period Assignment submission for semester 2 is usually in the middle of May. Note that there is no teaching activity during the (northern) summer. This is to allow both you and us a period for rest and/or other activities every year. MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 10
How Teaching Is Organised (Distance) The hub for most distance course units is the University s virtual learning environment (VLE), Blackboard Vista. Some of the Ed Tech courses, however, make use of different tools. You will be given access to the course units you register for. Blackboard enables tutors and learners to interact, share resources and work collaboratively in a safe, easy to maintain online environment. It runs on your Internet browser like any other website. No software needs to be downloaded to access or use Blackboard*. Logging on to Blackboard You will not be able to log on to Blackboard until you have registered as a student, including first academic and financial registration and then the subsequent computing username and password registration. Again, details about these registration processes are available through the MyManchester pages. Please follow the instructions sent by the admissions office. You log on to Blackboard by FIRST logging onto the MyManchester pages with your University of Manchester computing username and password. Once you log on, you will see all the course units you have registered for listed on your screen. Note, although you may be able to access the course unit spaces in Blackboard earlier in September, some tutors may not make the actual materials available until closer to semester start. You may then encounter a holding message from the course unit tutor. Main features of Blackboard This table summarises the main features offered by Blackboard: Materials Communication tools Assessment Access to courseware, e.g. handouts, reading lists, links, tasks, exercises, graphics, bibliographies, audio and video files Synchronous (e.g. chat) & asynchronous (discussion groups, email) Announcements (calendar) Quizzes and surveys (Assignment submission in some course units) Most course units follow a Blackboard structure roughly like the one above, and in general, you will be expected to access the course regularly and be an active participant. Some tutors use Blackboard in slightly different ways. For example, some course units offer a very substantial set of materials, but a quieter communications area. Others expect you to make regular contributions to the discussion forum. Some tutors use video and/or audio, but others do not. Assignments are submitted electronically through Blackboard. For details on the computer and internet access requirements, see the next page. MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 11
Computer and Internet Access Requirements (Distance) All distance course units require regular, reliable access to the Internet. A significant amount of course materials will be available online, and you will need access to the Internet to be in regular contact with your tutors and fellow students. You will also need to consult online journals and databases on a regular basis. Distance students are normally required to access materials, complete online tasks, watch online video clips and react to input and opinions offered by tutors and peers. As a distance learner, you are not only required to have access to the necessary technology and the internet, but also expected to be actively engaged in your studies throughout the period each course unit runs. Regular, focused and timely participation should enable you to meet the Course s learning outcomes. Students located in areas where authorities strictly control internet access have experienced problems in the past. While we will do our best to find alternative ways to deliver materials to you, such a situation is likely to compromise the distance study experience. Your computer and Internet connection You will need a computer powerful enough to enable you to browse internet pages and watch online video clips. This means that some type of broadband connection is required. A dial-up connection will not be sufficient. A headset and video camera will be useful for some course units and online tutorials. Software The following software should be installed on your machine: An Internet browser, such as a recent version of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome, or Safari. Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint (or equivalent, compatible package, e.g. Open Office). Adobe Acrobat Reader (www.adobe.co.uk/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) or Foxit (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/). Windows Media Player version 9 or later (www.microsoft.com/downloads). WinZip or equivalent (which enables you to compress and uncompress files; http://www.winzip.com/downwzeval.htm). RealPlayer (uk.real.com). Flash player (adobe.com) Most up-to-date computers will have much, if not all, of this software already installed.. If you choose to use a tablet PC, you may find that some software for the Educational Technology oriented units won t run. If you do work on a tablet it is advisable to have an external keyboard for typing. If you access the Internet, including standard multimedia content, in your day-to-day life, it is likely that your computer is sufficiently powerful to do the MA. In our experience, individual students computing skills are important for their success on the Course. If you feel that what we have described on this page sounds unfamiliar, we recommend that you spend some time familiarising yourself and practising basic computing skills such as: Word-processing Accessing Internet pages Downloading files Playing multimedia files from websites Sending email messages with attachments Using spreadsheet software to organise data and make charts MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 12
Administrative and Teaching Staff To telephone us from outside the UK: +44 (0)161 ******* Administrative Staff Room Tel. E-mail Michael Ruppli Admissions (0161) 306 1311 pg-education@manchester.ac.uk Georgia Irving Course Secretary (onsite students only) (0161) 275 3785 Georgia.Irving@manchester.ac.uk Gail Divall Progression and distance Chris Chadwick Progression (0161) 275 3390 gail.steeden@manchester.ac.uk/ christine.m.chadwick@manchester.ac.uk Teaching Staff Room Tel. E-mail Susan Brown Lecturer in Educational Technology C 2.7 (0161) 275 3682 Susan.A.Brown@manchester.ac.uk MA Teaching: Blended Learning in a Digital Age; Multimedia Design and Development; Explorations in Language. Research Interest: Sustainability, globalisation and digital literacy; Ecology of online/distance teacher education; Web2.0; Social software. Richard Fay Lecturer in Education (TESOL) C 2.22 (0161) 275 3692 Richard.Fay@manchester.ac.uk MA Teaching: Language Education as Intercultural Practice; Developing Researcher Competence. Research Interests: Language education as intercultural practice; intercultural aspects of distance education (appropriate distance learning methodology); narrative research methods; intercultural citizenship. Eljee Javier Teaching Fellow C3.32 contact by email Eljee.Javier@manchester.ac.uk MA Teaching: Developing Academic Competence; Developing Researcher Competence. Research Interests: Language teacher identity; Native/non-native speaker issues; TESOL in international contexts; Narrative approaches. Gary Motteram Senior Lecturer in Education (TESOL) C 2.23 (0161) 275 3431 Gary.Motteram@manchester.ac.uk MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 13
Course Director: MA Educational Technology & TESOL MA Teaching: Language Learning and Technology; Teaching and Learning Online; Evaluation and Design of Educational Software; Explorations in Language. Research Interests: Technology in language education; Distance teacher education; E- learning. Zeynep Onat-Stelma Lecturer in Education C2.5 (0161) 275 3901 Zeynep.Onat-Stelma@manchester.ac.uk MA Teaching: Beyond Approaches, Methods and Techniques (onsite); Explorations in Language. Research Interests: Teacher change and development; Teaching English to young learners. Diane Slaouti Senior Lecturer in Education (TESOL) A1.18 (0161) 275 5308 Diane.Slaouti@manchester.ac.uk MA Teaching: Developing Academic Competence (distance); Beyond Approaches, Methods and Techniques (distance); Education of Language Teachers; Explorations in Language. Research Interests: Technology and teacher development; The impact of technology on local teaching contexts; Teacher adoption and use of ICT; Online teaching; Study skills and digital literacies. Juup Stelma Lecturer in TESOL C2.24 (0161) 275 3694 Juup.Stelma@manchester.ac.uk Course Director: MA TESOL MA Teaching: Developing Academic Competence (onsite); Psychology of Language Learning; Explorations in Language; Developing Researcher Competence. Research Interests: Ecological perspectives; Spoken language; Teaching English to young learners; Research education. MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 14
Appendix 1: Course Unit Selection Form (For distance students only) Please record your course unit selections on this form. Use the course unit tables further up in this document to help you think through your course unit selections. Then copy and save the page as a separate file, and return a copy to diane.slaouti@manchester.ac.uk Name: Registration Number: E-mail: Unit Title Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 EDUC70020 Beyond Approaches, Methods & Techniques in Language Teaching EDUC70060 Language Learning & Technology EDUC EDUC EDUC EDUC EDUC70100 Developing Researcher Competence EDUC71000 Dissertation MA TESOL / EdTech & TESOL 15