Abstract:

The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) has faced unprecedented virtual learning challenges due to the global pandemic. The presenters will display engaging and interactive online class activities used to overcome these encounters and will share their experience in preparing students to become independent, responsible, and critical thinkers.

The limitations of the virtual learning environment have affected students' motivation, morale, and linguistic skills during the pandemic. As the DLIFLC moved back to face-to-face instruction, one of the institute's focus areas was to invigorate students' engagement, uplift their motivation and enhance their proficiency levels to meet the 2+/2+/2 standards.

Studies have shown that integrating technology in L2 classes provides students with various opportunities to collaborate and process the material at their own pace. Collaboration and self-regulation enhance students' sense of community, increase their motivation, and improve their language skills (Chatterjee & Correria, 2020; Wighting, 2006).

In this presentation, the presenters will share their experience adopting several technological platforms recently introduced to the DLIFLC. They will showcase how they utilized ThingLink,Flipgrid, Sway, MS Forms and Stream to design practical and engaging activities during the reading, listening, speaking and grammar hours. Also, the presenters will illustrate how to utilize MS Forms as a tool for self-reflection and self-assessment. The presenters will exhibit these tools to boost engagement and student-centered learning in online classes by converting traditional activities such as "Think, Pair, and Share" and "Instant Expert" to fit the virtual environment. Classroom samples, digital students’ newsletter, teachers' and students' feedback will be shared.

Furthermore, the presentation will focus on project-based learning (PBL) activities that were implemented to deepen students' cultural and language knowledge, during which the students learn real-life skills such as researching, presenting, debating, and critical thinking. There will be a demonstration on how to subscribe and set all these web-based tools.
At the end, the presenters will share with the audience handouts with detailed instructions on using the aforementioned online tools and some additional ideas and activities on how teachers can use these tools in their classrooms.

Keywords:

Autonomous, ThingLink, Flipgrid, Sway, MS Forms, Stream, Self-reflection, Self-assessment, Project-based Learning, Motivation, Language Learning.