INFORMATICS + FOREIGN LANGUAGE(S) = COOL (COOPERATIVE OPEN LEARNING)

INTERDISCIPLINARY LESSONS AND PROJECTS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Interdisciplinary teaching is cool - in the sense of super -, because the benefits are numerous, for learners as well as for teachers. And it is also COOL - Cooperative Open Learning -, a teaching method based on the work of Montessori and Freinet that allows flexible, independent and interest-guided learning.
After a brief overview of open learning and the Austrian model-project “COOL – Cooperative Open Learning” the paper will report on experiences in interdisciplinary teaching in computer science education and foreign languages. It will also outline the benefits of interdisciplinary lessons and try to explain from a neurodidactical perspective why they are effective.
The paper will show two aspects of technology in teaching and learning: technology as a tool that supports the learning process and outcome in foreign language lessons and technology as a subject called informatics or computer science education where pupils or students can create their own applications or tools for computer-supported language learning.
Finally there will be given some ideas for interdisciplinary lessons and projects in computer science and foreign languages.