How can you integrate digital technologies in your language classes productively to create cultural artefacts, participate in target language discourse, develop identities, and make an impact on one’s community? We will explore these questions in the workshop using the example of Teach About U.S., an open access blended-learning platform that hosts intercultural language projects on sustainability and political science with a special focus on American studies. We will review and try out hands-on examples of digital task formats and easy-to-use Web 2.0 tools (e.g., YouTube, online glossaries, chat and forum, online quizzes, blogs, social media). The workshop will also provide participants with sample learner texts from previous project cycles exemplifying how the aforementioned tasks and tools can be implemented and evaluated in your classroom.
All presented curricula and accompanying materials can be used free of charge on the platform itself as well as in the form of printable handouts.