The World of Work Virtual Conference May 2010

 

Perspectives on Technology: Workplace English Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Pete Sharma
Title	The impact of new technology on language teaching, learning and assessment.
Abstract	There can be no denying the impact of technology on the teaching and learning of languages. Nevertheless, the use of technology is a hugely controversial area and disagreement exists at every level: about the respective roles of the teacher and the technology; the relative merits of face-to-face teaching and on-line teaching; the value of web-based interactive exercises; the benefits and constraints of on-line testing. Many ELT teachers practitioners question whether it is possible to use the technology well, and if the benefits are worth the investment in time and training. This short, opening presentation will evaluate the impact of new technology on three areas: language teaching, language learning and assessment. It will describe the key changes we are seeing in each of these three areas, including: new methods of course delivery and course design; new approaches to language teaching; new, digital materials; cutting edge-learning tools and developments in on-line assessment. The session will then provide a brief overview of the many controversies in the field of TELL (Technology-enhanced language learning). By the end of the talk, conference participants will have an understanding of some of the key issues in this exciting and controversial area.
Bio	Pete Sharma is currently working as a lecturer in EAP (English for Academic Purposes). He worked for many years in business English and is now the Director of training for Pete Sharma Associates Ltd, which runs workshops in using educational technology. He is on the committee of the IATEFL Learning Technologies SIG and was previously the Newsletter editor of the CALL Review. Pete writes extensively on technology in language teaching, and is co-author of The Internet and Business English (2003 Summertown Publishing) and Blended Learning (2007 Macmillan). He has written multimedia content for Macmillan’s in company CD-ROMs and The Business Advanced DVD-ROM, and his regular business English e-lesson has thousands of subscribers worldwide. His latest book as co-author is Networking in English in the Macmillan business skills series. Pete blogs and tweets regularly on technology at www.psa.eu.com.

Russell Whitehead
Title	An observer's reflection of the 2009 World of Work Forum
Abstract	Cambridge ESOL hosted the first World of Work Forum last year. From David Crystal’s observations about language and current technologies through to the fruitful sharing of experiences and ideas in discussions, the participants generated much food for thought. Russell Whitehead will provide an observer’s view of the three-day event, drawing out what he sees as the main points for reflection.
Bio	Russell Whitehead is an independent author and consultant. His involvement with Cambridge ESOL as principal examiner, item writer and exam chair (he is currently Chair of BULATS) stretches back to 1993. He has written a number of test-related books and authored large quantities of e-material. He provides consultancy in assessment and materials to universities and publishers.

Gavin Dudeney
Title	Learning & Technology for the Workplace
Abstract	In this brief presentation I will look at the application of 'new technologies' on the learning process in the workplace. How do we help learners leverage the technologies that surround them to the benefit of their learning, and what implications does it have for teachers and their current practice
Bio	Gavin is Director of Technology for The Consultants-E, an innovative online training and development consultancy specialising in the application of technologies in teaching and training, and the development of online training courses. He is also author of The Internet & The Language Classroom (CUP, 2000, 2007) and (with Nicky Hockly) How to Teach with Technology (Longman, 2007)

Deshini Chetty
Title	BULATS Online - The Global Benchmark
Abstract	BULATS Online is an innovative online assessment tool from Cambridge ESOL. It provides online language assessments for the workplace that can be taken on-demand. This presentation will provide an overview of the tool and how it can be used in the workplace.
Bio	Deshini Chetty is the Global Manager for Workplace Assessment at Cambridge ESOL. She gained an MSc in Teaching English for Specific Purposes from Aston University and also secured an MBA from Oxford Brookes University. Additionally, Deshini has a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from the University of Natal in South Africa and is a Fellow of The Institute of Sales and Marketing Management. She has 16 years' experience in the EFL/ESOL industry with a background in teaching, business English training, publishing and testing. She joined Cambridge ESOL in 2007 after holding prominent positions in international commercial management in the EFL sector. Deshini's current role within Cambridge ESOL is primarily concerned with driving the global strategy for the workplace assessment portfolio, an essential part of Cambridge ESOL’s Business Development.

Carl Dowse
Title	The digital business English classroom: thoughts from the chalk-face
Abstract	From discussions, both online and face-to-face, with English teachers around the world, it is clear that there is a great desire to learn about and exploit the potential of new, relatively easy to use information and communication technologies to enhance teaching practices. It is equally apparent that many teachers have misgivings about the use of technology in teaching and view its enthusiastic adoption with some trepidation. While some business English trainers are able make successful use of these technologies in their work with corporate clients and business students, many others it would seem face insurmountable barriers just trying to get online during their in-house training sessions. After a brief outline of some of the current trends in teaching technologies, the discussion will open up to consider these issues and the apprehensions, difficulties, and successes teachers have had in response to these developments.
Bio	Carl Dowse is currently a lecturer responsible for undergraduate business-related English modules at the FOM - Fachhochschule für Ökonomie & Management in Essen, Germany. He also works for The Consultants-e, an award-winning teaching-with-technology educational consultancy, as a facilitator on on-line courses in ICT in the classroom, Moodle basics, using wikis for teaching and e-moderation. Carl is currently the Web Coordinator for IATEFL BESIG. He recently co-developed and now moderates the first ever fully online version of the Cert IBET course. Carl has a special interest in all aspects of teaching with Web 2.0 technologies and has written online materials for the CUP sponsored English360 learning platform, has developed a blended learning teacher's guide for Cornelsen and is currently developing corporate English training courses for delivery online while continuing to run teacher training workshops in the use of technology in teaching. He has a Masters degree from Warwick University and has also studied at the universities of Oxford and Bologna.

Neil Jones

Bio

Neil Jones is Assistant Director, Cambridge ESOL Research and Validation. He joined Cambridge ESOL in the 1990s with a PhD from the University of Edinburgh on the application of item response theory, which he put to good use developing analysis systems and areas of innovation including item banking and computer-adaptive testing. His current interests focus on the intersection of assessment and learning, particularly in relation to developing practical approaches to formative assessment linked to formal measurement models. This intersects with the construction and use of language proficiency frameworks, such as Asset Languages, a multilingual assessment scheme developed as part of the UK's national languages strategy, and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. He is Vice Director of SurveyLang, a consortium currently working to deliver the European Survey on Language Competences.