MaryElizabeth Dunsky (MaryElizabeth.Dunsky@thealanco.com)
Fri, 05 Feb 1999 09:03:16 -0600
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 09:03:16 -0600 From: "MaryElizabeth Dunsky" <MaryElizabeth.Dunsky@thealanco.com> Subject: Greetings from a new member!
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I am very excited to have recently connected with this forum! As a publisher of educational materials for students of foreign languages (French, Spanish, and German) and study guides for high school debate, my interests center on how to promote and nurture "active learning" skills and habits through print and (future) electronic publications/learning tools.
As a long-time student myself, I see a need for academic skill building that better prepares students for, yes, finding a job and functioning in the world as informed individuals! In my view, learning tools used in elementary and secondary and even college level education that initiate students to active skill-building in "networking" (in the sense of seeking out and sharing information) with others will be key for the next generation.
I am interested in design strategies for building websites and ezines that engage and initiate students in participation in such skill building within a "community" of learning. How does one build an interactive web-based "learning community" that keeps it's educational focus? How can we extend and connect web/technology based learning to condition students to also reach out and use the basic/conventional methods of information gathering, such as seeking out people in the community for face to face conversations, and using the library for information gathering?!
I am also interested in second language acquisition. The web provides a tremendous opportunity for an exchange of cultural information (the culture of daily life in real time), and for dialogue between native speakers and language learners. While the technology to accomplish such an end is already readily available, a primary challenge remains: how best to structure and facilitate such an exchange!
I look forward to discussing these and other issues with you all!
Best regards,
Mary Elizabeth Dunsky
BA, Philosophy, Wellesley College, '88
MA, French, Syracuse University, '93
MA, French Literature, Washington University in St. Louis, '94
Publisher and Editor, The Alan Company
3960 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108
MaryElizabeth.Dunsky@thealanco.com
P.S.: I would be happy to send a free sample issue of our foreign language magazines (La Vie, La Luz, Das Leben) or of our debate materials to those interested! We are a small operation and would love new subscribers!
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