Alerte Terre!: An Interactive Lecture Activity on Environmental Topics
This material was originally developed through
Merlot as part of its collaboration with the SERC Pedagogic Service.
Initial Publication Date: August 27, 2010
Summary
In this Interactive Lecture Demonstration, students will predict the main issues that might be included in short French language videos treating topics such as endangered species, organic farming, the effect of aerosols on the environment, pollution and sustainable development. They will then experience the videos and reflect on how their predictions were accurate or different than what they saw in the video. Students will subsequently produce a written summary of their learning experience and recount the evolution of their thought process on the topic.
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Learning Goals
1. Students will learn new French vocabulary to talk about the environment.
2. Students will learn to use visual cues and prior knowledge to negotiate meaning from a target language video text.
3. Students will reflect on the value of testing prior assumptions on environmental concepts.
4. Students will become acquainted with innovation in the Francophone world.
2. Students will learn to use visual cues and prior knowledge to negotiate meaning from a target language video text.
3. Students will reflect on the value of testing prior assumptions on environmental concepts.
4. Students will become acquainted with innovation in the Francophone world.
Context for Use
The short videos can be assigned to the students in advance. Depending on class size and time constraints, they could either present their videos and observations in class or provide the URL for their videos and their reflections about them in the class learning management system, wiki or blog.
Description and Teaching Materials
TV5 Monde Alerte Terre videos are available and is referenced in MERLOT World Languages.
A full description of the Interactive Lecture Demonstration technique is also available from SERC.
A full description of the Interactive Lecture Demonstration technique is also available from SERC.
Teaching Notes and Tips
- Instructors should review the Interactive Lecture Demonstration activity format before assigning this activity.
- The activity encourages students to activate prior knowledge and test previous assumptions about topics that are constantly in the news. It also raises consciousness about the Francophone world's attention to the environment.
- Having the students present the material in class not only gives students the opportunity to be the " guest expert", but it also allows them to think more deeply about an issue after having taken the time for reflection.
- Instructors can also use the authentic video series to teach strategies for effective listening comprehension. The brevity of the short video allows the student to do multiple viewings- once without sound, once again with sound and as many times as necessary for better comprehension. Listening in pairs or small groups is another strategy to employ.
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Assessment
Assessment will depend on whether the activity is done as an in-class presentation or an online discussion. In either case, language instructors can employ the rubrics and evaluation standards they normally use for oral and written communication.
SERC also provides presentation rubrics.
SERC also provides presentation rubrics.