From print to digital, from static to dynamic - a podcast from BALEAP Sheffield PIM 2014
Channel: Dustin Hosseini
Date: 2020-04-15

BALEAP Professional Interests Meeting at the University of Sheffield, 29 November 2014.

A recording by John Wrigglesworth interviewing Dustin Hosseini

From print to digital, from static to dynamic: enabling EAP tutors with the knowledge and training to integrate collaborative, interactive activities online.

Pre-sessional programmes in the UK can often be intensive learning and teaching environments where tutors can feel overwhelmed by the significant amount of print and static materials they receive and must process.
The BALEAP (2008) Competency Framework for Teachers of English for Academic Purposes (CFTEAP) indicates that EAP practitioners should have:
• the knowledge and understanding of electronic media and modes [of assessment](p4);
• the knowledge and understanding of new technologies that can support independent learning (p7);
• and the ability to implement IT into the delivery [of teaching] (p8)

However, the CFTEAP does not appear to directly address the competencies specific to ICT and digital literacies that EAP practitioners require to actively and successfully achieve the aforementioned points. EAP practitioners must receive appropriate knowledge and training in order to take full advantage of technologies integrated into the learning and teaching process. Failure to implement and support knowledge exchanges and relevant training can lead to a static ‘electronic document repository’ and ‘poor pedagogical development’ when integrating e-learning activities on VLEs (Badge, Cann and Scott 2005).One solution to this issue is to digitise and dynamise learning and teaching materials by using virtual learning environments (VLEs) to integrate technology into learning and teaching. This will ultimately help EAP practitioners save time and monitor student participation while actively engaging learners (Jisc infoNet 2012). Therefore, this presentation aims to outline concisely what knowledge and training EAP tutors and programme directors should obtain in order to effectively integrate technology into the classroom.

At the time of this recording, Dustin was a senior EAP tutor with remit for learning technology at Coventry University. He advocated integrating technology to facilitate and streamline learning/teaching and to develop student and tutor digital literacies.