Dr. Dawn Bikowski (center) with Michael Vezilich, Dean, Distance Learning Division of the Continuing Education Directorate, and Dr. Mica Hall, Associate Provost for Continuing Education
Dr. Dawn Bikowski, director of the English Language Improvement Program, was awarded a Coin of Excellence for her work with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, Calif., on Feb 15.
The project was a collaborative one, with a plenary at the “Distance Learning Online Symposium” for the Institute’s Continuing Education Directorate, Distance Learning Division. All presentations, including the plenary, were provided via Adobe Connect.
“Everyone loves the topic of online learning,” notes Bikowski. “But the devil is really in the details when it comes to learning a second language via online courses.” Creating atmospheres of risk-taking in learning, learner engagement, and just the struggles of speaking a new language via technology are some of the challenges.
Sandy Wagner, Associate Professor and Distance Learning Project Manager at the Institute, presented with Bikowski and pointed out, “For many of our faculty who are native speakers of the languages they teach, delivering instruction online is a new venture into unfamiliar territory. By learning about and experiencing best practices and applications for language learning in online environments through the symposium, they were able to understand how to incorporate more engaging, motivating, and collaborative student learning experiences. Dawn’s expertise and knowledge provided a truly beneficial professional development opportunity.”
Their plenary presentation, “Design for Virtual Learning: Promoting Pedagogical Practices in Online Instruction,” fit into the symposium theme of empowering the Institute teachers to develop new strategies and effectively utilize the affordances of Adobe Connect for delivering online instruction and provide authentic learning experiences via technology. The symposium builds on the many languages and culture resources the Institute already makes available to the public online.
“Receiving that acknowledgment of the Coin of Excellence, along with the certificate, was such an honor,” Bikowski shared. “It also showcases just how important online education is becoming today in all areas of education and around the world.”
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