Nedbailik S., Staton M. Interactive approach to teaching English composition/composing research (through the experience of participating in an experimental project). LIFELONG EDUCATION: The 21st Century.
2014. № 4 (8). DOI: 10.15393/j5.art.2014.2647


Issue 4 (8)

Innovative approaches to lifelong learning
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Interactive approach to teaching English composition/composing research (through the experience of participating in an experimental project)

Nedbailik S
PhD, associate professor at the Department of German and French Languages at the Institute of Foreign Languages (Petrozavodsk State University)
(Petrozavodsk)
snedbailik@mail.ru
Staton M
PhD, instructor at Ball State University
(Muncie, USA)
polyakov@bsu.edu
Keywords:
constructivism
interactive methods
group projects
research papers
learning space
interactive technology
interactive assignments.		 Abstract: the article aims to analyze the practice of teaching English Composition / Composing Research to university students in an interactive environment. It is based on the authors' impressions and follow-up discussion of the Interactive Learning Space Initiative (ILS) at Ball State University (Indiana, USA). The authors point out that the concept of interactive learning relies on the constructivist philosophy of education, therefore, an instructor should be familiar with the theory of constructivism in education and with deriving pedagogical concepts. The article also briefly outlines the history of high-tech interactive learning development at American universities. The authors pay special attention to the following aspects of interactive teaching: use of interactive learning space in node chair classrooms; group work and group project organization; creating the assignments aimed at interactive learning; use of interactive classroom technology and increased reliance upon students' use of personal electronic devices in class. The paper shows the flexibility of in-class work methodological improvement in a real educational process. Instructors should consider and mitigate the challenges associated with students’ different perceptions of a new learning environment.
The authors emphasize that implementation of interactive technology in educational process lets students manage their own learning. Furthermore, it becomes a prerequisite for the success and effectiveness of education process not only in the American educational system, but also throughout the whole Europe. The authors conclude that teachers should share their experience, present teaching techniques, conduct open lessons (workshops) and publish methodological materials in order to improve the quality of teaching.
Paper submitted on: 11/09/2014; Accepted on: 12/20/2014; Published online on: 12/24/2014.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15393/j5.art.2014.2647