Abstract+&+Proposal


 * Abstract and Proposal:**

Title: Making the Most out of Social Web Tools to Create New Learning Cultures for Your 21st Century Classes

1. **Abstract:** New technologies and social web tools known as Web 2.0, such as (Blogs, Wikis, Twitter, Facebook, Nings, and Social Bookmarking) can be integrated with face-to-face EFL courses to create effective blended elearning programs to enhance and support teaching and learning in EFL environments, such as those in the GCC states.

This presentation explains the importance of integrating new technologies in the 21st century classroom and discusses best practices to design and facilitate an EFL blended program for university students.The presentation will entail Web 2.0 tools, and a case study in an application of these tools with students at Kuwait University.

Participants at this session will sample some uses of easily accessible technology, see how Web 2.0 tools can be utilized to create new cultures of fun informal learning and teaching through some examples of cross-cultural online projects, and explore why informal learning is a useful approach to learning online.

2. **Scope of and Required Training Services:** The main target of the session is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to start designing and implementing their own online programs that should support their face-to-face teaching and learning.

A presentation on the main topic with online guest speakers from the Webheads Community of Practice who will talk to the audience about their experience using some of the social web tools for their classes and for their own professional development.
 * Part 1**: MVPresentation (60 to 75 minutes)

A hands-on mini workshop when participants will actually design and create their online extensions / syllabi, using wikis or blogs and integrating social web tools of their choice. (This activity might be done in groups to encourage collaborative teacher-project work and save time).
 * Part 2**: Workshop (45 minutes) - 11:15 - 12:00

February 2009
 * When:**

Day 1: (Tuesday, Feb. xx, 2009) 1000 am - 1200 noon (7 am - 9 am GMT) Day 2: (Wednesday, Feb. xx, 2009) 1200 noon – 0200 pm ( 9 am - 11 am GMT)
 * Timings:**

It is expected that after the training, faculty should be able to: • Incorporate new Web 2.0 tools with confidence into their teaching and learning practices. • Become instructional designers instead of traditional teachers. • Adapt to the current changes taking place on the Web, which offer great opportunities for learning and teaching.
 * Projected Outcomes**