Building in many ways on September’s Workshop, the Jeonju - North Jeolla October Workshop discussed virtual exchanges and storytelling, and the importance of each of these in light of the pandemic and changes in learning.
Dr Tory S. Thorkelson’s (Hanyang University) workshop, ‘Storytelling & Language Learning’, provided a wide-ranging overview on the importance and utility of storytelling. Beginning with a short note about the history of storytelling and its imbrication with humanity, Dr Thorkelson then elaborated on a variety of activities that centered storytelling. Storytelling, he said, was: an opportunity to find a new vocabulary, providing students speaking opportunities, fun & engaging, and an opportunity to improve fluency and confidence as it was their story they were telling. Tying in to last month’s workshop on AI by Dennis, Dr Thorkelson noting that if students were encouraged to tell their own stories in their own words, they would be less likely to use ChatGPT.
Tying well into last month’s workshop by Silayan, Rhea Metituk (Myongji University) & Robert Remmerswaal’s (Sojo University) workshop ‘Designing your own Virtual Exchange’ provided both theoretical and practical insights into the opportunities of doing virtual exchanges. Recognizing the importance of digitality – particularly from the onset of the Pandemic – Rhea and Robert spoke to the way that international exchanges were crucial learning programs. A virtual exchange is when two classrooms from different countries or cultures work collaboratively – whether over a long or short period – with shared goals. Rhea and Robert spoke about their own experience, sharing lessons and successes, as well as providing attendees with a guiding handout to assist them in setting up their own exchanges.
Article written by chapter member Frank Karioris
