Publication
Project
Wix AI created art
Final Compilation
My innovation proposal focuses on implementing a blended learning environment in the foreign language classroom, utilizing technology-based language learning programs such as DuoLingo and QTalk, alongside content gamification tools like Kahoot and Quizziz to enhance teacher-led instruction. This approach was the basis for my article titled "Enhancing Language Learning by Fostering a Growth Mindset through the Creation of a Blended Learning Environment." The process of authoring this article was a rewarding experience, allowing me to develop and outline and then refine my ideas with the valuable feed forward provided on my rough draft from my classmates. Their feed-forward helped me identify areas needing attention or further elaboration and suggested including personal stories to make the article more relatable, which significantly improved the final product.
In my final draft of the article, I emphasize the importance of cultivating a growth mindset in students, regardless of how meticulously lessons are prepared. A growth mindset fosters resilience, encourages persistence through challenges, and enhances overall learning outcomes. By incorporating activities that promote a growth mindset, students can view their abilities as developable through effort and learning, rather than as fixed and static. This approach helps students overcome the initial resistance often associated with language learning and empowers them to take ownership of their educational journey. Therefore, fostering a growth mindset should be a fundamental component of lesson planning to ensure students are better prepared to embrace challenges and achieve success in the foreign language classroom.
Additionally, I created a media project interviewing the creator of QTalk, which posed several technical challenges but provided a rich learning experience. I used various tools, including Zoom, Canva, and CapCut, to produce the podcast and learned valuable lessons about managing content and editing. The project reinforced the idea that technology, when effectively integrated with traditional teaching methods, can create an engaging and effective learning environment. Overall, this process highlighted the importance of combining innovative teaching strategies with a growth mindset to enhance language learning outcomes and prepare students for success in a globalized world.
Final reflection on the publication project
The core of my innovation proposal is the implementation of a blended learning environment in the foreign language classroom. This approach leverages technology-based language learning programs such as DuoLingo and QTalk, along with content gamification tools like Kahoot and Quizziz, that enhance teacher-led instruction. For this reason, I chose to write an article titled, “Enhancing language learning by fostering a growth mindset through the creation of a blended learning environment.”
Authoring an article for publication has never been on my list of goals. However, the experience has been immensely rewarding, allowing me to develop an idea and see it evolve into something more substantial than I had initially envisioned. The article was significantly enhanced by the feed-forward I received from my classmates, which was invaluable in refining my work. The feed-forward helped me identify areas that needed more attention or further elaboration. Additionally, I was advised to include more personal stories to make the article more relatable. I carefully considered all the suggestions as I reread and edited my article to convey the intended message effectively.
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The central premise of my article is that, regardless of how meticulously we prepare our lessons, it is crucial to incorporate activities that cultivate a growth mindset in our students. A growth mindset fosters resilience, encourages persistence through challenges, and enhances overall learning outcomes. By integrating activities that promote a growth mindset, we enable students to view their abilities as developable through effort and learning, rather than as fixed and static. These activities not only help students overcome the initial resistance often associated with language learning but also empower them to take ownership of their educational journey. Therefore, fostering a growth mindset should be a fundamental component of our lesson planning, ensuring that students are better prepared to embrace challenges and achieve success in the foreign language classroom.
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Ultimately, I believe I successfully conveyed this message to my readers. I hope they are inspired to prioritize a growth mindset when planning lessons and activities in the foreign language classroom, integrating technology to create an effective and engaging learning environment. I submitted my article to ACTFL;s official quarterly magazine, The Language Educator. I received confirmation of receipt and a message that I will hear back by October 2024.
Final draft of publication article
Publications considered for submission of article
The Language Educator Magazine -Length: approximately 1,500-3,000 words. I submitted my article and received a response indicating that I would hear back from them in October.
This is a refereed journal for second and foreign language scholars and educators. LLT publishes articles of up to 8,500 words that report on original research or present an original framework that links second language acquisition theory, previous research, and language learning and teaching practices that utilize technology.
This journal accepts finished articles with word counts of around 850–1,000 words
Publication Rough Draft Reflection
At the beginning of this project, I created an outline for a publication article based on my interests and relating to my innovation proposal. My innovation proposal centers on implementing blended learning in the foreign language classroom. Initially, I created a comprehensive outline detailing the development of my article. However, as I progressed, the article evolved organically. While I retained many elements from my original plan, I discovered that my ideas and the insights gained throughout this course significantly influenced the article's final direction. Furthermore, I developed an innovative proposal to add a goal to the existing 5 Cs set by The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). In my article, I proposed a 6th C goal: "Change"—fostering a shift in language learners' mindsets from fixed to growth.
Writing an article for publication was initially daunting, as it meant sharing my work and thoughts publicly with others in my field. Fortunately, this assignment included a peer review process for feed-forward comments. As a team, we agreed to use the same rubric as a guide to score each other's work. The average score I received before edits by four peers is 44.25.
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I received numerous helpful suggestions and corrections, many of which I adopted and considered for revisions. Some of the suggestions require that I do a little more research before adding to my final draft. Already, I have added a couple of paragraphs and made most of the technical changes proposed by my peers. In addition to receiving feed-forward, I also gave it. I peer-reviewed four articles, providing comments and technical corrections. Reading articles written by my peers was also beneficial to my own writing, as it offered new ideas on how to present my article, what content to include, and potential additions to enhance it further. Overall, the feed-forward process was very helpful.
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I intend to submit my article primarily to ACTFL’s Quarterly Magazine, The Language Educator, which imposes a word limit of 3000. Once I finalize my draft, I will ensure it complies with this requirement. Additionally, I am considering two other publications: Language Learning and Technology, which allows up to 8500 words, and Edutopia, which has a word limit of 1000. If I submit to Edutopia, I will need to revise my article to fit the requirement.
Wix AI created images
Team Rubric
Feed forward I received
Mia Fayweather
Firstly, I’m really impressed with your focus on the growth mindset. It’s an incredibly potent concept, particularly in the realm of language learning. Your innovative approach to creating a blended learning environment is commendable. The way you’ve combined traditional and digital learning tools to cater to various learning styles and boost engagement is fantastic. This is an excellent topic choice.
If you’re planning to submit your work to Language Learning & Technology, I’d suggest adding an abstract, incorporating subheadings, and increasing the number of in-text citations to align with the more formal style of this publication.
No matter where you decide to submit, including subheadings could be beneficial to break up the text and aid in transitions.
I noticed you mentioned that ACTFL has 5 goal areas that have been named the 5 Cs. (2021). Is this intended to be a citation? If so, it might need some formatting adjustments.
I’ve made a few edits to your document that I believe will enhance its clarity and impact. I hope you find them helpful."
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Score: 45/50
Amburg Jernigan
Your article is well written. The portrayal of the essential 5 C's crucial for educators teaching
foreign languages, with the addition of your own key element, arguably the most pivotal, is
commendable. The incorporation of scenarios for readers to contemplate adds depth to your
work. I have left some comments within the article and suggest a reorganization of certain
paragraphs. For instance, shifting the explanation of growth and fixed mindsets before delving
into the impacts of each mindset could enhance the coherence of your piece. Best of luck!
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Score: 42/50
Joshua Kolawole
Your draft on "Enhancing language learning by fostering a growth mindset through the creation of a blended learning environment" offers a compelling and detailed analysis of the importance of integrating a growth mindset into foreign language education.
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The feedforward is extensive and can be accessed in its completion at:
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Score: 44/50
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Samara Marin
I loved reading about how Duolingo is being implemented in your classroom. The
research and knowledge you have to back up your topic are why I gave tens for most
categories. The organization of your transition words seems a little formulaic, so I gave it
a nine; nevertheless, the flow of the paper made sense and was easy to read.
Most of the points were lost underwriting quality. The three journals you picked had
vastly different word counts, ranging from 600 to 8,500 words per article. Using the
grammar checkers I use in my English, much of what was flagged for correctness was for
“concise” language. However, it seems that, aside from some grammatical errors, your
publications of choice give you wiggle room regarding word count.
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Score 46/50
Feed forward I gave
Rose Raynor
I enjoyed reading your article about blended learning and station rotation. I’ve been contemplating adding station rotation to the elementary portion of my classroom. I’ll certainly keep your article in mind while figuring out how to implement it. During my review, I noticed that your paragraphs might have a greater impact if ordered in a different way. I offered suggestions for the order of your paragraphs. I also suggested removing titles to paragraphs and instead weaving the titles into an introductory sentence. I still think introductory sentences using the paragraph titles is a good move; however, I have reconsidered the titles prior to the paragraphs and think they make sense in your article.
Sara Heinsohn
Overall, I thought it was a very informative research paper. I have even made note of the sites you recommend and shared them with our reading specialist. My only suggestion is to remove the section headings and integrate those headings into sentences that make the piece flow more like an article. However, since my initial review, I have reconsidered the heading and think they make sense in your article. Other than that, your writing is clear and offers numerous suggestions to the reader.
Joshua Kolawole
Your article on this study is very thorough and well organized. If your goal was to introduce a study rather than a simple article on the effectiveness of ePortfolios in advanced level programs then you have succeeded. My only thought is that you have broken down each section into minute detail so that the article reads like a study rather than an article you would find in a journal. If that was the goal then disregard my comment. I’m impressed by the level of your detail on this topic.
Ashley Grundhauser
I enjoyed reading your article on blended learning. You did a good job breaking down how to to create a digital learning unit. However, I think it would be helpful for you to explain what Project based learning is and how it works and the same for Rotational blended learning. You only show one source. You might want to add a few sources to support your article including one that supports your theory that project based learning creates a better student. I encountered some issues of comprehension with your complex sentences. My advice is to restructure your long sentences. Break them down to smaller sentences so you avoid run-ons and confusion. Also, your ideas are not supported by evidence and you can add that with some sources for reference. Overall, I liked your ideas of how to remove stress from implementing your process.