Intensive English Program

Imagining California
Monterey Institute of International Studies
Content Elective II Summer 2010

Instructor: Mike Garnett Office Hours: By appointment (room C218)

Class Schedule: Mon., Wed., & Fri. Office Phone: XXX-XXXX

9:00-10:20 am Cell Phone: 831- XXX-XXXX

Classroom: C115 Email: mike.thejetties@gmail.com

Course Description:
This course is about improving your English while having fun with project work and technology.
You will work in teams and learn how to do the following: (1) create an original short film (2)
shoot, select and edit photographs (3) and write lively posts for your own Wordpress blog on the
internet. The theme of the course is your experience in California, and you will get to choose the
topic of your blog with what interests you. There will be a lot of opportunities to improve your
speaking, listening, reading and writing skills as you work in and out of the classroom. You may
even learn how to surf! You will be so proud of your final product, and will have the opportunity
to present your project during a film screening at the end of session party of the Intensive
English Program.

Course Objectives:
• To improve the fluency of students’ English while introducing a set of technologies that are
explored through hands-on tasks related to students’ personal experiences in California and at
the Intensive English Program.
• To develop the ability of students to critically analyze the value of technologies for their
language learning needs through experiential learning.
• To expose students at all levels of technical expertise to what is possible for language learning
with technology integration.
• To increase every students’ experience and/or confidence in working with technology for
language learning and personal enjoyment.

Course Project and Assignments:

The main course project requires you to partner up with at least one of your classmates. You will
be responsible for making short films, maintaining a blog using Wordpress, and shooting and
editing your own photography. You will also be responsible for completing short homework
assignments that will be announced as the course progresses, which will help you maximize your
English skills and internet presence. Stay tuned!
Course Grades:
Your grade for this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Student Products and Actions Weighting

Attendance & Active Participation 30%

Blog 25%

Short films 25%

Assignments (in class and homework activities) 20%

Student Responsibilities:
1. Attendance and active participation are required. Coming to class, being prepared, and
participating will help you improve your English. If you are going to be late or miss a class,
please email me in advance. Being absent or late to class without a good reason will result in
a lowered grade.

2. Turn in assignments on time. Late assignments may result in a lowered grade. If you know
you will be turning in an assignment late, email me in advance and we can discuss your
options.

3. You will have fun and stay positive throughout the course, making sure that your interests
and goals are being met. This includes helping others stay positive by making them smile and
helping them to meet their goals.

Teacher Responsibilities:
1. I will facilitate your project work and encourage you every step of the way

2. I will provide you with feedback on your English speaking, reading, listening and writing, as
well as feedback on your use of technology in your project work.

Materials:
You will need to bring a laptop to class every day, or have access to a computer once in or out of
class (a partner’s laptop or a campus computer). You will also need to use a camera throughout
the course. If you do not have one, you need to check one out from Lab & Media Services. It is
best if you purchase one. Three stores, Best Buy, Target, and Costco have great deals for
cameras, and the internet is a great place to shop as well (If you require shopping assistance, let
me know).
Course Schedule: Some changes to the schedule may occur as we progress through the session
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri.

June 21 22 23 24 25
First day of class Needs
Assessments

28 29 30 1 2
July Begin working with Imagine
iMovie California

Youtube &
iMovie

5 6 7 8 9
No class Continue working Bring Cameras
with iMovie to class

Photography

12 13 14 15 16
Editing Digital Jigsaw Reading Choose a topic
Photography Pick groups
Photo
Assigned Jigsaw Group Competition Beginnings-
Filming
commences

19 20 21 22 23
Selecting photographs, Work with First blog entry
videos, and stories for Wordpress: due
blog. Creating and
managing a blog Peer feedback
Projects and Plot homework

26 27 28 29 30
Second Blog Third Blog entry Fourth blog
entry due due entry due

Continue searching and Peer feedback Summer Talent

adding photographs homework Show
and videos to blog.
August
2 3 4 5 6
Fifth blog entry due Improving your Endings...
blog
Peer feedback Blog entry
homework competition...

9 10 11 12 13
Finishing: No More Last day of class IESL
Film Editing! Graduation
Party!? Film Festival
End of Summer
barbecue.