“Because the world is your oyster”

Oyster is an interactive platform centered around adaptive microlessions geared towards preparing language learners for living abroad with tools that fill in the gaps left by traditional second language curriculum. Leveraging the functionality of PERLS, an adaptive learner platform that modifies the content it displays to the user based on learning style, mood, and habit, Oyster’s database of micro lessons includes scenarios most commonly encountered by second language learning living abroad, for example flagship students during their capstone year, such as visiting the doctor, renting an apartment or setting up a bank account. The scenarios are split into 3 modules; preview, where static material such as vocabulary, phrases and video are presented for study, an interactive simulation where the user is tested on their retention of the information through a conversation with an A.I chatbot designed to mimic an interaction in the real world, and a review stage where the user is prompted to reflect on the interaction with more open ended questions designed to challenge the user’s handle on the higher level functions of the language. The review questions can be triggered upon completion of the simulation module, or contextually based on the user’s location or calendar. By asking questions related to the user’s experiences, the app engraciates itself with their daily life in an attempt to simulate the immersive nature of study abroad wherever the user may be.

“For the early bird learners”

WordWorm is a web application intended to help students develop their professional language skills. The main purpose of this tool is to help students work with authentic resources in their professional language domain. This tool has three key features: 1) an automatic vocabulary generator, 2) a repository of contextual examples associated with the vocabulary, and 3) a mechanism to filter vocabulary according to relevant categories and users. This tool would allow Flagship students to both gain access to a curated selection of specialized texts for various domain areas and to create their own collection of texts in the language domain of their choice. Within the Flagship context, the tool can be used to support activities with tutors, in-class activities that focus on domain-specific language, and self-directed learning. As the tool is being used, a collection of curated texts would become available in various language domains that can be shared among students with similar interests.

“Cast your net”

LingoNet is a social learning mobile / web app that supports language resource location and curation, social sharing, and curriculum integration. The app is designed for crowd-based sourcing of materials of interest by both learners and instructors. The basic view in the app is either the “feed,” in which one views syndicated content from “followed” users, or the “search,” which enables the user to locate shared items. The app is not only integrated into institutional LMSs, providing a seamless login for students and the ability for teachers to pull content easily from the app, but is also woven into the Chrome web browser itself by providing a plugin that enables the user to bookmark and mark up any Web resource using appropriate hashtags. Hashtags provide the power in this app, enabling users to categorize any given item by language, level, topic, specific vocabulary, function, and “board” — a “board” being a collection of pinned items collected under a special hashtag by the user.

“Connecting flagshippers into a fleet of global leaders”

The main goal of FlagConnect is to connect Flagship students and alumni. The website serves as a hub with pages dedicated to individual Flagship language program. On home page of each Flagship program, there will be a brief introduction about the program along with different tabs leading into more specific information including student profile, news/events, forum, resources, and map. Each student (alumni) will create their profile page on the FlagConnect and share their Flagship related journey and blog posts on the profile page. On the news/events page, users will be able to find current events from the embedded Google calendar. For website maintenance and recruitment: Each Flagship programs will appoint an ambassador who will be in charge of maintaining their program’s web pages. Ambassadors will also reach out to student organizations, community organizations, and other native speakers in the community to recruit involvement.

“Navigate your study abroad experience!”

Nav-E-Gate is a web-based social learning app designed to address a lack of cultural understanding specific to flagship students’ study abroad locations. The app uses scenarios crowdsourced from current or previous study abroad students through submitted media including videos, pictures, audio, and written descriptions of their experiences. Displayed on a built-in map showing the actual location of occurrence, each scenario is presented as a “challenge”. Users earn points by responding appropriately to each scenario and can save related vocabulary in their personalized “Library” for future review. This app also incorporates different incentives for users to practice daily, such as earning stickers to use in forums and avatar personalization, and coins to purchase review games or accessories. To ensure the quality of the content, the Flagship tutors will play the role of curator and moderator, who can screen and edit content submitted by the students and recommend student contributed scenarios to the development team.