Innovative approach to online learning
Yael Beged-Dov mixes love of culture with new technologies to help students learn Hebrew
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 2/1/11 Section: News
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According to the flyer, "By the end of this term, students will be able to write and read sentences in block and script form."
To many of us, this means nothing, but to students currently enrolled in Hebrew 111 under the teaching of Yael Beged-Dov in OSU's Ecampus, it represents a great accomplishment.
Instructor Beged-Dov, whose family immigrated to Israel from Morocco before she moved to the U.S., received the position at Oregon State University in the spring of 2010. The current winter term is not only the first in which Hebrew 111 is being taught, but also the first term the course is listed in the general "catalog" @ OSU.
Given that the class is only currently available online, there are many developments prospective students have to look forward to.
"At this time, we're offering first-year online Hebrew and working on the second-year Hebrew language course, where the emphasis is going to be on Israeli culture," Beged-Dov said.
She explained that the progression of language classes is based mostly on student demand.
"The foreign language and literature department will decide what the future holds for Hebrew," she said. "If the course turns out to be popular it might be offered on campus in the future as well as Ecampus."
Based on Beged-Dov's history with the language and her imaginative teaching techniques, it would be no surprise if a desire for additional Hebrew classes is expressed among the student body.
Though her first language was French, Beged-Dov grew up speaking Hebrew with her family and is able to understand Arabic due to her years in Morocco. The beginnings of her English came during secondary education, as every Israeli student is required to take English classes.
Beged-Dov has been in the Corvallis area, involving herself in the growing Jewish community called "Beit-Am," for 20 years. She has also remained true to her passion for art, as evidenced by the colorful stained glass creations that line the windows of her home.
"I grew up in Israel and graduated from an Israeli college majoring in art with a teaching certificate. I worked in Israel as a teacher for several years and once I immigrated to the U.S. I started teaching Hebrew," Beged-Dov said of her Hebrew background. "I've been teaching and tutoring modern and some biblical Hebrew for the last 20 years in the U.S."
Biblical Hebrew refers to the ancient language written in the Jewish Torah. What is spoken and taught now in Israel is an altered version that over time has come to be known as "modern" Hebrew, which is what Beged-Dov is teaching her students in her online introductory class.
Yael Beged-Dov has not only conquered the intimidating task of being the first to teach Hebrew at OSU, but she is also ingeniously dispelling the myth that online courses are by definition impersonal and impractical.
"I provide two weekly hours of Skype time where students can participate and practice speaking Hebrew. And just like other courses, there are quizzes and tests," she said about the online system, which she refers to as beneficial and flexible. "Ecampus and I developed some really wonderful interactive tools such as how to pronounce letters and vowels by using soundboards."
Such things are essential to any language class at the introductory level where students are not expected to have any background or experience in Hebrew or Jewish culture.
"This class is for people without any knowledge in Hebrew, not even the alphabet," she said.
Beged-Dov, who helped develop a Hebrew curriculum as co-principal for a Jewish Sunday school, is deeply rooted in her family's religious background. However, she makes a point not to ask her students about their religious affiliations.
"One student is taking my class because she frequently visits Israel," Beged-Dov said. "She wanted to learn the language out of respect for the culture."
Though a personal Jewish history is not by any means a requisite for Hebrew 111, students are guaranteed to gain familiarity with the Israeli culture.
Biblical Hebrew refers to the ancient language written in the Jewish Torah. What is spoken and taught now in Israel is an altered version that over time has come to be known as "modern" Hebrew, which is what Beged-Dov is teaching her students in her online introductory class.
Yael Beged-Dov has not only conquered the intimidating task of being the first to teach Hebrew at OSU, but she is also ingeniously dispelling the myth that online courses are by definition impersonal and impractical.
"I provide two weekly hours of Skype time where students can participate and practice speaking Hebrew. And just like other courses, there are quizzes and tests," she said about the online system, which she refers to as beneficial and flexible. "Ecampus and I developed some really wonderful interactive tools such as how to pronounce letters and vowels by using soundboards."
Such things are essential to any language class at the introductory level where students are not expected to have any background or experience in Hebrew or Jewish culture.
"This class is for people without any knowledge in Hebrew, not even the alphabet," she said.
Beged-Dov, who helped develop a Hebrew curriculum as co-principal for a Jewish Sunday school, is deeply rooted in her family's religious background. However, she makes a point not to ask her students about their religious affiliations.
"One student is taking my class because she frequently visits Israel," Beged-Dov said. "She wanted to learn the language out of respect for the culture."
Though a personal Jewish history is not by any means a requisite for Hebrew 111, students are guaranteed to gain familiarity with the Israeli culture.
Instructor Beged-Dov is very enthusiastic about educational opportunity in her home land.
"There are many opportunities for learning and collaboration in Israel as it is a world leader in technological development. The knowledge of Hebrew will aid students seeking international opportunities and can only enhance their experience," she said.
In her expert opinion, students aren't the only ones on campus who would gain an advantage from picking up Hebrew and employees within OSU's foreign languages department are heartily supportive of Beged-Dov as an addition to their team.
"I think that more faculty members at OSU can benefit from learning the language by working with Israeli researchers," said Beged-Dov. "OSU's initiatives to expand its international student population, enhance the diversity of both the student and faculty population and maintain its international lead on research can all be improved by Hebrew and other foreign language programs."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231, news@dailybarometer.com=
"There are many opportunities for learning and collaboration in Israel as it is a world leader in technological development. The knowledge of Hebrew will aid students seeking international opportunities and can only enhance their experience," she said.
In her expert opinion, students aren't the only ones on campus who would gain an advantage from picking up Hebrew and employees within OSU's foreign languages department are heartily supportive of Beged-Dov as an addition to their team.
"I think that more faculty members at OSU can benefit from learning the language by working with Israeli researchers," said Beged-Dov. "OSU's initiatives to expand its international student population, enhance the diversity of both the student and faculty population and maintain its international lead on research can all be improved by Hebrew and other foreign language programs."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231, news@dailybarometer.com=
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