Mike Barker

I play a number of roles in the School of Linguistics & Language Studies.  My primary responsibility is to provide technical support to modern language and academic ESL instructors in their use of technology to complement and enhance their classes.

I am also the frontline support for the two language labs (SP 332 & SP 349) and coordinate activities and conversation groups in the Language Learning Resource Centre (LLRC).  The latter are run by a large group of awesome student volunteers while day-to-day operation of the Centre is the responsibility of a team of Work Study students whom I manage.

I am a passionate advocate of extracurricular language learning and, together with our LLRC Reception Team, ensure that our Facebook page and bulletin board keep students up-to-date on language/culture related activities (and learning opportunities) happening on campus and in the wider Ottawa community.  This passion extends to our annual Linguavision Song Competition, an event now into its 6^th year, that encourages Carleton language learners to sing in the language they are learning in front of an audience and a panel of language and musical judges.

Lastly, on the administration front, I manage the School website, create language lab schedules, and coordinate with the FASS Computing to ensure all lab computers are stable and up-to-date for student use.

Current Challenges

In addition to my daily work, I am also working on:

• Pushing the limits of the Moodle CMS to create, advocate for, and foster the creation of meaningful language learning activities and experiences for students.
• Reimagining the Language Learning Resource Centre in a digital age: how to continue to make physical books and physical space relevant to learners in an age of mobile devices, social media, virtual space, and the Internet.
• Filming, editing, and making accessible a collection of video clips of authentic native speakers speaking on topics that are relevant to instructors’ curricula.

Committees

• Teaching & Learning Council – Learning Spaces Action Team

Professional Memberships

• CALICO
• IALLT
• TESL Ontario (TESL Ontario certified and hold advanced certifications as: Theory Instructor, Methodology Instructor, and PTCT Instructor in Educational Technology)