Chhany Sak-Humphry
Assistant Professor of Khmer
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Hawaiian & Indo-Pacific Languages & Literatures
Spalding 255, 2540 Maile Way, Hon., HI. 96822
TEL: 808/956-8070; FAX: 808/956-5978
www.hawaii.edu/khmer
http://khmer.hawaii.edu

Reading and Writing Khmer Online

(CAM 205)

 

A. Course Objectives:

Reading and Writing Khmer Online (CAM 205) will provide opportunities for students to:

1.      Master the Khmer reading and writing at the sentence and simple paragraph levels relating to basic everyday situations with familiar topics and some Khmer folklore stories.

2.      Understand Cambodian culture through the use of audio and video resources as well as the social and cultural components that are embedded in the readings.

3.      Learn technology skills through the use of Khmer software applications, and BRIX online applications (NFLRC's software).

Learn to read and write vocabulary in the following pivotal areas: basic objects, family members, colors, items of clothing, days of the week, months, years, weather related words, telling time, and shopping, eating, personal and standard social exchanges.

Be able to write simple letters, summaries of biographical data and work experiences with fair accuracy.

B. Web Literacy and Technical Requirements:

Based on our experience, it is at the outset to review and/or familiarize the students with telecommunications literacy involving Khmer fonts (download font: http://khmer.hawaii.edu/tempdownload/font and how to install: http://khmer.hawaii.edu/font.rtf). We also encourage students to use the web as a resource for research, e.g. for finding cultural resources.
Minimum Requirements:

Hardware: a PC with at least 128 MB of RAM (256 MB is preferable).
Operating System: Windows 2000 or Windows XP (late release) and above (to assure the compatibility with the Khmer Unicode and BRIX online software applications).

  1. Khmer viewing and inputting capabilities: PC software such as the Global IMEs built into Windows XP.
  2. Web browsers: Netscape 7.0, Mozilla Firefox 1.5, or Internet Explorer 6.0 and above
  3.  Internet Connection: either through a network at your place of business or through a modem connection at home. The modem should be at least 28.8 bps. Information about establishing a UH-PPP dial-up modem connection from your home are available from ITS here.
  4. Khmer Unicode font by KhmerOs - can be downloaded via our website: http://khmer.hawaii.edu/link.htm or at the developer KhmerOs website: http://www.khmeros.info/khmeros_download.html
  5. Microphone and headphones/speakers are required to use with the online forums.
  6. Networked computers (5 computers with Khmer software applications with headphones and microphones) are available in the College of Language, Linguistics, and Literature's Multimedia Computer Lab during open hours in Moore 153 (PC Lab), UH, Manoa. However, nowadays, most schools have computer labs where students can use the computer to work on assignment if they are on campus.
  7. Students must meet the general technical requirements and have an understanding of the World Wide Web, word processing, and email (if not, they need to work together with instructor to meet these requirements). Student's computer must have internet access, audio, video to view these elements. Some of other utilities can be downloaded for free:

    * Adobe Acrobat Reader (for PDF files) Download
    * QuickTime digital media player Download
    * RealPlayer digital media player Download
    * Macromedia Shockwave Player Download
    * WSFTP Free Version Download

C. How will the student's work be evaluated?

Instructor Responsibilities:

Basic requirements that instructor needs to do for online courses:

1.      Instructor will be expected to respond to the students' postings within 24 hours. The use of asynchronous modes of communication between instructor and students is most appropriate for this course because of the diverse schedules and geographical locations of the parties involved.

2.      Helping Students Get Started (orients the students; make initial contact; assign a collaborative activity; consider a buddy program; help students get organized).

3.      Fostering Socialization (post student e-mail addresses to the course web site and possibly digital images of the students; forward student questions and comments to the rest of the class, along with own responses).

4.      Managing Student Interaction (must serve as the moderator for all class discussions; use a conferencing system to help encourage students to ask and answer each other's questions).

5.      Instructor must backup everything and log in students' time of interaction with everyone.

 

 

Learner responsibilities:

1. Participation and Punctuality: Students will be expected to visit the class site <http://www.nflrc.hawaii.edu/onlinecourse/course_login.cfm?ClassCode=CAM105> for at least 3-5 times per week, prepared to read and to communicate in writing beforehand. Students should read the instructions for each lesson thoroughly and be prepared to interact with classmates. The class will progress through a series of task-based activities. Punctuality in submitting assignments is of vital importance (homework must be turned in on time). 
As an intensive and online course, participants for this course must know that they must work independently (self-directed learning) through the use of the required material CD-ROM and textbook of about 3-6 hours per week.

2. Quizzes and Exams: All quizzes and exams are listed in the lesson assignments. To ensure maximum integrity of student work, all quizzes and exams have a time limit. They can only be taken within a 24 hour period. They cannot be made up unless arrangements are made a week BEFORE the exam date. To further ensure integrity of student work in quizzes and exams, all test questions are randomized. All quizzes and exams are open-book but BEWARE, you cannot correct your answers once they are submitted.

3. Grading: Criteria differ from unit to unit, depending on the items there are to complete in each unit. Generally speaking, the most important criterion for receiving points is whether or not there is ample evidence of student participation, without reference to accuracy. Accuracy develops over time in the course, and improvement, rather than high accuracy at any given point, is the goal.  The scale of the course grade is based on the traditional formula 90%-100% = A, 80%-89% = B, etc...  For those who have chosen the CR/NC grading option, they must earn a "C" grade or better in order to receive credit.

Most importantly, the student's online performance will be monitored by the instructor by means of a daily log when student's contributions are recorded. Students will be evaluated based on their performance individually as well as in groups. Evaluation is based on class attendance and participation, three quizzes, homework, three major exams, and one final paper and oral reading. The grading is based on the following:

1

Class attendance, Participation & Homework       

40%

2

3 Quizzes (each worth 10%)

30%

3

  3 Exams (each worth 10%)

30%

 

Due to the nature of this course, quizzes and examinations have to be taken online. To ensure maximum integrity of student work, all tests and examinations have a time limit. The system will be set up in such a way that submission is not possible once the time limit has expired. Tests can only be taken within a 24 hour period, and can only be taken during this relatively short availability of time. To further ensure integrity of student work in tests, all test questions are randomized. Oral presentation, speaking forum or reading can be recorded in the voice box in the online course.