FOCI – XXV @ Aydın Adnan Menderes University

FOCI- XXV @ Aydın Adnan Menderes University 

Dates: 17-18 May 2024

Venue: Merkez Yerleşkesi Yabancı Diller Yüksekokulu 

Address: YABANCI DİLLER YÜKSEKOKULU Aydın Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi  Merkez Yerleşkesi Aytepe Mevkii 09010 AYDIN

THEME: Textbook Tango or DIY: Choosing Between In-House and Published Materials

One of the most crucial issues in the ELT world is selecting the best instructional materials to enrich the classroom environment, elevate the learning experience, meet students’ needs, and empower language educators. This pivotal decision confronts EFL teachers and curriculum developers alike: whether to embark on the creative journey of crafting in-house materials or to rely on professionally published resources. In this dynamic decision-making process, whether opting for the creative freedom of in-house production or the comprehensive support of published materials, there are several considerations to weigh, such as specific classroom needs, pedagogical innovations, quality, time, budget, accessibility, and so on.  Therefore, it is important to explore the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of using in-house materials, published materials, or a combination of both. This FOCI event aims to offer insights into educational material selection to help choose the path that best aligns with the educational goals, navigating the pros and cons of crafting materials internally versus procuring professionally published resources. Join us on a journey through the intricate dynamics of curriculum development, where creativity meets commercialism and customization clashes with convenience.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

The forum will take an informal and hands-on approach to the “nitty-gritty” of curriculum work aiming to complement the formal presentation of papers or workshops to be found at other professional gatherings such as conferences, seminars and workshops. It is intended that participants will come away from the Forum with concrete examples of how other institutions have responded to the challenges raised by the theme. This will involve whole-group discussion and smaller groups focusing on particular areas who will then share the issues they discussed with participants from the other groups. The topics for the smaller focus groups’ discussion will be decided from suggestions made by participants on the registration form.

PARTICIPANTS

• In order to ensure efficient and focused discussion and an informal atmosphere, places are limited to ONE representative from each institution. We hope that you will understand the necessity for this.
• The representative should be a member of a syllabus or curriculum team, or other teacher who is actively involved in curricular development, rather than an administrator.
• If interest exceeds capacity, places are allocated randomly from applications received by the closing date, maintaining a range of different types of universities and geographical spread in order to ensure the widest variety of perspectives.
• There is no registration fee. Refreshments and lunch on Day 1 are also provided free of charge.
• The language of the forum is English.

To register: The deadline for registration is 15th March 2024. To register, download and complete the registration form and send it to fociturkey@gmail by the deadline. Click here for the registration form. Please remember to download the form onto your computer first as a word document in order to be able to edit it and also rename it using your institution’s name. Then, attach the completed renamed file to the FOCI mail address given above.

For enquiries contact: fociturkey@gmail.com

TRANSPORT

For more information about transport to the ADU Campus, please visit,

https://akademik.adu.edu.tr/yo/yabancidiller/default.asp?idx=313431

• The easiest way to get to Aydın is  by taking the HAVAŞ coaches from İzmir ADB Airport. It takes nearly 1 hour and a half and costs ₺280. For the departure times, please visit Havaş’s official website: https://havas.net/otobus-hizmetleri. Then, you may get to the campus by taxi from the bus terminal. It takes approximately 15 minutes and costs about ₺150-200.
• If you are travelling from the İzmir ADB Airport to Aydın by train, it takes nearly 2 hours and a half, and costs ₺100.  You may take a taxi from the train station. The journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes.
• If you are coming  to Aydın by coach, you may get to the campus by taxi from the bus terminal. It takes approximately 15 minutes and costs about ₺150.
• The city buses (number 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 ve 17 ) take you to the campus as well. 
• When planning your travel, please remember the start and finish times are as follows: 9am to 5pm Friday 17th May & 9am- 2 pm Saturday 18th May.

ACCOMMODATION:

Unfortunately we are not able to organise accommodation. However, here are some possibilities and suggestions for accommodation:

• ADÜ Guest House(in the campus) (https://idari.adu.edu.tr/iktisadiisletme/default.asp?idx=313734

Phone: 05359766119

• Yüceler  Hotel (3 km to campus) ( https://www.yucelerhotel.com/iletisim.html)

Ata, Denizli Bulvarı No:74, 09100 Efeler/Aydın

Phone: 0 (256) 231 14 06

• Anemon Hotel (4 km to campus) https://anemonhotels.com/hotel/anemon-aydin/

Phone: +90 (256) 212 7777 

Aydın Öğretmenevi (7 km to campus)(https://aydinogretmenevi.com.tr/)

Meşrutiyet Mahallesi Atatürk Bulvarı Numara: 21 Efeler/AYDIN

Phone: 0 (256) 225 26 81

FOCI-XXIV @ FATIH SULTAN MEHMET FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY

Dates: 9am to 5pm Friday 15th December & 9am to 4pm Saturday 16th December 2023

Venue: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University Topkapı Campus.

Merkez Efendi Cd., 34015 Cevizlibağ – Zeytinburnu, İstanbul (Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi). Click here for google map link

Theme: Collaboration of Wits and Wires: Unlocking the Opportunities of AI in Curriculum Development

As Curriculum developers we are always on the lookout to provide the best curriculum for our learners and to create positive improvements in their learning. We are well aware of the fact that AI is already being used in a wide range of fields, and the use of AI leads to innovation and transformation in various fields. The indefinite possibilities that may arise when wits and wires converge seem very inspiring. Therefore, it would be prudent at this time to explore the benefits of using AI in Curriculum Design, and seek ways of employing AI in developing the curriculum of the Preparatory Programmes. Yet questions remain: How, to what extent and at what stage should AI be involved in the process of curriculum development? How can we use the collaboration between human creativity and technological sophistication to enrich educational experiences and foster considerable strides in the domains of language teaching and learning?  This FOCI event will attempt to find out the involvement of “AI” in curriculum design and its positive and constructive effects on the curriculum.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

The forum will take an informal and hands-on approach to the “nitty-gritty” of curriculum work aiming to complement the formal presentation of papers or workshops to be found at other professional gatherings such as conferences, seminars and workshops. It is intended that participants will come away from the Forum with concrete examples of how other institutions have responded to the challenges raised by the theme. This will involve whole-group discussion and smaller groups focusing on particular areas who will then share the issues they discussed with participants from the other groups. The topics for the smaller focus groups’ discussion will be decided from suggestions made by participants on the registration form.

PARTICIPANTS

• In order to ensure efficient and focused discussion and an informal atmosphere, places are limited to ONE representative from each institution. We hope that you will understand the necessity for this.
• The representative should be a member of a syllabus or curriculum team, or other teacher who is actively involved in curricular development, rather than an administrator.
• If interest exceeds capacity, places are allocated randomly from applications received by the closing date, maintaining a range of different types of universities and geographical spread in order to ensure the widest variety of perspectives.
• There is no registration fee. Refreshments and lunches are also provided free of charge.
• The language of the forum is English.

FOCI XXIV BOOKLET

Group 1 Report

Group 2 Report

Group 3 Report

Group 4 Report

Presentation by Koray TUNÇ_AI & The Future of Education

Presentation by Meltem BILIR ASILAR _Using AI in Curriculum Design

Photos from FOCI XXIV @ FATİH SULTAN MEHMET UNIVERSITY

To register: The deadline for registration is 20th October 2023. To register download and complete the registration form and send to fociturkey@gmail by the deadline. Click here for the registration form. Please remember to download the form onto your computer first as a word document in order to be able to edit it and also rename it using your institution’s name. Then, attach the completed renamed file to the FOCI mail address given above.

For enquiries contact: fociturkey@gmail.com

TRANSPORT:

• Metrobus: Cevizlibağ station (3 minute walk)
• Tram: Cevizlibağ-AÖY station (3 minute walk)
• Marmaray: Kazlıçeşme Station and take the number 11 bus to Cevizlibağ bridge (3 minute walk)
• Various bus lines such as 41AT, 522B and 500T also stop at Cevizlibağ. 

ACCOMMODATION:

Unfortunately we are not able to organise accommodation. Here are some possibilities for accommodation:

Uranus İstanbul Topkapı – Merkezefendi, Mevlana Cd. No:112/1, 34015 Zeytinburnu/İstanbul (0212) 665 75 75 (website: https://www.uranushotels.com/ )

Grand Makel Topkapı – Maltepe, Serçekale Sk. No:1\1, 34010 Zeytinburnu/İstanbul (0212) 482 30 40 (website: https://www.grandmakelhotel.com/?mv=1 )

Holiday Inn Istanbul City – Turgut Ozal Cad. (Millet Cad.) 189 Topkapi 34104 Istanbul, Turkey (website: https://www.hiistanbulcity.com.tr/ ) 

FOCI-XXIII @Eskişehir Osmangazi University 5th & 6th May 2023

Stakes and Mistakes: The Vital Voice of Stakeholders in Curriculum Development

As curriculum developers, we are aware of a number of important stakeholders with whom we must communicate to ensure we meet the needs of our wider community. These stakeholders are indeed essential to curriculum development. Our collaboration and communication with them, as we develop what will be as flawless a programme as possible, is critical.

Who then are the major stakeholders? How and how often must we collaborate with them? How do we initiate and maintain an open dialogue with the stakeholders? What exactly is it that we, the curriculum developers, need from them and vice-versa? How best to get this information? Is it more than simple recommendations and feedback?  Are stakeholders’ advice and critique necessary before we can conclude our curriculum’s development and finalize our method of delivery? How best to carry out this important and preliminary step in curriculum development? Our Focus groups tackled these and other issues.

The FOCI-XXIII event gave participants a chance to examine in depth the role that stakeholders must play in any successful curriculum development. What’s at stake? Perhaps more than some of us realized at the outset.

FOCI-XXIII FOCUS GROUP TASK AND REPORTS

FOCItepe University Preparatory Department has managed to survive compulsory practices – Online/Hybrid – both during and after the pandemic, in addition to the recent tragic natural disasters. The Curriculum Team has thus decided to update their Curriculum with the latest research and current best practices, so as to improve their students’ learning and help them cope with their studies at their faculties better!

However, the team members are a bit confused as to who should be involved in this process, and they are also concerned about making the wrong decisions and wasting time. The core question is: Which stakeholders must have a voice in Curriculum Development? Learners? Teachers? Faculty Members? Other stakeholders? To what extent and in which order?

With their continuous support to FOCItepe University Curriculum Team members, FOCI participants have gathered once again, this time to address the questions related to involving stakeholders in curriculum development. Within this remit, aspects of the issues which were identified by looking at the suggestions made by all participants in completing the registration form will be discussed.

Each group should:

• discuss and share their ideas related to the articles they have read
• come up with a definition of who exactly are “Stakeholders”
• discuss as many of the listed bullet points as possible

–  there is no need to follow the order of the bullet points

–  certain ones can be prioritised

–  there is no need to discuss all of the bullet points – they are just suggestions

–  feel free to discuss other things if they come up  look at each of the issues from the point of view of the group they represent

• prepare to discuss their suggestions with the FOCItepe University representatives tomorrow morning

On the second day of the event, each group will prepare a written report of their suggestions for the FOCItepe University Curriculum Team, making specific recommendations about the issues discussed, where consensus was reached, and identifying a few questions for further discussion in those areas where there was less consensus or it is felt more ideas are needed.

Pre-event readings of the event

FOCI-XXIII Booklet

Focus Group A

Focus Group B

Focus Group C

Focus Group D

Photos of FOCI-XXIII @Eskişehir Osmangazi University

FOCI-XXII @ SABANCI UNIVERSITY

9am to 5pm Friday 16^th December & 9am to 4pm Saturday 17^th December 2022

Venue: Sabancı University School of Languages, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No:27, Orhanli-Tuzla 34956 İstanbul. Click here for link to google maps

Theme: Balancing the Scales: Building a Curriculum Team for a Successful Curriculum 

For over ten years now, every six months we have come together as representatives of curriculum teams in different universities and discussed a wide range of issues, but maybe we have not yet examined ourselves closely enough! This time the focus will be turned on us- the curriculum developers: Who are we? How do we operate in our own institutions? How do we find the right equilibrium?

There seems to be a wide variety of different contexts: some institutions have established teams devoted to curriculum development (sometimes integrating assessment too); in some institutions this responsibility may fall on just one person and may not be that person’s only responsibility; some universities might wish to set up such a team.

How do we create the “ideal team”? What should be the actual roles and responsibilities of this Team? How do we balance this against the work of other stakeholders?

How should its members be chosen and what training do they need? How should it operate in practice and how do we achieve a harmonious working relationship within the team and with others in the institution?

This FOCI event will be an opportunity for participants to share their experience of, and discuss ideas related to these issues. The intention is that participants will come away with some concrete ideas of how to set up and how to ensure the smooth operation of a curriculum team. 

EXPECTED OUTCOME

The forum will take an informal and hands-on approach to the “nitty-gritty” of curriculum work aiming to complement the formal presentation of papers or workshops to be found at other professional gatherings such as conferences, seminars and workshops. It is intended that participants will come away from the Forum with concrete examples of how other institutions have responded to the challenges raised by the theme. This will involve whole-group discussion and smaller groups focusing on particular areas who will then share the issues they discussed with participants from the other groups. The topics for the smaller focus groups’ discussion will be decided from suggestions made by participants on the registration form.

PARTICIPANTS

• In order to ensure efficient and focused discussion and an informal atmosphere, places are limited to ONE representative from each institution. We hope that you will understand the necessity for this.
• The representative should be a member of a syllabus or curriculum team, or other teacher who is actively involved in curricular development, rather than an administrator.
• If interest exceeds capacity, places are allocated randomly from applications received by the closing date, maintaining a range of different types of universities and geographical spread in order to ensure the widest variety of perspectives.
• There is no registration fee. Refreshments and lunches are also provided free of charge.
• The language of the forum is English.

To register: The deadline for registration is Friday 4^th November 2022. To register complete this form and send to fociturkey@gmail by the deadline.

For enquiries contact: fociturkey@gmail.com

TRANSPORT: 

For information about transport to the campus click here.

Please note that Sabiha Gökçen Airport is very near to the campus and an approximately 20 minute taxi ride. 

If you are arriving at Istanbul Airport please bear in mind that this will involve an airport bus (Havaist  IST-5) to 4. Levent from where you can take the university shuttle. 

When planning your travel please remember the start and finish times are as follows: 9am to 5pm Friday 16^th December & 9am- 4pm Saturday 17^th December.

ACCOMMODATION: 

Unfortunately we are not able to organise accommodation. 

There are hotels around Kurtköy/Sabiha Gokcen airport. However, this would involve a taxi ride to the campus. 

The best locations to stay are within easy reach of the university shuttle bus stops in 4.Levent on the European side and Kadıköy or Kozyatağı on the Asian side.