Using Technology in the English Language Classroom

Introductions Let’s introduce ourselves Please share Your name Where you teach and who you teach (age/grade level) One good thing that has recently happened to you

Think for a minute… “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, then we rob our children of tomorrow” –John Dewey (1916) Is it important to integrate technology into the language classroom? Explain why or why not?

Discussion What are the benefits of integrating technology into the English classroom? What are the disadvantages of integrating technology into the English classroom? Are there ways to overcome these disadvantages?

Principles of Technology Integration According to Specter (2012), teachers should consider the following when designing learning activities involving technology Learning goals and objectives are met The learning environment is useful and reliable, with meaningful activities aligned with goals The learning experience is appealing and attractive The program/technology is sustainable No harm is done

Workshop Goals We will Review some interesting and appealing technology applications, websites and practices involving language learning Discuss ways that your students can benefit from using technology in the classroom Reflect on current learning goals and your use of technology Create a plan that integrates language learning goals with using technology

Principles of Technology Integration Learning Goals and Objectives are met What are some of the overall learning goals for your students? Choose 1-2 How do you measure them? Tests? Presentations? Essays? Dialogues and role plays? How do you know that students have met these goals or objectives? What will students be able to do? In what ways can technology be used to help students meet these goals or to measure students’ performance of these goals? Think, Pair, Share– spend 5-7 minutes discussing this with a partner, and then share with the class.

Discussion In what ways can technology be used to help students meet these goals or to measure students’ performance of these goals?

Principles of Technology Integration The learning environment is useful and reliable, with meaningful activities aligned with goals How do you create a useful and reliable learning environment? Is this environment within the classroom? Are students able to take their learning out of the classroom? In what ways could technology enable students to extend/transfer their learning outside the classroom’s walls? What are some ways you currently use technology to teach English? Think, Pair, Share– spend 5-7 minutes discussing this with a partner, and then share with the class.

Principles of Technology Integration The learning experience is appealing and attractive What learning experiences and activities do your students enjoy? Do they enjoy active learning? Collaboration? Writing? Creative? Research? Do your students enjoy using technology? What websites do they visit? What chat/texting/social media do they use? How can you create enjoyable experiences using technology?

Digital Divide Sometimes, we implement instructional technology without thinking about the potential disadvantages for some students and learners. We call these disadvantages part of the digital divide. Are there ways to avoid the digital divide for your students? Do all of your students have access to technology at home or outside of school?

Using Technology for Language Learning Input (reading, listening) = input (i) + 1 (Krashen) Learned vs. Acquired Output (writing, speaking) BICS (basic interpersonal communicative skills) CALP (cognitive academic language proficiency)

Using Technology Output Writing Wikis, blogs, discussion boards Wikispaces Edublogs Prezi

Using Technology Output Speaking Voice boards, recordings, audacity, Jing Slide Share Rich Internet Applications Voxopop Jing

Using Technology Input Listening Recordings of conversations, videos, commercials, movies, podcasts Youtube Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab ESL Podcast Voice of America

Using Technology Input Reading Articles (magazines, newspapers), blogs, literature (poems, short stories), informational sites NY Times Magatopia Strategies for Critical Reading (For advanced students) Strategies for Critical Reading

Other uses of Technology Using images Random Image Generator Cell Phone Cameras (Wang, Chen, & Fang, 2011)

For next week… Think of 1 specific language goal/outcome that your students have difficulty achieving. Verbs (tense), Sentence punctuation, Identify 1 learning technology, and create a plan to address this difficulty using one of the learning technologies we discussed. Bring these to the next meeting. We will review the plans. You may work with a partner if you feel more comfortable.

References Schütz, R. (2007)."Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition." English Made in Brazil. Shoebottom, P. (2014). Second language acquisition: Essential information. Frankfurt International School. Spector, J. M. (2012). Foundations of Educational Technology: Integrative Approaches and Interdisciplinary Perspectives. New York: Routledge. Wang, F., Chen, X., & Fang, W. (2011). Integrating smartphones into a Chinese EFL classroom: Students’ attitudes, technological readiness, and perceived learning. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 4(1),

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