EL CIVICS VIA TECHNOLOGY ORIENTATION AND SURVEY

Welcome to our orientation!

EL CIVICS CLASSES During these classes students learn skills to help them improve their participation in education, work, and civic opportunities in this country. To do this, they improve their English, and learn to understand: governmental systems, educational systems, workplace systems, and institutional systems such as banking and health care systems.

TECHNOLOGY Webster’s definition of technology for English Language Learners. Advancement, development, or change A tool to make things easier Turn and talk at your table about some technology available to you now that was not available to you as a child. How can this new technology help us in our learning?

LET’S FIND OUT ABOUT YOU! Please complete the survey at this time so I can learn more about you.

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY BEING USED IN EDUCATION TODAY? Collaboration Working with others, at times all over the world Wikis Live chats Polls/Surveys Creation  Creating and publishing your own work and information in real time  Blogs  Online journals and diaries  Glogs  Vokis  Videos

WHAT WILL THIS CLASS HELP ME DO? Create an account and practice sending and receiving s and monitoring my account Create, monitor, and use accounts such as google voice to create a virtual phone account for myself Learn about tools on my phone and how those tools can help me access the internet and participate in class activities Learn about social networking sites such as facebook, twitter, and live chats and how these things can help in my learning Learn to monitor my child’s use of social networks Learn to safely access financial information online Learn to use technological tools to present information about myself, my community, and our government Learn to gather information and determine if information is reliable or accurate via internet searches Practice your English in a real life way

WHAT WON’T THIS CLASS HELP ME DO? This class will not teach you the basics of computer use such as how to turn on the computer, or how computers work. Basic computer classes are often available at libraries or other service agencies for those who know very little about computers, This class will not give you internet access outside of class. This class will not give you individualized attention outside of class. Many of our activities will require you to work independently.

WHAT MUST I DO TO PARTICIPATE? Make a commitment to come to class every Wednesday Agree to practice class skills at home each week Be able to access the internet outside of class weekly using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer Be open to trying new things, and be fearless in class! Be supportive of your classmates who are learning with you.