HOLLY S. MARSHALL 2009 Using Technology to Enhance the Foreign Language Classroom
Them VS Us Kids today have grown up with computers and laptops, cell phones, the internet, etc. They are surrounded by it and used to it! It is their comfort zone. Use technology as a solution to common problems, especially in a language classroom. Technology puts reluctant learners and participants in their comfort zone. Provides practical experience for the students. Allows for collaboration and input from various sources.
Programs and Applications Edline – a tool that is provided to many schools for teachers parents and students. Edline has many features beyond gradequick and ing capabilities. Discussion Boards Quiz maker Homework Hand-in Microsoft Power Point– There are many websites that are available for free and safe downloads of game templates Password – a vocabulary review game Password Jeopardy! Jeopardy
Microsoft Power Point Recording feature for practice with vocabulary, listening, comprehension and dialogue practice. Javier y Susana en España Javier y Susana en España 9 Final Exam
Read Please A text to speech application available for free and safe download Allows students to experience language with different accents and voices Allows students to link written words to what they sound like. Available in many different languages. ReadPlease demo
Voice Thread A website for uploading pictures, videos, documents, etc. and allows for group discussion through speaking or typing. Voicethreads can accommodate very large group discussions and inspires even reluctant students. Easy to embed into other websites or applications. My Voice Thread Student Voice Thread example (class pet project) Embedded VT in wikispace
Wikispaces Online spaces (pages) available for free They can be made private for k-12 education purposes for no charge. Discussion board included Embed or upload video files, pictures, links to documents on your pc. Collaborative work Study guide assignment Study guide assignment
Jing – instantly capture pictures, screenshots, videos, etc. and upload them to other websites, documents or applications. Jing lives at the top of your screen and has three main options. Ideal for illustrating assignments with complex details and/or directions. Jinged content can be uploaded to wikispaces, voicethread, etc.
Additional Online Resources – games, puzzles, quizzes and quiz maker, worksheets, practice and more. Use previously uploaded content or create your own. – a great idea for projects! Jing it and upload it to a wikispace or voicethread!
Sorting it all out… Start small! Visit sites and watch demonstrations when available Practice! Let the students explore! Pick particular lessons that could be enhanced or “modernized” through the use of technology Don’t give up!
Reflection What kind of technology have you already used in the classroom? What were the results? What are the benefits of using hi tech and/or low tech devices in a world language classroom? Which of the applications and/or websites from today’s presentation would you consider using in your own classroom? In which lessons would you be interested in incorporating hi tech and/or low tech devices? How could they enhance the learning process and the acquisition of new language for your students?
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