Teaching English with Technology

A Short Introduction

Who are you?A. Techno geek: a technology enthusiast – cannot live without

computer technology. B. Digital native: a person born (= native) in the world of

computer technology – uses it constantly and confidently.C. Digital immigrant: a person not born in the world of

computer technology – uses it but not always confidently. D. Technophobe: a person afraid of the Internet & computers –

uses it only when required or not at all.

A little bit of history

Pre-Internet• 1960 – 1970: Tape recorders, language labs.• 1980: CALL (Computer Assisted Language

Learning) learners respond to stimuli on the computer screen.

A little bit of history

Web 1.0• 1990: TELL (Technology Enhanced Language

Learning) possibilities offered by Internet and communications.

• 2000: ICT (Information & Communications Technology) use of Internet and web tools.

The present

Web 2.0•2004 - present•collaboration and sharing among users•users generate and distribute content, often with freedom to share and re-use.

Web 2.0 = social software

• computer programs that make it possible for people to connect, communicate and collaborate online.

• Facebook, blogs, Twitter, etc.

Example: blogs

• web + log = blog• a place on the internet to write comments, thoughts,

experiences• creates a community around a common topic • may consist of written text only or include pictures,

photos, audio, video. • Usually kept by one person• Readers can post comments if allowed• Anyone can start one: http://googleblogs.comhttp://blogspot.com

Edublogs• blogs by and for educators • topics range from government education policy to giving

homework and everything in between• can be set up by a teacher (tutor blog), individual

students (student blog) or a class (class blog).• example: http://c3viseu.blogspot.com/

Edublogs• Tutor blogTutor blog

• Teacher sets up blog to help – tutor -- learners • news or comments, extra reading practice or

homework, summary of a class for students absent, study tips.

• Student blogStudent blog • Learners are assigned to set up and maintain their

own blog and post once or twice a week or post comments on others.

• Class BlogClass Blog • Common learners post comments on certain topics,

on class work or any issue the teacher thinks interesting or relevant to learners.

Edublogs• practice writing English: builds fluency in writing

(but not accuracy)• provide a real audience for student writing• meaningful & purposeful activity authentic

writing• learners communicate with learners from other

parts of the world

Edublogs: Problems / Solutions• Privacy

• Anyone with access to the Web can find and read a blog and write comments

• Solution: Turn off comments• Correction

• Difficult to correct student work after posting• Solution: correct student work before posting

to the blog.• Unwanted comments

• Anyone can post unwanted comments• Solution: restrict comments to registered

users.

How do you get started?

There are a number of free blog sites available:•Blogger: www.blogger.com•WordPress: http://wordpress.org•Getablog: www.getablog.net/portal3.php•EzBlogWorld: www.ezblogworld.com

WIKIS• collaborative writing• document available that others can edit online• non-linear structure: pages link back and forward to

other pages. • started by one person but others can add to it • one of the best known wikis is Wikipedia

WIKIS• Students can write a book or encyclopedia together

• add new pages• edit their own or others’ pages • create links to other pages or to other websites

outside the wiki

Examples

www.wikipedia.org

Pbwiki: http://pbwiki.com

http://atwiki.com/

Electronic portfolios

• Collection of learner’s work in electronic format, can include• documents, video, audio, blogs, websites• reflections on the learning experience itself

• Assessment tool • students and teachers include what seems most

relevant to learner’s interests• ongoing process• comprehensive learner achievements

Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom • Facebook isn't just a great way for you to find

old friends or learn about what's happening this weekend, it is also an incredible learning tool. Teachers can utilize Facebook for class projects, for enhancing communication, and for engaging students in a manner that might not be entirely possible in traditional classroom settings. Read on to learn how you can be using Facebook in your classroom, no matter if you are a professor, student, working online, or showing up in person for class.

• Follow news feeds. Have students follow news feeds relevant to the course material in order to keep current information flowing through the class.

• Share book reviews. Students can post their book reviews for the instructor to grade and other students to read. If it's a peer-reviewed project, then students can more easily access each other's papers online.

• Practice a foreign language. Students learning a foreign language can connect with native speakers through groups or fan opportunities.

• Create your own news source. A great way for journalism students to practice their craft, use the Facebook status update feed as a breaking news source for sports results, academic competition results, and other campus news.

• Create groups. You can create groups for entire classes or for study groups with smaller subsets of students that allow for easy sharing of information and communication, without students even having to friend each other.

• Schedule events. From beginning of semester mixers to after-finals celebrations, easily schedule events for the entire class using Facebook.

• Send messages. From unexpected absences to rescheduling exams, it's easy to send messages through Facebook.

• Post class notes. Post notes after each class period for students to have access for review or in case they were absent.

• Provide direct communication with instructors. Instructors and students can contact each other through Facebook, providing an opportunity for better sharing of information and promoting better working relationships

• Allows shy students a way to communicate. Shy students who may not want to approach their teacher after class or during office hours can use Facebook to communicate.

• Facilitate classmate connections. When students get to know each other more intimately, they become more involved in the learning experience. This is helpful in both large classes that wouldn't normally promote such intimacy and in smaller settings that regularly depend on that connection.

• Make announcements. Instructors can send out reminders about upcoming tests, upcoming due dates, or any classroom news.

• Brainstorm. Students can have the ability to add their thoughts to the class any time they occur allows for more opportunities for brainstorming off each other.

• Share interesting websites. Students and instructors alike can post interesting websites that add relevancy to the class.

• Post homework. Posting homework through Facebook not only provides easy access for students, it also puts in writing specifically what is expected and when it is due.

Facebook pages for English teachers

• Teaching English - British Council• Grammarly• Teaching Resources• Real English• Rachel's English• Teaching Ideas• Songs for Teaching• Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.• Teacher's Pet• Language Teaching Professionals• TED• Grammar Girl• Teachers with a Sense of Humor• English Jokes• Really Learn English