Week 3 - Reflection

We discussed many interesting issues today...(1) How do we move from learning from technology to learning with technology to learning in it…This really made me think a lot. At the moment, I am using ICT very superfically in my classroom. But I want to moce beyond that. And that means I will have to change my pedagogy.

Whilst Sella and I were discussing how we could truly integrate ICT into our language classroom, Dr Towndrow joined our conversation. When asked if he could provide us with ONE solution, he replied (quite rightly) that were he to do that, then we would never have the incentive to really think of solutions on our own. He said that perhaps we were being impared by our glass ceiling. And perhaps were would have to change out vantage point and look at our situation with a different perspective.

I think that I need to change the 'glasses' that I am wearing and look at my students (and my classes) with new lenses. But very honestly, I am having 'ICT block' at the moment.

I found out as well today that I am actually a part of the NET Generation (apparently anyone who was younger than 21 in 1999 is part of this generation...and I just scraped through! :)) This thought makes me very hopeful though as it means that I am still connected to the students...

ICT - Week 3

Learning Points

J Knowing what and how to do things is not sufficient. It is important to know why to
do things as well.

J The case for pedagogy: Classroom Interaction
Tripartite Relationship (Teachers, Student and ICT)

J Profile of a language learner you know:

J Technology can make good language learning better and poor language teaching worse

Student Qualities – Peculiar to Net kids in the U.S
fiercely independent
Emotionally and intellectually open
Socially inclusive
Contrarian (go against popular opinion just for the sake of it)
Innovative
Investigative
Concerned about immediacy
Wary of unauthenticated sources of information
Sensitive to corporate interests
Preoccupied with maturity


Teaching through technology…learning through technology. We use technology to achieve a specific outcome.

The NET Generation have brains that are wired up differently.

Learning from technology and learning with it. In the 1960 the mainframe computers were owned by the Military and several universities in the US.

Computers were used as a surrogate teacher (students learned from the computer).

In 1980 computers became more powerful and cheaper. (The rise of Personal computers)

Structural – Mainframe, Grammar translation e.g. Russian texts to English and audiolingual,. Language was very formal and systemctic and there was a lot of drill and practice (or drill and kill) and the focus was accuracy.

Communicative – There was communicative language teaching. There was a necessity for fluency.

Integrative - Agency is all about the power to do things and actually doing them.

Intergrative – There is now more focus on content for specific purposes – e.g. EL for Businesses, EL for academic purposes. EL was no longer just cognitive it was also for social interaction. As a result there is more authentic discourse.


How do we move from learning from technology to learning with technology to learning in it….


Learner’s Role

Thinker, Confident communicator,

The context and the task

The roles of resources…Computer, Books, Assessment books, the visualiser, the dictionary, online websites, LEADS, Magazines, CD-ROMS,

Week 2 - Reflection

How is the digital age shaping the way young people grow and act?

Young people have loads of information at their fingertips. They have the keys to any information they want. To the independent learner, this is convenient as they can learn/know as much as they want as fast as they would like. This helps them to be confident individuals.

They are able to get online and interact with people, young and old from all around the world at any time of the day. But this also means that they are used to communicating under a veil of anonymity and therefore do not necessarily need to censure their words or thoughts.

Are you hopeful or concerned about the way ICT is influencing the way young people think and learn?

I suppose that I am hopeful and concerned. Hopeful because I think that ICT has limitless possibilities to enrich the life of young people. But this is dependant on the young people; they need to have a strong sense of right and wrong and not abuse the freedom that they have on the WWW. On the other ahdn, I am concerned because some young people are using the internet without any boundaries for themselves. As most of the time they is very little adult supervision, young people who are left to their devices may cross the line. Also, the fact that they are communicating with faceless people means very often they are able to say what they want without having to face the consequences. So much so that although they may possess ‘netiquette’ they may not necessarily possess etiquette.


Do you feel empowered or are you debilitated by what ICT has to offer?

I mostly feel empowered by the use of technology. I believe that the way that ICT can be used to teach language is limitless. If used properly, it can excite the student, broaden his imagination and stretch his potential. But sometimes it can be a little bit overwhelming / frustrating as technology has a tendency to fail when you need it the most! J

Where is the language learning expertise located in the digital age?


If ICT is not a silver bullet in language learning, then what is it?

Reflection

ICT - Week 2

Compare and contrast material from the BSU movie with your own teaching situation.


As a teacher I am very well aware of the advances in technology…and the fact that my students are very competent in using the available technology.

At the moment, I am using technology in a superficial manner…perhaps merely as a teaching aid. I have not thought of changing my pedagogy to truly integrate technology into my lessons and to use it to its fullest potential.

Computers are readily available in my school but not in the classroom. As such, there


What do language students need to know and do to survive in the 21st century?

3 Areas to consider

- Literacy
- Refers to


- The use of technology
- Teaching them about the different types of software available, critical users of technology navigation skills, to gain and access information.
- Language and communication

How do we identify what things are important and why?

Technology and Teaching

What is ICT? Tech is a tool, like a toothbrush, like a spanner. For some it is like a magic tool, it is empowering. It is important for one to be able to use it though and it will allow one to be able to do things that they were never able to do before.

A ‘shadow side’ – affects the brain and the mind. The use of technology changes you. Some of the changes are good but some of them are not good. So do I want to be a digital genius or a digital idiot!!! J

Students need to be able to ask questions to find out what they want to learn.

Tis A New Beginning To A New YEar!!!

Finally!!! I have a blog of my own. I know that its not really for personal use and I would not have started one had they not FORCED me to do as as part of my Masters!!! But oh well! At least I have one now! :))