Transcript Using Technology to Facilitate Teaching and Learning in a

Using Technology to Facilitate
Teaching and Learning in a
Language Class
March 1, 2010
“[A] dozen ways technology can
support teaching and learning.
1. Give students access to on-line or multimedia
resources
2. Enhance lectures
3. Teach concepts that are difficult to convey with
words or on a chalkboard
4. Vary how content is presented and applied
5. Facilitate discussion, problem-solving,
simulations, and other learning activities
6. Help students work collaboratively”
“[A] dozen ways technology can
support teaching and learning (cont.)
7. Drill students on basic concepts, e.g., give
quizzes with built-in feedback
8. Support real-world learning experiences
9. Extend interactions and activities beyond the
classroom
10.Save time on grading and course administration
11.Provide skill-building exercises and tutorials
12.Reach new students who can’t come to campus
13.Use the Internet to individualize learning.”
Most important consideration when
using technology to enhance a course:
Are there sound pedagogical reasons that
support the use of this technology?
• What learning goals will be met with the use
of this technology? How will this technology
facilitate these goals, exactly?
• Are there other, better ways to achieve this
learning goal?
• How will the success of this technology in
meeting learning goals be measured?
Also, don’t fall into the
• Toy trap: The technology is new, exciting and
cool, so let’s use it.
• Tool trap: We understand the nuts & bolts of
how to use it, so that’s all we need. Just
because you know how to use a hammer and
a saw doesn’t necessarily mean you can build
a house.
Take your time!
• Don’t try to implement multiple new strategies
and technologies in a single semester. Give
yourself sufficient time to determine where these
technologies might fit in your course and to plan
how to implement changes.
• Try just one, and expect it to go wrong (and to
work) in ways that you couldn’t predict.
• Experiment to see what works with your class,
your teaching style, your course content.
• Get together a group of others teaching your
same courses who are also interested in
incorporating new strategies/technologies and
collaborate.
Questions that can help you select
the right strategies/technologies:
• What do you want your students to learn?
• What class activities and/or assignments
would help students meet the course learning
goals?
• How would increased student interaction and
knowledge sharing contribute to the
assignments and course goals?
• What technologies would facilitate student
interaction in your course?
• How do you assess classroom technology?
Course Management Systems (CMS)
• RamCT: the “official” CSU CMS
• Writing Studio: CSU CMS developed
specifically for writing intensive courses
• Moodle: an Open Source CMS
• Google or Yahoo Groups
• Blogs
• Wikis (extreme collaboration): Example
(Frederique: www.frede.wikispaces.com)
Some specific strategies/technologies
for use in a language course:
• Read: Blogs, online newspapers, webcomics,
(Frederique: http://ossiane.blog.lemonde.fr/)
• Listen: Spanish website example, online radio,
podcasts
• Speak: Audacity
• Write and Play: Blogs, Story, Games
(Examples: Sue, Maite)
• Discuss: Discussion Forums
Advantages of Using Discussion
Forums in Class (short list)
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Extends learning opportunities
Fosters sense of (academic) community
Allows for different learning styles
Ensures that every student participates
Provides a place for regular writing (thinking,
communicating and learning) opportunities
• Enables collaborative learning
Discussion Forum Strategies
• Allow time
• Create effective discussion questions, (openended, but specific enough to promote a
focused discussion)
• Be present, but don’t dominate the discussion
• Respond and redirect effectively. Make
expectations clear through standards and
modeling
• Connect discussion forums to what’s
happening in the classroom