Using Technology to Facilitate Teaching and Learning in a Language Class

1. Using Technology to Facilitate Teaching and Learning in a Language Class March 1, 2010

2. “[A] dozen ways technology can support teaching and learning. • Give students access to on-line or multimedia resources • Enhance lectures • Teach concepts that are difficult to convey with words or on a chalkboard • Vary how content is presented and applied • Facilitate discussion, problem-solving, simulations, and other learning activities • Help students work collaboratively”

3. “[A] dozen ways technology can support teaching and learning (cont.) • Drill students on basic concepts, e.g., give quizzes with built-in feedback • Support real-world learning experiences • Extend interactions and activities beyond the classroom • Save time on grading and course administration • Provide skill-building exercises and tutorials • Reach new students who can’t come to campus • Use the Internet to individualize learning.”

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. 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)

9. 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

10. Advantages of Using Discussion Forums in Class (short list) • 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

11. Discussion Forum Strategies • Allow time • Create effective discussion questions, (open-ended, 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