new technology in the language classroom

Using new technology and Using new technology and software in the classroomsoftware in the classroom

New technology in the classroom

Why use new technology?

• What new technology and which activities have you used in class?

• Why have you used new technology?

• What are the benefits of using new technology in the classroom?

• Are there any disadvantages of using new technology?

Motivation

• Using new technology is motivating.

• Motivation is the single most important variable to determine the success of adult language learners. (Pulvermuller & Schumann, 1994)

Motivation and authentic materials

• The Internet provides a rich and varied source of authentic materials for the language classroom, and their use has been seen as promoting Second Language Aquisition.

• The use of authentic materials will result in learners being more motivated to learn the target language.

(Frizler, 1995; Warschauer, 1996)

Motivation, and authentic projects and tasks

• When a a student edits a wiki, posts a comment on a blog or puts a podcast on a blog they are performing a real world task. They are also creating not just consuming.

• Real world tasks are highly motivating for language learners.

Motivation and learner autonomy

• When the Internet is used in an educational context, learners have to take more responsibility for their own learning, and this leads to greater learner autonomy and a more student-centred classroom.

• Increased learner autonomy leads to greater learner motivation.

Motivation and young learners

Young learners are comfortable using computers and are very motivated to use the Internet to learn.

Multi-media rich material is motivating

• The Internet is full of visual materials which serve as an aid to understanding and successful learning. Visual learners are more likely to find video rather than audio “memorable”.

• Learners are motivated by an attractive visual presentation.

• The Internet presents information through the mediums of text, sound, and visuals.

Education in a post-industrial society

• In a post-industrial society we need learners who are creative, can work in teams and communities and collaborate.

• A lot of web 2.0 applications encourage learners to work in communities, promote creativity and collaboration.

Web 2.0 Community, collaboration, creativity

What is Web 2.0?

• What is Web 2.0?• Web 2.0 is a new improved version of the

Internet. Blogs, video-sharing, podcasting, wikis and social-networking.

• Collaboration, contribution and community are the order of the day.

• A more socially connected Web in which people can contribute as much as they consume.

• Learners are the creators and generators of the content of the course.

Blogs

• What does Blogger say a blog is?• Articles opinions, called posts, can be

commented on by readers.• BBC Student Blogger

Wikis

• What does wikipedia say?• What is a wiki?• A Wiki is a web page or series of web

pages which can be easily edited by anyone with access.

Podcasts

• Splendid Speaking Podcast

• Podcasts are audio recordings, usually in MP3 format, of talks interviews, lectures which can be played on a desktop computer or a wide range of handheld MP3 devices

How to harness motivational qualities of Web 2.0?

• Teachers need to harness the intrinsic motivational quality of the Internet/Web 2.0 to enhance the language learning experience of their learners.

• What the experts say:Nicky HockleyGavin Dudeney

Pedagogical aim

• “The potential pedagogical effects of the technological or theoretical instruments used for the learning of a second language depend on the methodological or theoretical approach that guides their application.”(Salaberry, 1996)

A clear linguistic purpose

• We must ensure that there is a clear linguistic purpose behind all ICT activities that our students engage in.

• We must engage our students not just entertain them.

Exploiting Web 2.0 materials

• ICT activities should only be used when they have something to contribute to traditional teaching methods or when they have considerable advantages over traditional methods. (Graus, 1999)You TubeYapprbruce you tube interviewYappr interviewEF

Webquests

• The use of ICT must always be supported by clear linguistic and pedagogical goals which teachers must communicate to their learners. Webquests are ideal for doing this.

WebquestsWebquest for language teachersWebquest for Spanish teachers

Software

Software should be:

• Multi-media rich• User-friendly• Intuitive• Visually attractive

New English File Software

Potential problems

• Do not underestimate the complexity of using computers in the classroom.

• In order to get any educational benefit out of using computers in the classroom we need to prepare carefully.

Just in case ……

Always have a plan B.

Education and creativity

Sir Ken Robinson

“Creativity is as important in education as literacy.”

Bibliography

• How to Teach with Technology, Dudeney, G. and Hockly, N. (Longman, 2007)

• Teaching English with Information Technology, Gordon-Smith, D. and Baber, E. (Modern English Publishing, 2005)

• The Internet and Young Learners, Lewis, G. (OUP 2004)

• The Internet and the Language Classroom, Dudeney, G. (Cambridge, 2000)

• How to Use the Internet in ELT, Teeler, D. and Gray, P. (Longman 2000)

• Internet English, Gitsaki, C. and Taylor, R. (OUP 2000) • The Internet, Windeatt, S., Hardisty, D. and Eastment, D.,

(OUP 2000)

Web links

Web quests • Webquest Bank• http://webquest.org/index.php• Homeless in USA Webquest• http://questgarden.com/51/22/4/070608090111/index.htm• EFL teachers Web quest• http://www.creative-learner.com/• Spanish web quest descriptions• http://questgarden.com/38/22/0/070127141942/

Blogs

• Blogger

• https://www.blogger.com/start• International House Technology Blog• http://www.ihes.com/bcn/tt/eltblog/blog/

• Generation Yes Blog

• http://blog.genyes.com/wp-content/uploads/picture-32.png

• BBC Student Blogger

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/communicate/blog/student/

Podcasts

• Splendid Speaking Podcast

• http://www.splendid-speaking.com/index.html

• BBC podcasts

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/directory/