Saturday, September 29, 2012
I feel that using technology is extremely helpful because it gives teachers the opportunity to go above the what is available just in the textbook. There is such a variety of technology that is available to to teachers and many of them don't take that advantage. I know when I am a teacher that I will use technology because it helps reinforce that material in a way that students are more familiar with. With technology there is an infinite amount of data on the topic of foreign language teaching that with out it students would not be getting the best education they could. With the idea of social networking I feel that it can be used to an extent. Blog and Wiki are excellent examples of good social networking features that are useful for teaching because it encourages students to go into a discussion. Facebook and twitter are not so good in my opinion because people over use them. From personal experience I do not want to see my classes popping up on my news feed. Also so many people use facebook that it can easily distract you from doing homework or trying to have a discussion like on blog. Twitter is also over used in my opinion because so many people tweet stupid things or thing that would distract you. The second life video was interesting but I do think that it would be a good tool for learning a second language because some people may not be interested into a program like second life. If your interested in computer simulations like this then it may prove beneficial but I would never use second life in my class.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like your comment about how technology can make more materials available to the teacher and thus to the students. I've been in schools where teachers only really have access to a textbook; no video supplements, no audio recordings of native speakers, etc. I agree that access to technology and the internet can help fill in the missing pieces and even expand the teaching and learning options, so students that don't normally learn in the traditional way can have more opportunities to learn in ways that work for them. However, I feel that in order to be useful, the teachers need to be trained to use the technology and to apply it properly.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the social networking comments. I think social networking is a huge distraction to students - to the point where attempting to use it in an educational way would be a struggle. I think that the blog and wikis are excellent ways for students to communicate and express their opinions as well as be sure that everyone is participating.
ReplyDeleteI also think technology is important, however I think that it can also be over done. When I took French in high school, I felt like all we did was watch videos and movies and listen to songs. At the same time, this teacher wasn't using technology effectively.
It's good to hear that you're open to using technology in the classroom setting. I think it is pertinent that our students have a multi-media experience when it comes to language learning. I also agree that some sites and technology formats are more suitable and conductive towards learning. I think social networking would be distracting, but at the same time if they can use that to connect with native speakers then I think it would help more.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of variety in technology is definitely wonderful, but I agree that Twitter is not a very good learning site. While it's true that it makes people be concise and it's easy to interact, I not only plain do not like the site, but as you said people tweet really stupid things. It's hard to have any real, meaningful conversation when all you're thinking about it how many characters you have left, too.
ReplyDelete