The use of blogs through LAI 684 has enhanced my learning of ESL teaching techniques. For example, I was able to learn more about the practical application of hands on, inquiry based science through Tim lauer's blog. Also, I was able to learn about the educational uses of Flickr through a recent posting on Aaron Campbell's blog.
Also, besides learning about techniques or approaches that can be useful to me as a teacher, these blogs have demonstrated how useful internet networking can be to students. For future lessons I would look to create a community of blogs for my learners and a school of learners in another city or country. As I am looking to teach English language learners in a public elementary school here in the U.S. I am envisioning that many of them will come to the U.S, as immigrants or refugees with little knowledge of English. Therefore creating a blog on Blogger and deciphering the complicated language found on a typical blog will most likely be too difficult for many of them. However, creating a partnership with a class of similarly proficient ESL students and using a more simplified format discussion board type of format would allow my students to develop their language skills and technological skills at the same time.
What do you think? Any suggestions on what kind of program I could use please let me know.
Thanks,
Greg
2 comments:
To make use of technology to teach is a good idea. But I think something important that we should take into consideration. For example, it is impossible for every student to have access to the internet. Also, it is impossible for every family to have one computer at home. We can’t expect every student can finish all the assignment on line. So, It will be wonderful if every student can get a free laptop from the school and can get on line at home. The reason I think so is that this can diminish the effect which is caused by the distance between the poor and the rich. With the development of technology, students not only can learn in the classroom but also at home. However, this kind of new trend of learning is very disadvantageous for students who come form the poor family. As teachers, we should notice and take care about these children especially when we use technology to teach.
Ooops, I was a little confused that the background setting was the same as mine. I thought my window didn't work.^^
Anyway, I also think linking internet communities with other regions or countries is one of the greatest assets that Internet has. Children are easily likely to make friends across the border. If the teacher offers opportunities to make friends from new cultures, they might be more enthusiastically engaged in learning another language.
Jinyoung
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