Week 14: Assessing Language through ICTs

Based on the article: ASSESSING LANGUAGE USING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

By: Dan Douglas and Volker Hegelheimer

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Computer-based second language assessment ca be use for assessing purposes and score of language tests.  Something I learned from this article and that every teacher should know was the benefit of computerization provide assessments and evaluations that can be shorter, better more efficient and suiter for students. Besides, in the article there is a part where it discusses Computer-Based Authoring Options, there a high variety of online web tool that can contain the CMSs (course management systems) and these have available some extensions depending on the language proficient. Adding to this part of the article one example of online sources where teacher can develop language test including responses type like

multiple-choice, multichoice, true-false, fill-ins, matching, and short answers using an exact-matching strategy is Moodle (http://www.moodle.org/). Some of the advantages of using CMS is they are developed to track where and when the learner log in the course, teachers can set periods of time to complete the assessment, teachers can set up the number of changes that students have to complete the task, and animation. Another CMS that really called my attention was

Discovery School’s Quiz Center (http://school.discovery.com/quizcenter/ ) because like Moodle is a free online tool where teachers can create multiple-choice, short-answer, true/false, or essay-type test tasks. Something I want to remember from this article is all the online tools presented because they are free and very good option to replace paper based tests

Week 13: Interactive Power Point Presentations in ESL Classrooms

Based on the article: 10 Benefits of Getting Students to Participate in Classroom Discussions By: Maryellen Weimer

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Increase Student Interaction with "Think Pair Shares" and "Circle Chats"

By: Kristina Robertson

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The article started by defining what participation is, as we know participation is one of the 3 elements for effective learning and it is one instructional strategy.  The article presented 10 Benefits of Getting Students to Participate in the classroom, but I goint to mention the ones I think all teachers should know and use during their classes. First, participation engages students. Students can get motivated if the teacher is constantly make students question themselves why, also they will find meaningful, Second, their interest, make them wonder why, get them to think. Students can have their opportunity of seeking student input over a topic. Third, participation can be used to develop important speaking skills. As an English teacher one of our main objective is that students will be able to develop the speaking skill and participation help students to speak with their pairs.

Week 12: Project-based Learning and ICTs

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Maximizing the Benefits of Project Work in Foreign Language Classrooms

By: Bülent Alan and Fredricka L . Stoller

This article presented how by including project work teachers achieve language learning. Something I want to remember from this article is that teachers can include project-based learning projects but in order to be maximize the project has to include collaboration, communication and critical thinking. The benefits of project-based learning projects are: engaging, gathering information, motivating and promoting autonomy.  Besides, project-based learning projects can be use during any course, the project work can be create depending of contextual factors, language program objectives, and available resources. In the article the author mentions short examples of project work in agriculture, engineering, physical education, EFL and tourism, during the project works teachers showcased a real-world project. Something I learned from this article and that every teacher should know was that at the end of a project base students has to gather information, develop critical thinking and use the language. My favorite quote from the article was “project work can be more effective when teachers relax their control, when students regard the teacher as a guide, and when students provide feedback on the experience so that projects can be improved” (  Sheppard and Stoller 1995 ) . The article showed that the big success of project works in learning is because it focusses on real word subjects/ topics , collaboration  , language focus and emphasis on the final project.

Week 11: CALL in Teaching Vocabulary

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Based on the articles:  Online English-English Learner Dictionaries Boost Word Learning by  Dr. Eli Hinkel

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Using Technology to Assist in Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension by Andreea I. Constantinescu

As students we have read how technologies support learning in reading, writing, speaking and listening; however, something I learned from this article and that every teacher should know was that every teacher has to use online dictionaries for effective learning. Online dictionaries are very useful for English learners and they are really good substitute of the heavy and complex dictionaries. A very good feature of the online dictionaries is that they have audio pronunciations of the words; on the other hand, traditional dictionaries only came with phonetic symbols. Besides, according to the author today online dictionaries are learner-centered, corpus-based, and informed by second language research and pedagogy; moreover, regular dictionaries are designed for native speakers. The author explained what a learner’s dictionaries look like, but the most important future is that they are learner-centered. A belief of mine that was confirmed when the author said “Vocabulary is one of those things where the rich get richer.

 The second article focus on the achievement of acquiring vocabulary and reading comprehension by the use of technology. acquisition of reading skills is very important in L1 and L2, learners read a variety of text in order to acquire and comprehend new vocabulary. After the author presented the benefits of CALL for vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension. CALL has a variety of software which contains high effectiveness because of its multimedia on reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition

Week 10: Mobiles Assisted Language Learning (MALL)

Based on the article: Twenty Ideas for Using Mobile Phones in the Language Classroom by Hayo Reinders.

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Who doesn’t have a cellphone? Everybody does and it seems that they came and they will be part of us every time! Something I learned from this article and that every teacher should know was that there are 20 practical ways to use mobile phones to support second language learning, and the advantage is that students can use their cellphones for learning process inside and outside of the classroom.  Also, it is easier for students have access to a cellphone than computers, and they have very similar functions as the computer as example emailing, texting, recording, and navigating. What surprised me in this article was how the author presented very creative activities for collaborative learning and communication. Besides, the article took a learning theory that learning is most likely to happen when the information is contextually relevant.  

Briefly, all the ideas presented by the author can offer a lot of opportunities to use cellphones for language learning, and the most important aspect is that students are very familiar and how to use a cellphone. I really think it is very challenging for a teacher find a way to use a mobile device as a learning tool, but this article really present good examples.  For teacher is very challenging use new technologies in teaching learning process because the use of these tools increases the workload; however, they can be really attractive and motivating for students.

Week 9: Process Writing and the Internet

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Based on: Online Collaborative Writing Using Wikis by Paul Sze

Wiki promoting collaborative learning and writting 

In this article the author described how he create a writing project using an online tool call “wikis”. Wiki according to the writer is a website where anyone can add, edit, rewrite or draft anything anytime anywhere and a space where students can express their ideas in writing. Also, wiki is an online tool which encourages to collaborative learning.  Wiki can be use during teaching / learning writing skill because it allows the 5-step writing process from drafting to publishing.  Something I learned from this article and that every teacher should know was how to develop a writing project using online tool as Wiki.  Something I want to remember from this article is how the author select a meaningful topic for the Wiki, as I have reflected since week 1 meaningful topic increase motivation.  

A belief of mine that was confirmed because during the reading it was explained the procedures of the writing process. As I mentioned in the begging of the reflection, Wiki is an online tool which students can develop the writing approach and the 5-step writing process. Besides collaborative learning is during the stages of creating the Wiki because students get involved in their classmates learning when they review the other peers work and students can share their thoughts. One advantage of using Wiki and cooperative learning is that students improve their writing skill and they are the one responsible of the organization of the writing. Another advantage is Wikis can promote collaborative learning.

Week 7: Reading/Writing Skill Building Websites

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Based on: Using Internet Based Children's Literature to Teach EFL by Larry Mikulecky

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Using the Internet in ESL Writing Instruction by Jarek Krajka

Teaching Reading and Writting Using Internet

Both readings begin with to situations one presents the problem of accessing to a sufficient range of simple literature in English in a form interest and language ability levels for children and young learners; on the other hand, the second article explores the issue of the use of internet as teaching aid while teaching students during writing genres. 
Something I learned from the first  article and that every teacher should know was that extensive reading using the variety of literature available on the internet can improve vocabulary, grammar, writing, reading and comprehension. In my classes What surprised me in this article was the scales presented by the author ¨Student should know at least 99- 95% a  of the vocabulary for mastery levels in L1 reading of English.

The second article in addition to explore the issues of the internet when teaching writing, propose how to use internet by some techniques for writing genres such as notice and an advertisement, a description of a festivalor ceremony, a description of a book film or play, a newspaper report, anopinion essay and a description of a place. Cooperative learning can enhance inonline classes and it promotes effective instructions of thinking skills and creativity.Email is the most use online source as instructional tool for writing activities,also emails improve the ELF learning writing abilities. Something that made mewant to read more about was when the author starts to presser ideas forteaching writing genres with help of the internet.

Week 6 Oral /Aural Skill Building Websites

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Based on: The employment of CALL in Teaching Second/Foreign Language Speaking Skill by Julia Gong

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Using Original Video and Sound Effects to Teach English by Shahla Yassaei

My favorite quote from the article was “computers accompanying software package and networks can be used in number of ways to assist language learning” I think that teachers can have the best computers of the world but they need more than hardware they need special software and network connection in order to have computer assisted learning. The article presents how computer can assist to teach language skills because they can stimulate motivate and allow communication. Being assisted by CALL during language learning covers the mechanical and meaningful aspects. Something that made me want to read more about was when the author presents two side of CALL “Every coin has two sides”. The disadvantages are very similar to the ones teachers face this days, but CALL will continue improving.

The second article mentioned that radio programs, television shows, newspapers and video-based activities are interesting and meaningful because they are context materials. Also, something I learned from this article and that every teacher should know was that there are a high variety of audio visual techniques which can help to developing abstract topics like grammar.  Videos allow teachers to plan a special interactive lesson, for students, videos provided with a meaningful audiovisual stimulus. Using a video to present a grammar topic (modals) was developed in different stages where the author described how the video was reordered, created , transferred , integrated in the lesson and  presented in a class.

Week 5 Critical Thinking Language Skills Development in CALL

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Based on the article Critical Thinking and Technology, (More Than About Technology) by Ken Bain

Technology Learning and some contributions

My initial reaction to of this article was this author is asking me three very strong questions:  how do we want students to think critically?  how can technology help teachers to encourage students to become the best ones?  and determine how and why people learn? To start with the author answered the last question and gave the following factors such as intrinsic motivations, reasoning abilities, students’ personalities and students' preconceptions; also, how these influence during human learning. A belief of mine that was confirmed students do not have blank minds waiting for copy and paste information, but I have studied that students have previous knowledge and previous experiences. Moreover, another factor which determined how humans learn is the high variety of learning styles auditory visual kinesthetic tactile, each person mind is different and feels more comfortable with a specific input.

The use of technology will have teachers move from the question how integrate technology during teaching to how we want students use technology to achieve learning. The first suggestion was visual to stimulate, contribute and hesitate students to critical thinking. Technology specially computers are tools for teachers that help to increase cognitive skills like analysis.  The second suggestion give the brain a good visual learning and provocative thought. Computer can create visual aids and pictures for student whose learning style is visual. However, pictorial presentations can be created by teachers to create a debate.

Week 4 Internet and English Language Teaching

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Based on the article CALL Me… Maybe: A Framework for Integrating the Internet into ELT

Internet can be Integrated into ELT classes

What surprised me in the article was the beginning because it made me realize how meaningful it will be for students if they could practice by playing different roles in the most famous web pages on the internet.  Could you imagine a student preparing an advertisement to sell a new pair of shoes on amazon and he has to present to the class or a student presenting his or her critics about the latest movie as rotten tomatoes. These activities could be used for any age, level of proficient or topic and they present a great opportunity for students to manipulate the language. Moreover, as the article mention the use of technology during a ELT  can increase learners’ motivation, engage learners, promote autonomy and aid retention.  My favorite quote from the article was “limited access generally implies limits to hardware, software and internet, but also it referred to the lack of desire, ability and opportunity to use technology in the classroom”However, I said that this article showed how to incorporate ICT during ETL even if the access is limited or not, and presented some reasons why teachers should consider integrate internet into ELT. Besides, the author has divide into two the role of the internet in a ELT class internet as tutor and internet as a tool. This framework presented by the article made me want to read more about and explore the different web pages. I will really recommend this article is my favorite  till the moment! 

Week 3 Blending Technologies in ESL Courses

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Based on the article Blending Technologies in ESL courses:A reflexive
enquiry by:Paul Gruba, Cameron Clark, Kellyn Ng and Marisa Wells

Authentic Listening by Podcasts

Something I want to remember from this article is the word ¨authenticity¨ because this is one of the three criteria of well-designed materials for listening like podcasts.  Podcasts provide a high variety of accents, genders, topics, situations and contexts from native speakers. If students use a high variety of authentic materials during learning activities they will noticed the importance and purpose of the task. Also, podcasts boost learner´s motivation because they are innovating. As an example, a student can feel motivate if the can understand a post cast between to native speakers. Podcasts are very common during listening classes because they are recorded listening materials; however, I asked myself what makes different post cast from tapes and CDs? The article answered this particular question I had by the phrase ¨ purpose built¨ to meet learners’ needs and authenticity.

Something I learned from this article and that every teacher should know was that when you teach listening the use must be for “learning to listen” and “listening for learning¨   These two phrases are my favorite ones from all the article.  

What surprised me in this article was how close are the hindrances presented on the article that delayed the use of technology form Salvadorian education. Not all students have access to a computer , podcasts or even a recorder  this is very common in public education. 

Week 2 Developing Autonomous Learning Abilities in CALL

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Based on the article: Effectiveness of the Integration of ICT Tools and Activities to Foster Awareness as the First Stage to Reach Learning Autonomy

ICT as Booster  for Autonomy

 I am going start my log about “Effectiveness of integration of ICT” with a short anecdote. When I downloaded the article of week two and started reading the tittle I was wondering what ICT means. I tried to investigate using internet and I found that ICT stated for information communication technology according to the Cambridge dictionary I will left the link above. Since the moment I used a computer, internet and a website I realized that using technology and a computer I learned something which I didn’t know. In simply words I learned from this previous experience that using technology I can learn something by myself, and the article defined this process as “autonomy”.

The article explained the development of autonomy and metacognition strategies, these two-cognitive processes helped students to have effective learning. A belief of mine that was confirmed in the article because it mentioned that the autonomy and metacognitive strategies have the students to be responsible of their own learning. Besides, the article presented how ITC and metacognition activities such are useful for students to develop their thinking skills

I will have in mind the following activities from the article planning, setting goals, describing procedures, monitoring, controlling performances and solving problems as activities that can be used to promote autonomy because they can be increase the use of ICT in the classroom. All these strategies among ICT encourage students learning development. 

ICT meaning found at https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/diccionario/ingles/ict

Week 1 Computer Assisted Language Learning: An overview

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Based on the article:  Computer and Language Learnig: an overview 

by Mark Warschaer and Deborah Healey

Using Computers in the Language Classroom

The article ¨Computer and Language learning: an overview¨ by Mark Warschaer and Deborah Healey starts with a sentence which called my attention “using computers in the language classroom” Among language teachers use technology such as computer during the learning process has become very popular since computers were created. 
The reading divided in four parts the use of computer; the first overview is the history of a software CALL which has three main stages and somehow the article described the development of the software. Theses stages (behaviouristic, communicative and integrative) have the same goal; they are centered in encounter students to self-learning and individual work. However, something that I reinforced by reading this article was the fundamental role of the teacher as facilitator. 
The article presents some benefits of adding a computer while teaching a second language and the one that call my attention the most was “exploratory learning with large amounts of language data”. A computer with internet can give students access to a high variety of listening, reading and writing material Something I really like about this article is when it mentions that computers and networks will have a fundamental role as authentic tool for language learning and will be part in every second language classroom.  
As a student of a second language I have been surrender by computers during my learning process , when you read these kind of materials you realized thatcomputers help to create your own learning. However as language teaching student , I get a different role as a facilitator and moderator between computers and students´ learning.