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.