Hi everybody,
I think we have done enough reading this week so let's change the approach.
Here are the links to two videos I'd like you to watch. Once you have watch them post your comments to the following question: Is the use of Educational technology taking us away from the real nature of teaching? Don't forget to reply to one of your partners' comments.
If you have the time you can also complement the information by reading pages 195 -197 in your TEFL book.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA1Aqp0sPQo
http://www.ted.com/talks/ramsey_musallam_3_rules_to_spark_learning#t-381128
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ReplyDelete“All extremes are dangerous. It is best to keep in the middle of the road, in the common ruts, however muddy.”
ReplyDeleteVirginia Woolf
Dear TEFL fellows, please read this with a grain of salt.
One of the worst consequences of the plateau effect in teachers is commonly found in the fact that we tend to be opinionated and we are not very open to explore new reasons and different ways to approach the creation of knowledge. In other words, we often assume that our world is -or should be- a setting of simple causes that should produce simple consequences.
Too elementary my dear Watson, teaching should be seen as a science that requires open minds since it has the most important goal: the future of humankind.
As well a British author C.P. Snow warned the world in The Two Cultures, a 1959 lecture in which he laments the gap between the science and the humanities, in educational forums like this there is a lot of discussion around the fact that educational technology is taking teachers away from the real nature of teaching.
On one side of the discussion, a vast number of students and teachers say technology has helped them achieve their academic goals and they also think that learning is more fun and efficient with technological tools.
We all know that technology has been a part of learning for centuries, and as it has changed over the years, so, too, has its importance to the teaching process. Therefore, it would be absurd to consider technology by itself as a threat since it provides great resources and tools that allow students and teachers to reach higher goals and save a lot of time.
On the other side of the discussion, teachers, especially the youngest generations, should keep in mind that technology does not inevitably produce the best results. As most of us agreed on Mr. Sastoque’s second forum, students and teachers are by themselves the most important resources in a class.
Nowadays “the use of strategies that increase the probability the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences and making decisions” (Halpern, 1996) has become the most effective tools to guide our students in their search for knowledge, with or without technological tools.
Hello Juan,
DeleteI found your post interesting because of the way you contrasted extremes of this problem. Like, does technology build a sense of belonging, or does it alienate people? Does it promote or hinder engagement in learning settings? I agree with you on the idea that we teachers have to leave our comfort zones and we ought to be risky to discover what the updated virtual settings can do for our learners (and for us teachers as learners). Have a good evening.
I have one comment about your comment Juan. Good job. Reflection on these issues leaves a lot to ponder and delve into. I wonder about the chemistry teacher though. He said: "curiosity". I agree with him in the sense that we are not sifting this element.
DeleteOn the other hand, I agree with you when you say that technology does not always yield the best results.
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ReplyDeleteDear all,
ReplyDeleteThe two videos in the links below were very interesting for me because they relate to ways in which we can approach technology in education. Also, they illustrate ways to understand the nature of pedagogy. I can see clearly in the videos two main traditions that understand education very differently. In this post, I’ll describe them, and then I’ll offer my guess about how technology could reconcile them both (in my humble opinion), to give education in the 21st century a more humane direction.
The Australian commercial for the AITSL seemed to me like a very cheerful and attractive display of what can be named as “Teaching as banking”. I’m sorry but I forgot which scholar coined this term and I couldn’t find a reliable source. Anyway, quite a few educators and theorists understand education as a customarily accepted act of banking. For them, for the past centuries, education has mainly been the endeavor of putting things (knowledge) in people’s minds, so they are fit to apply and replicate technical expertise in order to sustain their communities economically. This may sound like an anti-liberalism rant, but if we look closely at our own beliefs, there is so much of this “teaching as banking” going on in what we do on a daily basis in our classes. The commercial shows the most updated scenarios of technology in education, and it tells us about new ways to structure curricula that aim at preparing students for the 21st century, but then again, preparing them only in terms of how learners can use technology to beat the present challenges of harsh economies.
Conversely, the TED talk “3 Rules to Spark Learning” clearly depicts for me “Teaching as humanism”. This view envisions education as a means for intellectual and spiritual awakening, not only for individuals but also for communities as a whole; and needless to say, not only seeking economic growth. Personally, I really liked those moments in the talk when Ramsey Musallam defended inquiry and curiosity as two of the foundations of humane, useful knowledge.
In terms of his approach to technology, I agree with the idea that technology is useful in education providing it helps to build in people intellectual and critical traits and values that we can accept as desirable without restrictions.
The question I'm thinking about now is-how can we make these opposing but necessary views of education and educational technologies co-exist and get along?
To begin with, I’m thinking that we could come up with ways in which technology is used to foster learning that is “built” in community. Like these forums ;-)
Another idea could be that, rather than subjecting learners to “death by PowerPoint”, we can always take advantage of the updated online resources and technology to promote autonomy but also community.
Finally, another meaningful moment in the TED talk that spoke to me personally was when Musallam was thinking about what awaits his daughters, and what future of education might be. At that moment, I thought and felt that he was looking for a reason to hope.
Regarding educational technology, for me that hope looks like new ways to use technology to nurture both technical expertise and intellectual traits, so learners and teachers can build together new values and knowledge that help us become better citizens in the 21st century.
Impressive post Dr. Mejía!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and thanks for giving us a nice point of view to reflect.In special, I want to express my gratitude for having found the critique of Paulo Freire’s banking concept of education in this forum.
Freire has always been one of my heroes and my generation was certainly inspired by proposal of considering every student as a person who thinks and reflects about creating himself from the inside out. His proposal is aimed at helping students transform their reality to liberate themselves from oppression. According to this, promoting creativity is the most important teachers’ issue.
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DeleteThe gratitude is mine. Thanks for reminding about the name of the thinker who came up with the concept of "Education as banking", and thank you for reading!
Deleteinspired by his proposal*
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ReplyDeleteIt is no secret that using technology in the classroom has been a controversial debate because parents, teachers and students alike have weighed and argued the potential benefits versus the risks and consequences of classroom technology, especially when referring to the integration of tools into the everyday education experience.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the use of technology in the education field is not taking us away from the real nature of teaching; on the contrary; it is a very worthwhile and meaningful tool teachers can use to make students be more engaged in learning. Besides, we need to bear in mind that technology could provide a high-end environment and an interactive learning experience since there are numerous means in which teachers could use technology in their classroom. Every method is providing countless of benefits, which could be imparted to students. All in all, technology in education is playing a crucial role in enhancing the skills and knowledge of the people across the Globe.
Nevertheless, technology is a bit of a double-edged sword if it is not used right; therefore, I want to mention that teachers have to be very careful when implementing the use of any technological devices in the classroom because it can be a distraction, majorly when the students are using for the personal reasons while class is going on.
To sum up, Technology in education is fostering the habits of study and skills of the students as well as opening doors to new experiences, new ways of learning and collaborating, and new discoveries in the classroom. So, Give it a shot and see what you can learn as well!
Hi Octavio, I enjoyed reading your comments and I agree with you that we, as teachers, have to be careful when implementing technology to our class since, technology is a tool, and like all tools, it can be helpful or harmful depending on how we use them.
DeleteDespite the ongoing discussion surrounding the efficacy of digital devices in the classroom, we must face the fact that smartphones are already being utilized by students of all ages and if we want a real revolution in education, we should make our best effort to attract and keep our best people in our schools. Technology can be a powerful force in that effort when guided by leaders who understand what students and teachers need to do their best.
Congratulations on your concise post Octavio. I guess most of us agree on the benefits of education technology and the risks of integrating its tools into the education experience.
DeleteOf course , there are many advantages to incorporating technology in education and ignore them would more than absurd. One of the challenges now for us is to deepen reflection skills in our students and encourage the use of creativity to solving real problems.
We strongly agree when you say that we must be careful because the technology can become a double-edged sword. Now teachers should promote inclusion and prevent the social fragmentation produced by social networks in many of our students.
Greetings.
because technology can become*
DeleteUsing ET is not taking teachers away from the nature of teaching, since it is about the trust and bond between a teacher and students (and parents) that creates the environment where learning can occur and grow. Virtual learning simply cannot do that. No 'new models of learning' can ever compromise or threaten the essence of what a teacher is, always has been and always will be.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, using cell phones and other technological devices in class could be very beneficial for the educational process; I wouldn't place technology as an enemy or a rival, but as a complement that can enhance the learning experience by providing instant information.
With the internet access, students are exposed to a world of creative ideas and both, students and teachers, have access to an endless array of options available, not just to help them learn, but to gain skills they might not otherwise have the access to.
Colombo should allow students the use of digital devices in the classroom. They could, for example, implement some rules like restraint from personal use in the classrooms so students can be taught in a different and funnier way. I believe the focus of smartphone use in the classroom should shift from not “if” they should be used, but “how” to best use them. The fact is that students are using smartphones every day, and they are using them to learn. Teachers can be a positive force in helping students uses them properly in the classroom
Mary I totally agree about letting our students use their digital devices and take advantage of that in the classes. I am totally convinced that when we show them how to use their smartphones with educational purposes, their learning process will become easier and funnier.
DeleteAfter watching the two amazing videos I can say technology in the classroom is not going to replace the nature of teaching, but it is going to help us a lot, in guiding our students to go along with sources that will make their learning process in a fun way.
ReplyDeleteHaving Technology in the classroom might be as helpful and useful for our students to achieve their learning process goals, and distracting and time consuming at the same time.
They sometimes work hard on on-line activities and amazing and hands-on websites but they also tend to spend class time on entertainment and other sites like social networks. Although they are supposed to be working on their assignment, they do not work on these sources for educational aims specially when their teacher do not control their time.
To avoid this, teachers have to be well prepared to integrate Internet into instruction. Our students are living in a very technological world now so we nneed to take advantage of that for their own benefit and ours too.
;)
I totally agree with your comment about how technology can be distracting and time consuming. You have perfectly explained to us how to cope with this difficult issue. However, dealing with this situation is not easy. At Convenios for example this is one of the most frequent "discipline" problem we have on a daily basis. Because as you all know, cellphones are not allowed in class. :(
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DeleteHello Gina,
DeleteI agree with you when you say that technology is not going to replace teachers because I think we are important in the learning process. I would like to add that the problem is that sometimes teacher exaggerate and use it as the only tool available and forget that it should be used as a complement in the learning process to increase productivity.
Hi Gina,
DeleteI absolutely agree with your point of view and opinion about the use of technology in class. There's no doubt that technology can play a crucial role in enhancing students' learning process since it makes it more effective and fun, but also it is vital to bear in mind that it can be harmful if we are not alert because it can be a distraction, especially when the learners are using it for personal reasons while class is going on.
Congratulations María for your punctual contribution to the forum!
ReplyDeleteWe both agree on the fact that education and technology do not have compete and neither one of them has to replace the other. It is quite natural that education –as well as any other science- needs to catch up to interact with current circumstances and incorporate the available resources to best provide benefits to students.
Our students today come to class with a deeper background and a lot more information than the ones we had ten years ago; therefore, we could not keep the same “successful” strategies we implemented in our classes before.
Very interesting post Maria. Have a nice weekend.
have to compete *
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that the use of ET is not taking us away from the real nature of teaching. Technology is a very important and meaningful tool not only for teachers but also for all kind of people.
ReplyDeleteThe digital world has caught on increasingly this century, that is why we can’t leave it out in our teaching practice.
The concept of living in a globalized and hyper-connected world must be understood by all teachers not matter what kind of subject we teach. The goal for all of us should be to engage students in a diverse and creative way to learn. Because nowadays, learning can happen anyway and everywhere as it was said in one of the videos. Therefore, it is in our hands not to forget why we chose this amazing way of making a living. So, we can not let the passion for teaching die or disappear because of technology. In spite of the spread of digital books, on line centers of learning, thousand of digital resources, we as teachers, are the “capitans of the ship”. Not loosing this role is the biggest challenge of the 21st century.
We are the main cultivators of curiosity in the class, - which is closely related to motivation. In my view, after being in an amazing class, students are eager to keep on learning by themselves. So, technology is the biggest option they have because materials for learning are offered idependent of time and place. However, learners need effective guidence which has to be provided by us.
I have come to the conclusion that technology can be a door to a great source of knowledge but must be well managed by instructors or teachers. If students are exposed to good and recommendable digital multimedia technologies, they will engage in inherently more autentic forms of language use, for example through a webquest, where students have to interact with autentic materials. As a result, learning must be more effective.
To sum up with my opinion about this topic, I will give you the following formula for you to keep it in mind: Well prepared teachers + excellent class delivery = Motivated students. Motivated students + effective use of technology = knowledge.
Notice that in this formula the teacher is playing one of the main roles. Do you guys want to keep your role as captain or will you let technology take you away from your nature? I do want to continue growing the seeds of real learning only found in the needs of my students – their curiosity!!!
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DeleteHi Jen! I love your formula! I think it really summarizes the answer to the question of this forum. If we have motivation there's nothing we can't learn.
DeleteOn the other hand, you got me thinking when you stated that not loosing our role of captains of the ship is the biggest challenge of the 21st century, I totally agree with that!
Before answering to the question “Is the use of Educational technology taking us away from the real nature of teaching?” I wonder if there is a REAL nature of teaching. I mean, teachers before teaching should get prepared, go to college, get some training and learn as much as they can about teaching but who does or did establish what the real nature of teaching is?
ReplyDeleteSome of the charm of being a teacher is based on being autonomous. Schools and books can tell you what, when and where to teach but we are the ones who decide how to do it. And here is when educational technology comes. If our institutions are equipped with technology, why not using it.
Most of us are used to the old-school method of using a board and marker and we are afraid to get out of our comfort zone or we just don’t want to spend some time getting online and finding out something great for our students. Or maybe we don’t want to change the way we teach.
We sometimes forget that change is not an option, it is a must. Our students are constantly asking for more, they get tired or bored easily and we have to find ways to keep them motivated. Therefore, we have to start making changes and redefining the way we teach to provide students with awesome experiences inside and outside the classroom.
At times, we may only see the downsides of technology but in my personal opinion there are more advantages than disadvantages. In the youtube video they mention online exams which I think it is a nice tool because we could save a lot of time and paper, we could make them more challenging and complete by using videos and high definition images and we can have control of time.
The previous strategy was only one out of hundreds of ideas we can get from educational technology. Thus, to enrich our teaching skills we just need to go online, start exploring and we’ll find ourselves amazed at the endless possibilities.
Hi Melo,
DeleteI totally agree with you and with what you think about teaching. It is completely true that as much as teachers are prepared, they need to be autonomous and also change the teaching process every day. That's the wonderful part of teaching; we are like doctors who need to be updated every single day because more things are being discovered and changed.
Technology has become a wonderful tool to encourage students to a self-learning process and also to help teacher use new and interesting strategies.
Your comment made me think about the wonderful world we have and the fact as teachers, we could change students' lives through many strategies like the use of technology :)
Hi Melo,
DeleteI really liked your post and I agree with you that using ET has more advantages than disadvantages. It is our duty as teachers to try to get the best of technology and to mimimize the downsides it may have. This is the opportunity for us to refresh our techniques and be an active part of the educational revolution we are having when it comes to deal with technology and our changing world.
We all live in a globalized world, full of opportunities, strategies and all kind of technology which has changed our lives. For some people technology has become a curse and for others, a blessing. Both opinions are correct whether we think about the advance of medical technology which have saved many lives around the world or it has made people slaves of it.
ReplyDeleteThe teaching-learning process is not the exception where technology has taken a part in; it has become the way students could learn easier and faster and that’s why “normal” education has changed. Teachers are not the same as they were 50 years ago; they became instructors, guides, helpers, the motivation of student’s curiosity and the answer to their questions. That’s why as teachers, it’s our duty to motivate students not only to learn and discover new things every day, but also to use external tools to satisfy their needs of learning. Technology is part of the process; it opens a whole world of information to students and helps teachers to fulfil students’ curiosity and to achieve their goals. This amazing tool could be used in so many different ways to develop and make students work on all their skills, but we do not have to forget that this is just a TOOL; teachers are still necessary in the classroom, in the students’ learning process because we are the ones who could answers all their questions, the ones who can guide them to do always a better job and to encourage them to achieve their goals.
So, according to what I wrote, as a conclusion I would like to add that technology is a wonderful tool all teachers we can use in a way or another, from asking students to do a power point presentation to go to English chat rooms. What we cannot forget is the way we use that tool: carefully and wisely, and the purpose of it: to teach students and to engage them to achieve their educational goals.
Rosana, I strongly agree with this statement found on your post "That’s why as teachers, it’s our duty to motivate students not only to learn and discover new things every day, but also to use external tools to satisfy their needs of learning. Technology is part of the process; it opens a whole world of information to students and helps teachers to fulfil students’ curiosity and to achieve their goals". "Teachnology", as I picture this topic, is the awereness we have to raise not only in our students but among our colleagues who might feel reluctant towards the benefits of using technology as a tool to provide information, further practice and more important to create autonomous students.
DeleteRosana, I strongly agree with this statement found on your post "That’s why as teachers, it’s our duty to motivate students not only to learn and discover new things every day, but also to use external tools to satisfy their needs of learning. Technology is part of the process; it opens a whole world of information to students and helps teachers to fulfil students’ curiosity and to achieve their goals". "Teachnology", as I picture this topic, is the awereness we have to raise not only in our students but among our colleagues who might feel reluctant towards the benefits of using technology as a tool to provide information, further practice and more important to create autonomous students.
DeleteI am responding to Professor Willy's question. He asked: "Is the use of Educational technology taking us away from the real nature of teaching?" Below you will find two perspectives.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I believe that technology is important for language teaching. Listening can best be acquired when students listen to documentaries, movie scenes, and authentic audio materials. Also, culture can be understood through authentic cultural artifacts such as images, videos, and audio tracks.
On the other hand, reading comprehension is better acquired through paper even though school districts all over the world favor ebooks and digital documents. Research has demonstrated that students read more slowly when using Ipads or any other type of technological device (Jabr, Ferris, 2013). Research has also demonstrated that 'modern screens and e-readers fail to adequately recreate certain tactile experiences of reading on paper that many people miss and, more importantly, prevent people from navigating long texts in an intuitive and satisfying way" (Jabr Ferris, 2013, p. 1).
Second, I consider that some of us teachers are teaching themes and topics that fail to serve the needs of all learners in all contexts. For example, when I went to the American South no teacher in Colombia ever taught me how people in North Carolina speak. They taught me that we always say: "I am going to move", for instance. When I was moving into a new house in NC, a new neighbor told me: "well, it seems that you're fixing to move". I said "yes" out of politeness, but weeks later I discovered what he had meant. Based on this example I conclude that we might be teaching the English of of a dominant culture rather the language varieties that are also part and parcel of the English world. Technology would thus help us to bridge this gap.
Based upon my my experience in the United States and in England I thus theorize that we need to go beyond the classroom and the textbook. I believe that we need to use the textbook, but it is only a tool towards reality. It is not reality.
I conclude by agreeing with what Ramsey Musallam told us in his video. We, teachers, need three things to make teaching worthwhile, i.e, first, we need to spark curiosity among our students. Second, we need to experiment and I would state that we need to do research. Last but not least he talks about "reflecting" about our teaching and our students' learning.
Education, as all the other fileds, has to transform itself constantly in regard technology. Our students have the right to be given the tools to succeed in our workforce and in life. Education as well as educators cannot keep on being caterpilars. We have to go under a metamorphosis. We have to innovate by using everything technology has to offer. I guess the real problem lies on the way we have thought about how technology (computers, softwares, cell phones, Ipod, among others) might eventually put our jobs at risk and we have forgot that those tools are just that...tools. we (teachers and students) are the ones who use those tools to make the teaching/learning process go smoothly. As Juan Pacheco said in his post, all extreme sides are dangerous. Not using technology in class at all will lead our students to think that it is not important to keep up with the world's needs or overusing it in class will make our students think that we don't want to be involved in their learning process and that's why we rely on computers or cell phones. So our challenge is to become maganers of those resources and get the best out of them without giving the impression they have the control of our class. As teachers, we have to orchestrate our class including the vast array of options available through technology instead of becoming slaves of technology.
ReplyDeleteChange:
ReplyDelete1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone,
to change the course of history.
2. to transform or convert,
Thesaurus.com
Change!!! This is a word I really like and enjoy using since its meaning is a reflection of the pedagogical work of a teacher. We are not the same we graduated 5, 7, 10 years ago, we do not teach the same way and definitely, our students and the world we have now have changed. And it is here, where the ET enter the scene and have a meaningful role inside our teaching process and, of course, in the way our students acquire the knowledge we try to share with them.
For the reasons mentioned above, I believe that using technology in a classroon is not taking us away of the real nature of teaching, I am convinced that ET are an ally when it comes to get the best of our practice thus, obtain a positive and significant outcome. However, too much of something could be dangerous, so it is our responsibility to be very careful when applying an activity or using a resource that requires Technology.
Technology in class is a very sensitive topic not only for schools and teachers but also for students and parents. before implementing ET in class, we have to ask ourselves some questions, among these: How much time should I spend using technology in class? and how can I adapt them to our syllabus in order to achieve our goals? I think this is the real challenge of a teacher. It is not to avoid what we may think is different, thus is not useful but to try to integrate it to our classes and give it a meaning. To strenght its benefits and to mimimize its downsides.
ET can be a powerfu element if implemented with dinamism, responsibility but above all with a purpose. It is not using technology because I want to be "a modern teacher" ET do not take us away from the nature of teaching, because, is it not true that nature itself is changing constantly? shouldnt we act the same with our classes?
The youtube video is a perfect summary of how technology has become an active part in the teaching-learning process, and if we want to take part of the 21st century revolution in education, we need to start accepting changes but also making them.
Liked the way you started your post. Using definitions really helps the readers connect the questions to your input.
DeleteI have not read all the posts, but all of us probably agree one way or another with your view on ET in the classroom and probably outside of it.
Whether we like it or not, we do influence our students, we help shape their lives and we are part of that change that you mention, so making the right decision on how to use technology to help our students in a meaningful way is what w , teachers, old and new, expert and novice, should strive to do.
As a digital immigrant, I may argue that this is what technology does: rob students from the real interaction that goes on in a classroom between the teacher and the students and among the students themselves. And I may be right, but I may also be scared of what technology means to my job as a teacher considering that my options using all types of technological devices and the everchanging social media are limited.
ReplyDeleteBut the truth is that teachers should always analyze their own work and, technology or not, effective teachers do reflect on their own teaching: Did we succeed in helping our students learn by getting them actively involved in their own learning process? Did we make them aware of the importance of being proactive in finding answers to so many questions themselves? Did we motivate them enough to want to go on in spite of many obstacles and challenges?
I believe that both videos are showing us reality. It is a reality that ET is not here to impress students on how savvy we are with these gadgets, it is just part of today’s world. Right now, things are happening really fast because of technology. What we, digital immigrants, have to do is use it to our advantage because it may be an effective tool to reach our students more easily because that is the world they are growing up in. What we can’t do is let a machine replace the job of a person in the flesh - that human contact that is so necessary to get to know our students better and to be able to help them face all the challenges this everchanging world has.
The Australian video just shows reality and wants us to be ready for what is already happening in full forcé, and, of course, at the same time they are also selling the idea that they are prepared to face the challenges of education in the 21st century. The chemistry teacher is not really against technology. In fact, his student uses technology to send him the video of her experimenting with the same type of activity, so in a way, he is also using it. He just wants his colleagues to be aware that student questions are important because it shows they are interested, getting messy is OK and that reflecting on our own performance keeps us relevant.
In order to gain good communication skills nowadays, learners need to be able to get in contact with others in different ways. Writing, listening and speaking skills are still difficult to deal with, but these abilities are essential if we want to communicate through modern media such as social media, YouTube, blogs and wikis. These sites are particularly important in different areas such as education economy, media and health. Imagine the majority of students practicing their English by playing a role of a film director or reporter on digital storytelling. On the internet, students have an authentic context in which they share their lives through expressive narrative and eye-catching imagery on social media organizers.
ReplyDeleteEach online activity focuses on efficient tasks which explore the style and content of a particular form and thus get students to concentrate on communicating effectively.
The importance of the use of technological resources is not only to deliver a productive teaching environment, but also to guide learners and to provide them with new ways of assessment. It is also crucial for us teachers to dedicate a good amount of time to learn as much as possible about creating and establishing effective instructional environment design across the disciplines.
Electronic Learning allows people to learn anytime and anywhere. It facilities education and knowledge acquisition with both by synchronous and asynchronous methodologies and thus effectively rapidly acquire knowledge in productive environments.
To sum up, when we talk about students, technology:
• Increases students’ motivation.
• Promotes a student-centered class delivery
• Increases students’ autonomy and responsibility.
• Promotes cooperative learning.
I do agree on the fact that one of the main advantages of all these technological possibilities relies on the use of authentic material to expose students to real English. For us, teaching English as a foreign language, it is difficult to help students keep that connection outside the classrooms and this wide range of sites and components gives us, and them, a chance to ensure authentic communication in a non-native environment. Definitely, I also think that within the class time there is not enough time to develop all skills and technology offers learners the way to continue at home and at their own pace. What is really important is to always keep in mind that it is just way to motivate students and compliment their learning.
DeleteThe key would be in finding the perfect balance to blend all the available tools an educator may have to help students acquire new knowledge, develop communicative skills and grow values. The twenty first century student goes for reflective learning rather than just accepting things the way teachers say, just per se. Considering technology in education just one more out of a thousand tools a teacher may find to transmit knowledge and develop skills, turns it into just a component of the teaching/learning process. As any other tool, technology offers teachers and students the means to enlarge the possibilities to have access to new trends and also keeps us all connected to the global world. Teachers will never be replaced by technology. Teachers are the only ones who can show care and understanding for each student’s needs and process. Humans deal with humans, technology alone by itself would have no sense. Technology in education can be considered as just a trendy approach and another learning style to guide our students and facilitate their learning process. On the other hand, it is also not meant for all type of students. As if we find a learner who is not a tech savvy, this person might feel uncomfortable with constant use of this tool to enhance his/her process. Thus, as teachers we must have the ability to determine how much to exploit the technological component vs. conventional teaching. Anything that we overuse will end up distracting us from the main point of teaching which is … real learning. Good or evil, teachers decide to what extent.
ReplyDeleteI agree Piedad, teachers are the ones who know what is convenient to their students and we are here to help them through their way to succeed. Technology is good, but we must be careful with their usage. :D
DeleteWeeks ago my husband asked me about the possibility of raising a child without letting him/her use tablets, computers or cell phones in their early childhood. His concern was based on the negative behavior some kids around us have when their parents do not let them use these devices. I replied using two words: “Evolution” and “Control”.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were kids we welcomed computers in our homes, now all these gadgets and apps welcome the kids. It is almost impossible to keep them away from something that is part of their environment, but you need to have control and balance. I apply this to the teaching and learning process because it is expected that technology works as a tool for educators to meet the educational needs of all students. Technology benefits our jobs by providing us with material for students, letting us interact with them and their parents, have instant access to information, but it does not guarantee that it will improve the teaching-learning process.
Teachers are responsible of the usage of technology, from the moment we plan our classes (setting the goals) to the moment we assign homework to our students. The idea is not leaving them alone with the computers, but guiding them on the way to produce positive results.
The first video invites us to be super ready to get involved in this evolution so it does not leave us behind, which is totally acceptable. In the second video the presenter shows the importance of the teacher’s role in students’ learning, the importance of making them think twice, observe, experiment and reflect and this is something we can do with technology if we use it properly.
I strongly agree with you Lili, Control is the key to succeed in teaching using ET. We have to know how to use technology and guide our students to use it in the right way too.
DeleteI don´t really think that the use of ET is taking us away from the real nature of teaching.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe that technology and education are a great combination if used together for the right purpose.
Technology is everywhere and we as teachers can take advantage of that. Most of our students are experts on using technological gadgets and mobile apps which help them learn easily. Why not channelize their learning through these devices. For example: nowadays students who like to read don´t have to go to a physical library to read a book, they can access a full library via a mobile app on any smart phone. Thus, they can work on their reading skills.
And this is only one of the things students can do by using technology. They can also get to know new information or explanations without going out of the house, in this way students become more independent and responsible for their own learning process, while teachers become guides and facilitators.
Another important thing about technology is that it helps us motivate our students. As we know sometimes it is difficult to engage students in learning. However they enjoy the class when the teacher uses a video beam, TV or when we take them to multimedia room to do a different activity.
I would like to sum up my position by saying we can´t underestimate the power of ET in the teaching process.
Ruth Lozano
“Cats are sober creatures, they always try to hide their poop. On the other hand, humans open Facebook accounts, generate webpages, invent image boards and do the impossible to show theirs” This thought is not mine but it summarizes what I think about technology and represents my enthusiasm for it. A lot of people make an indulgent interpretation of technology and mass media because you can have tons of information at your disposal just by having a cell-phone and a decent internet connection, and this is great if you have a purpose, but most people don’t and this where almost everybody falls without even noticing, I mean, Facebook, blogs, webpages, image-boards, whatsapp, instagram and others propose human models and human situations but in my opinion they don’t really produce a “human connection”. An example of this is my level 11 class in the vacation course. Last week I took them to the library to work on a reading. They used books and dictionaries, they talked to each other, asked classmates for help and they joked and complained about the task…this is what I call a “human connection”. When the activity finished a girl came to me and in a somehow sarcastic way asked me: “whys did you take us here? We could have done this in the classroom with our cell-phones”. I said “you know, you are right” and then tried with another reading activity on Friday but this time I didn’t take them to the library, I told them to work with their cell-phones then technology worked at its best; I had a classroom of mute robots huddled over their cell-phones completing a task...google eliminated the limitations of a real dictionary and thus the need for help. Both activities were successful in terms of comprehension but the second one, in opinion, was a failure in terms of communication.
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