Week 15 Technology, an instant feedback tool

The article “Assessing language using computer technology” by Dan Douglas and Volker Hegelheimer was really interesting because it is about using technology for assessments. What surprised me was the fact of having more advantages using technology than providing a piece of paper and a pencil. For example, technology enhances the learning process not only for students, but also for teachers. In fact, students can take a quiz on line and have a result immediately. What´s more interesting is that technology, nowadays, offers apps, websites, videos, etc that students can use as tools to improve their English skills out site the classroom. Regarding to scoring, feedback, and reporting systems, it is mentioned that programs have been developed to provide instant feedback when students make a paragraph. In addition, speech is another area that is showing progress to provide scoring. As a consequence, this process will take less time, so that, students and teachers will enjoy quiz time. In my opinion, this type of feedback is easier to manage and it is good for busy teachers because the result will be shown in the moment the students finish the quiz, instead of going home and start to check the quiz. Even though the program can be difficult to control it, but once teachers get used to it, they will find out the technology can make the difference in a classroom.  

Week 14 Two ideas to improve speaking skill in class

This week we read two articles. The first one is “10 Benefits of Getting Students to Participate in Classroom Discussions” by Maryellen Weimer. The second one is “Increase Student Interaction with think pair ­shares” and circle chats" by Kristina Robertson.

What is interesting from the first article is that participation in one key or one of the most important thing for student’s success. The more they participate, the more they get interested in the topic. In fact, the role of the teacher needs to change a little bit. Teachers tend to speak the 90% of the class and students get bored since they listen the explanation or the instructions. In my opinion, teachers cannot only allow students to speak more but also encourage them to speak and practicing the language. As an example, if one students is asking for a word meaning, another student can help his/her classmate by giving the definition or giving an example to clarify that doubt. In that way, they are improving their speaking skill, so that, they will not be afraid of talking in front of anybody. On the other hand, think­-pair-­share is very useful in class because students are able to first think about the answer, and then share it with the person that is next to him/her. As a result, they are able to give a better answer because they already practiced it before. Whenever it happens, teachers must be very careful to help students or to give feedback at that moment.  

Week 12 Project work in class

The article “Benefits of project work” by Bülent Alan and Fredricka L. Stoller talks about project work in class. It allows students to maximize their knowledge and being actively processing information that is given to them, so that, they can report it over a period of time established by the teacher. As a result, students can outcome and improve their knowledge and skills. Moreover, students are encouraged to have autonomy, engagement, and a more positive attitude toward English since they find an interactive way to learn their second language.

On the other hand, the article “Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning” by John Larmer and John R. Mergendoller explains what the project work must contain in order to take advantage of it. Teachers must introduce the topic first, and then clarify any doubt possible in the class. The idea of it is to catch our student’s attention. The project could be in pairs or in groups. Before presenting the project, it must be checked by the teacher and students must have feedback, so that, the project must be presented in the best way.

In conclusion, project work can be a great activity that can be applied not only in the classroom, but also outside, so that, students can get more interested and have a motivation to improve by themselves. 

Week 11 Interactive classes with cellphone usage

The article for this week Twenty Ideas for Using Mobile Phones in the Language Classroom by Hayo Reinders represents a challenge for me. As the title says, the content is about how cellphones o similar devices can be applied to a class and how they have a positive impact on the learning process. Since learners are used to working with technology, the result can be better than expected. So that, the author explain some activities with technology that can be applied in our daily classes.

For example, the idea that was interesting for me was using the text messaging feature for circular writing. You can set up a group or the media where students can send the massages, so that, they will be able to create an essay or to create a really good story as a group with everybody’s help. Also, they can use Skype to practice more the target language. So that, the can have a phone call and start talking about one topic/grammar in specific. As a matter of fact, they will improve not only their speaking but also listening skills.

  

In fact, we can use this ideas in our classes or they can be assignments that will make improve our student’s English skills. In my opinion, this is a great idea to make our classes more interactive and avoid the routine.     

Week 10 Wiki, a tool to develop collaborative writing

The article “Online Collaborative Writing Using Wikis” by Paul Sze is about “wiki” which is a website, and great tool for online writing activities. So that, anyone can edit anything anytime they want. In fact, the author wanted to find out how applicable wikis are with ESL learners. So, he decided to make a project with the students. They were asked to write about their secondary school life for a month using Wikis as a tool. But they were trained first in order to start using it. By the time students write, a lesson about how to create a good paragraph, so that, they were able to edit their paragraphs. At the end, they were able not to publish their own articles only, but also to check their classmates´ articles. As a result they had fun with this activity because it was new for them.  The author added more activities that can be great by using this wonderful tool like writing book reports, poetry, school history, short stories, etc. In my opinion, this tool is very useful because students can develop writing skill by having fun. As I always say, this type of activities must be controlled by the teacher in order to achieve the goal. And I agree with the author, wikis are useful for promoting collaborative writing for ESL learners.  

Week 8 Tools to enhance vocabulary

The article “Vocabulary is one of those things where the rich get richer.” by Eli Hinkel talks about dictionary usage in an ESL/EFL class. Internet provides a lot of sources where students can look for a meaning of a word that is not clear for them. However, not all of them can fit the needs of an ESL/EFL because they are focused on native speakers only. As a matter of fact, the article give some characteristic that an online dictionary must have. For example, a corpus-based compilation of words, word frequency data, and collocation guides, authentic examples of how words are used, and topical vocabulary from different disciplines. What is interesting is that students can make a list of new words that they have encountered. Then, they just need to look for the meaning in online dictionaries. On the other hand, the article “Using Technology to Assist in Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension” by Andreea I. Constantinescu. The author talks about how reading can be really useful for learning vocabulary and how technology can help students improving this skill. As we know, websites can offer a variety of multimedia tools such as text, audio, video, graphics, animation, and interactivity. As matter of fact, you have a more interactive class and students can get more interested in the topic.

Week 7 CALL, a tool to improve reading and writing skills

The article “Using the Internet in ESL Writing Instruction” by Jarek Krajka, talks about how technology can be useful for writing lessons. For example, email address usage can even save time for teachers that are allowed to create writing activities that students can do outside the classroom. Also, it is mentioned that web sites can be another tool that teachers can use to improve writing skills on students. The advantage of it is that we have a huge technology world that needs to be discovered by ourselves. What I mean is that we as teachers must look for the right material and prepare our classes to have a successful lesson plan which can achieve our goals. In other words, teacher must be extremely prepared for the lesson. Moreover, Krajka provides interesting activities to develop writing skills such as writing a letter to a friend, a formal letter, a biography, a description of a person, an essay, etc.

On the other hand “Using Internet­-Based Children's Literature to Teach EFL” by Larry J. Mikulecky talks about the great impact that reading can have in order to improve vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and writing. As a matter of fact, the author says that we can use web pages to make our students read outside the classroom. To be more interactive, teacher can ask questions about the reading or to make activities that can show that student have read the article provided.