Week 4: Reading & Writing classes Enhanced with Technology

“There can be infinite uses of the computer and of new age technology, but if the teachers themselves are not able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails.”

Nancy Kassebaum, US. Senator

             Use of technology in language classrooms has been the main concern of this study that is being conducted by the university of Oregon, as well as the rest of the ELT World. Having technology in language classrooms supports learning when used efficiently. In my opinion there are a number of key components of using technology in learning: the first one is the active engagement of the learners. Others are; participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. In order to use these key components, learners need proper guidance and support. As teachers, we are the ones to guide and support our students to use the net which has “infinite uses”. One of my professors at University said, “You cannot teach something you don’t know”. It is for this reason that we, as teachers, improve our teaching by not only reading books or articles but also trying to find ways to integrate ourselves to the rapidly changing World. Having all these things in my mind, I am moving on in my journey to “Building Teacher Skills Through the Interactive Web”.

            The first challange of this week was the discussion conducted on the articles which are about using web in teaching reading and writing. The article that we read written by Jarek Krajka was about an interesting way to use CALL in language classrooms to enhance learning and teaching goals. By using web pages, e-mail connection and creating class websites, the researcher conducted a study which shows us how on-line component could be incorporated into the curriculum. One other study was by Mei-Ya Liang, who gives an example of an application in which the teacher centralizes the learning activities in the learners within a classroom. Having the learners as the center of the learning environment and using the internet are the main concerns of his study.

           Preparing a technology enhanced lesson is the second challange of 4th week. Although, as most of us in the program, I am use to preparing lesson plans, the term “technology enhanced lesson plan” was new to me. But with correct instructions and positive reinforcement, I could write my “technology enhenced lasson plan”. I belive that there is nothing that a teacher can’t do when properly guided.

             We are also moving on in our studies for the Final Project. For the “Third Step” of our Project, we have pointed out the problems, needs or other issues about our classes. In order to solve a problem, the first thing to do is to identify the problem. That was what we did at this part of our study. I am very excited about the next step..

                 All the sharing and ideas on this weeks’ discussion topic opened new horizons to our writing and reading classes. The steps we have taken since the beginning of the course, make me feel very positive about guiding my students and my colleagues properly about using web tools in my classrooms.