Aroline Seibert - Teaching with Technology
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Technology Reflection
Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
Spanish Basic Language Program
Technology Reflection
The use of technology in language teaching is becoming more prevalent. Technology allows us to access places that otherwise would be difficult or expensive to visit. Also, we are able to research information that would be more time-consuming without technology. With the help of technology, I can bring authentic written and audiovisual materials to my classroom to aid my students’ understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. As part of my goals as a teacher, exposing my students to firsthand accounts of what they are learning is paramount.
In particular, I use e-mail, on-line groups and my website for out-of-class communication, meanwhile integrating authentic texts from the internet and media (such as on-line radio stations and YouTube videos) as an essential component during class time. I use technology to ease my organization of the class, such as in grade-keeping or preparing presentations. I know that I have reached my goal of integrating technology into my classroom, when students respond to the materials presented. When students take it on themselves to use the same research tools we use in class to access authentic materials or to spend free time reading or listening to Spanish-language media, I see how they have become more interested in and have more access to the language due to the aid of technology. Especially since more and more our students are using technology in their personal lives, the use of technology in the classroom is a natural extension of this. In all, I would recommend that the use of technology in the classroom should not become the central focus, that personal interaction in real time is still the most effective language learning tool.
Pedagogical Innovations:
One lesson that I created involving the use of technology was about the Cuban singer Celia Cruz. After reading about her life on the website: http://www.yomarnathalia.com/CC/ccruz/biografia.html , we listened to one of her songs and read through the lyrics.
Then we saw her perform it on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lArGoRhFr4E
This was a great way for my students to see first-hand an important part of one Spanish-speaking culture.
The Pennsylvania State University: Copyright 2008
Last Updated on:
24-Apr-2008 15:26
e-mail: aes284@psu.edu