Reflections on Teaching with Technology

As an instructor I seek to create a dynamic learning atmosphere in which students are actively exposed to and are using language in real-world and relevant contexts.  To achieve these aims, one element of my teaching methodology is the measured use of technology and multimedia in and outside the classroom.  Rapidly developing pedagogical innovation has enabled teachers to harness technology and teach in ways never before possible. Technology, when used appropriately, can be a dynamic tool in creating a communicative and interactive environment that addresses students’ different learning styles.

However, it is important to remember that due to the inherent human element and interactive nature of language, technology should only be used as a complement to “face” time, and never exploited as a substitute to classroom language learning.  Eliminating the day-to-day interaction that takes place in a physical language classroom robs students of the opportunity to actively orally dialog with their instructor and classmates, and to put into action the pieces of the language that they are acquiring.  They lose the opportunity to express, interpret and negotiate meaning in the target language, which is the very essence of communication.  If the goal of language learning is not communication, then we must examine what our underlying motivations are for teaching language in the first place.  Technology therefore should be considered as a supporting role in the process of “live” language teaching and learning – not as its replacement.

By clicking on the link to the left titled "technology in the classroom" you can find concrete examples of how I incorporate technology into my Spanish classes in order to enhance language learning.  Additionally, the "course descriptions" page details the structure and content of the classes I teach.