Move to Educational Technology in the Classroom
What is technology? Technology is anything that extends human capability. By definition, paper clips and staples are forms of technology because they extend human capability. Nevertheless, paper clips and staples are ‘low-tech;' audio, video, and computer driven tools are considered ‘high-tech,' or commonly referred to as ‘technology.'
Most people have an e-mail address or at least, know what e-mail is. When a person looks around the World Wide Web, the "Internet," there are advertisements everywhere for degrees and certificates in ‘Educational Technology.' Educational Technologyis using any form of technology (high-technology, by the above definition) in an educational setting, to assist teachers in their instruction. From CD-ROM games for students to MS Power Point presentations to help explain a concept, idea, or topic, technology is here to stay so why are some teachers still afraid to use it?
The term ‘technophobe' means a person who is afraid to use technology. Many teachers are technophobes. They are not certain or unaware that technology can help them to become better educators. It is true that not all technology is good and often can be counter-productive. However, an educator must be open to trying and evaluating new and emerging technologies to see where this might fit into their instruction. Whether or not a teacher knows it, their English language learners may be using and interacting with technology everyday. Therefore, teachers need to at least be aware of the impact technology is having on their learners.
Benefits of Using Blogs in ELT Classrooms
At this point, the reader may ask, "What are the benefits of using this technology if I do not know much about it?" The following reasons will assist in answering that question. The reasons used below are by no means exhaustive; they merely serve as a starting point to move teachers in the right direction.Using technology is exciting for the learner. English language learners like to use and take part in activities that are familiar to them. More often than not, the learner is already using technology or is eager to learn. The technology represents a ‘fun' and ‘interesting' activity.
- Because blogs are a form of publishing. The learner will be ‘publish
- ed.' The idea that a learner can publish their thoughts and ideas for the world to see is an exciting opportunity for the learner and the teacher. "A contraction of the term ‘Web logging,' blogging can best be described as a form of micropublishing" (Roberts, 2004).
- It creates a forum for the learner to be an individual.As mentioned above, each learner will be an ‘author.' For some learners that is a scary idea, but some of the quieter, more introverted learners are yearning for a stage of their own.
- Teacher feedback can be given instantly in the form of comments or as a response to what the learner has written. learner can read the comment instantly and even reply to the teachers posting. Learners of English need a lot of feedback and encouragement, and blogging would be an easy way to give them that ‘instant' feedback they need.
- Gives the learner confidence and pride in their work.The learner can edit/delete/save their work. It is dated and logged chronologically. This allows students to actually see the progress they are making in English. Consequently, this will give them pride and increase their confidence in using the language.
- The teacher, as administrator, has control over the content of the blog. With blogging technology, the administrator (teacher) has sole management of the site. The teacher can add or delete entries as they see fit. They can also decide who can and cannot be a member of the blog.
- Can lead to a life-long habit of journaling for the learner. Through the use of blogs, learners should acquire a habit that is positive and will enable them to continue to grow in self knowledge and the knowledge of the world around them.
- Makes the learner more prepared for future educational and professional opportunities. While aiding with their English, the teacher is also assisting the learner to obtain new skills that will be very important in future educational and professional opportunities. The skills learned while blogging such as typing, editing, putting thoughts into words are essential for success beyond the ELT classroom. The learners will be able to use these skills throughout school and in the workplace.
- Uses prior skills and knowledge (for some learners) and creates an opportunity for them to putthat knowledge and skills to use in an academic setting.Many learners are already using the relevant technology at home or in school so blogging will enable them to express themselves in a medium in which they are familiar.
- Provides an opportunity to individualize instruction for multi-leveled classes. In most, if not all ELT classes, there are learners with varying levels of English. Blogging allows for differentiation.
- Allows for flexibility in the schedule of the learner and teacher.Being the very nature of the Internet, there are no set hours of operation (it never closes). So the learners can ‘log on' at any time of the day or night. Learners can use blogs whenever they are in the writing mood. The same applies to the teacher.
This is not to suggest that an instructor should abandon journaling on paper. Blogs can simply add much-needed variety for the learners in the ELT classroom. Blogs are a great tool in the ELT teachers' repertoire.
Practical Uses of Blogs in the ELT Classrooms
The discussion in this section covers three main uses of blogs in the ELT classroom. Alternative assessment, student portfolios, and what has been the major focus of this paper, journaling. As the needs of the English Language Learner continue to change and evolve, there are requests from educators, parents, and students for other forms of assessment. Blogging can be one of these styles of alternative assessment. It gives the learners the opportunity to demonstrate what they have been learning and their thoughts on a given topic, ideas, concepts, etc. The teacher can then read the entries on the learner's page, or those which have been posted on the teacher's page, giving feedback, and assessing the learner's progress.
Portfolios are another use for blogs. The portfolio can include only written work or may include other work from class. The students can display their work from the past term, semester, school year, or even, in some cases, school career. By using blogs, the students can upload photos, work samples, include links to related work, etc. This can even serve to foster skills that will be useful in the future careers of the students. Many of the students can use their portfolios in the future to demonstrate their English abilities, and prove their writing skills. The teacher can, again, use this as a form of alternative assessment.
The online journal is what is probably most appealing to the teacher. This is collection of often-updated entries. Here again is an example used earlier about the various traffic laws: Teachers might want to upload (or add to the blog) some photos of traffic signs and let the students comment on what they think the pictures represent. Then the students could elaborate on what might happen if the traffic laws pictured were violated. The teachers may want learners to compose their own story about something related to traffic. This is a simple example, but teachers would be using all six of Peregoy & Boyle's (2001) "elements that create optimal content learning for ‘English Language Learners.
Summary and Conclusion
In conclusion, the benefits of blogging far outweigh the pitfalls. Ease of use and clean appearance are making the blog a major force on the Internet. Therefore, not just the teachers teaching English language learners but any teacher need to stay up-to-date with educational trends and should stay abreast with emergent technology that will drive this information age for years to come. Technology and education should go hand-in-hand and should not be separated because undoubtedly the learner will always use technology. Blogs are a great tool to achieve many goals for English language learners and, in the long term, what all teachers desire, authentic learning. With or without blogs, teachers of English language learners need to remember the goal of what they are doing. Educating is the number one priority.
Blogs may not replace the traditional ‘hand-written' journals, but then again they might. However, the more options teachers offer learners; the more the needs of learners are met. The ELT classroom setting needs to evolve, and for many, blogs will be the first step in that evolution. By selecting the best attributes from the past experience and looking forward to the future will produce the strongest ELT instruction. Now is the time to take action and use technology to meet the ever-growing needs of English language learners.
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