Smartpen - a good tool for learning languages?

The technology has played an important role in human beings’ life. No matter if you are eating, dressing, living, or learning, you probably use one or more techniques in the processes. For language learning, using the technique becomes common in the classroom. I found out one language learning tool which claimed that you can use the pen-based computer for the pedagogical purpose. Here is the link of the product webpage and introductions on The New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/technology/30pen.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=livescribe 2007&st=Search&scp=1
http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/index.html

It just not put the camera on the top of the pen but also can record sounds for simple steps at the same time. Learners can play and watch what they record at any time and speed they want. Teachers can use it to prepare their classes or give additional instructions for some learners. Also, teachers can share the videos in blogs or use it for distance teaching. I just want to know if anyone uses this product before or similar techniques in your teaching? What do you think about the effectiveness of it in learning the foreign languages? If not, will you use it in your class? And what will be the pros and cons by using this technique?

Hello Clickers!

I have used a similar clicker 3-4 years ago for one of my undergraduate courses. It was a general (required) business course with at least 400 students in class. Our professor would start the class with a question for us to “check-in” with our clickers. (And students, of course, manage to make friends in class and assign one hardworking student who never skips class to carry 3-5 clickers to class and help them “check-in” every week...until it's midterm.) In this video, it was not clear if the students had to pay for the clickers or not. I remembered I had to pay around $30 dollars and register my clicker online.

If you were a teacher at this school, how often would you ask your students to use clickers? Would you go entirely “paperless”? What advantages and disadvantages do you see a class may have when using clickers? Specifically, how can this help/limit language learning?

* I am focusing on the clicker itself. However, please feel free to comment and give insights on the other technology (ex: video-chat across the district).

MMOGs, SIEs, games and more...

Linking the social and cognitive dimensions of language learning seems to be an important concept to some researchers. After reading up on games, virtual environments and learning opportunities this week I still have a lot of questions and am curious as to what some of the rest of us have to say on the subject. Here are some things I am wondering:

What beneficial uses of MMOGs or SIEs have you either possibly experienced as an educator, or might expect for language learning classrooms? What might be the advantages or disadvantages? Do you think that the extra time needed to design and/or implement these tools in a classroom (rather than sticking to the usual ways of doing things) is justified? Why or why not?

Teacher Rants About Students On Her Blog

Here's a controversial topic from recent weeks: The case of the teacher who ranted about her students on her blog, calling them "lazy" and "jerks."

Here's the link to the MSNBC report:
http://www.educationnation.com/index.cfm?objectid=AF733A81-3A1A-11E0-A170000C296BA163&aka=0

Was this OK as long as she kept students identities anoynymous? Should she be suspended or fired or should she have the freedom of speech to write these things in her blog?

The interview also mentions the topic of a school district's Internet and blog policies. Do any of you teach in school districts that have Internet policies? What about policies towards social networking sites like Facebook? If not, what are your feelings towards what is and isn't appropriate for teachers using the Internet during their off-duty hours?

Skype for Language Learning

I've recently come across several sites that use Skype, or a similar video + chat system, as a way to provide one on one foreign language tutoring and teaching. One such program is a "fair trade" version, where instructors from the so-called "developing world" are provided an opportunity to be language instructors to students from around the world. Students pay a set hourly fee to have one-on-one time with their online teacher. For more information on this service go to http://glovico.org/. However, I've also seen YouTube posts where speakers of English or other languages simply advertise their language teaching expertise, provide their Skype contact information, and I assume then set up a payment scheme with their online students.

I'm wondering:

Would you pay to use this type of one-on-one tutoring service? If so, how much might you pay per hour and how would you select an instructor or program? Would you ever consider setting up a Skype tutoring session with someone who simply advertised online, for example through YouTube? I'm also curious to know if would you be willing to offer your services as a language teacher via Skype and under what circumstances or with what safeguards?

Virtual Class Reflection

At the end of today's virtual class, post your reflections to one of the four prompts below:

1. In episode 5 of the CALLSpot, what factors do Hempel and Stickler identify as important for successful distance language teaching and learning online? What does this suggest regarding the pros and cons of online language learning for the learner population you have taught or would like to teach?



2. One of the criticisms levied against distance ed courses is the difficulty teachers face in establishing a sense of community among remotely located participants. What strategies might an instructor employ to foster a sense of community?



3. “Think of a class you have taught or are currently teaching. If you were to move 50% to 100% of the class time to an online format, what would the change require or involved? How would it require you, as a teacher, to change or adapt?” (Sánchez-Serrano’s, 2008, p. 173)
   
   
4. According to Nancy, one of the Spanish language distance education teachers surveyed by Sánchez-Serrano’s (2008), “the online curriculum should be designed to match, as closely as possible, the needs of the environment and of the students, while not attempting to imitate its face-to-face counterparts as the perfect model” (p. 157).How should a curriculum for online language instruction differ from a curriculum for face-to-face language instruction?

Translation App for Smart Phones

Google has recently launched a translation app for the iPhone called Google Translate. What makes this app special is that it is allows you to speak in one language into your phone and then it will read it out loud translated into the chosen language. The person you are speaking to can then respond, and the app will translate and read out loud what they said in your starting language. As a bonus, it will also include a translated text, which can be enlarged.

The app is being marketed towards travelers, for example ordering food in a foreign language. However, what effect, if any, do you think it will have on language learners? Will it be a boon to motivated learners, or yet another crutch for indifferent students? What about other groups, such as the deaf community?

For those interested in reading more, here is a link to the Google Mobile Blog, which describes the app in more detail. Can’t wait to read your thoughts!

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-google-translate-app-for.html

ESL and video and computer games

I have been an avid gamer for over a dozen years, which is a little shorter than half my lifetime. Through many nights at the computer screen blasting people online to smithereens I have always wondered, why can't school ever be a game? After all playing a game is soooooo easy, and fun, while learning new things can be boring, tiring, and amotivational, at times. So my question to you and my blog is about video and computer games and education, specifically language acquisition.
The questions that I would like to ask you are, Do you think commercial(for entertainment)computer and video games can help with language acquisition?
Do you use educational computer games in your classroom? and if yes which sites, or games do you, or have you used?(feel free to post links in your blogs)
I have read a little information, as well, as listened to the callcast #4 to inform myself about this issue. What I personally found was that this is a pretty new area of research,(for all you future ph.ds. out there), especially SLA within commercial games, and the potential benefits of those games on SLA. So far I found that there is some evidence to support that commercial games can be beneficial, but the problem is that material learned often has limited use outside of the game world, as vocabulary can be very game specific(This is especially the case for MMOGs Massively Multiplayer Online Games). MMOGs do provide a safe haven for learners(especially advance learners) to practice with potential target language native speakers, in an neutral arena, where their identity is masked by an avatar, and they have just as much political, and face value as the other guy. Also, learners are usually highly motivated by these games to continue playing and thus hopefully interact and learn. If you would like to read more about it this is a dissertation research on everquest by Rankin(2008), you can also read these shorter articles if you are interested Sykes (2008) and Thorne(2008).
Another interesting aspect is creating games like SIE(simulated immersive environments ), or Serious games, the articles above also talk about those. Basically they are educational games, yet are designed much like MMOGs to attract learners, and harness their motivation, but have strictly educational purposes.
Finally, and Rankin rights about it, there are people who try to combine commercial and education in one, by augmenting the commercial game and making it more educational in the process. An amazing example of this can be read about in Purushotma (2005) where she creates a learning version of the Sims, by combining a German with the English version. In this way she creates a version of the Sims that is potentially very good for language learners.
Finally here is a website that I have used in my class, which has very simple games for LLs that are free, and although repetitive, can be fun. www.eslgamesworld.com just go to games, you have to scroll through advertisements but its free, and my learners enjoyed the activity, although I must say they are beginners. Anyways thats all from me.

How much can technology assist students' learning?

Up to what point can technology help schools meet the needs of their students? Do you think a computer program can be flexible enough to allow ELL students to work at their own pace while academically gifted ELL students are able to work at a more accelerated pace? Most importantly, to be able to assist ELL students to work on grade-level curriculum while developing their English language skills? At first, it might not seem promising, but actually the program Kurzweil 3000 is known to assist ELL students with little prior education or with learning difficulties providing great benefits to all type of learners.



Kurzweil 3000 claims to provide powerful learning experiences in a variety of ways. In addition, students who use this program make significant gains academically, including test scores. Most students are able to raise their reading scores from low to passing. As news of the success of this program spreads, more and more schools, colleges, and universities are utilizing it. As a result, the use of Kurzweil 3000 is increasingly been used for all subjects. Not only are students grades improving, more importantly, students are functioning more independently and more confident. This comes as a great benefit to challenged students including, students with special needs, students with disabilities, ELL students, and GT students as so many of them are constantly anxious they aren’t able to perform well. Apparently Kurzweil 3000 gives them the confidence and support they need. One of the most helpful features used by students with disabilities is “Modeling by reading text aloud.” This is a feature where the readings are scanned and they are read by the program as the student listens. It can be repeated as necessary. All those readings can actually be read to you by a computer? Yes, unlimited reading! This feature supports the teaching of fluency. Kurzweil 3000 is said to be transforming the lives of many students. Although most students are hard-workers, due to their learning challenges, their grades often don't reflect their effort or their knowledge. Kurzweil 3000 is known as a program that opens the door to opportunities to students.

To read more about Kurzweil 3000, you can go to the following link:
http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/K3000%20ELL%20Research.pdf

Too Much Technology?

This post is taking a different look at technology. Lets think about a different angle for a moment. Can there be too much technology in the classroom? This post is not to say that we don't need technology in the classroom. By all means, I am very much in favor of adding technology into the classroom. But, here is something to think about.

Schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania have been putting more and more technology into there classroom. They have been using various types of educational software, Mimio boards, PowerPoint, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, and others.

But the newest addition to their technology is using a school-based, kid-friendly e-mail system called Gaggle. The students in grades three through twelve are now using this system in the Lancaster schools. They have an e-mail account where the students can type and hand in all their homework. There is a place where the students can take notes and store them and their homework assignments in the "digital locker". The students can have discussions in Gaggle. There is also a feature called GaggleTube, a kid-friendly version of YouTube. One teacher in the article said " I could see going paperless with Gaggle in the future and having the students turn all their big essays in to me electronically." Could the school system go all paperless?

I think that learning how to write is still important. There are many skills that technology can aid in but should not replace. What are your thoughts on this? Is there such a thing as too much technology? Are there certain skills that just cannot be replaced? What would be the pros and cons of Gaggle? Again, I am very much in favor of adding technology into the classroom. I just wanted to take a different approach and see what people thought about this. Is there such a think as too much technology?

Click on the picture to read the article I got this information from.