The technology that influenced education in my particular content area the most during this time is foreign language lab in the 1960s. Though this technology is briefly glanced over in the video, it has been one of the most influential and crucial technologies when it comes to foreign language instruction. With these labs, students were able to listen to audio clips consisting of conversations in the target language. While learning another language, it is crucial that one hears it as much as possible in order to improve comprehension. From here the students can also respond in the target language and strengthen their speaking skills.
From my reading of the two texts I have
been able to determine that the technology that has had the most impact on
formalized education is the computer. The interviewee, Grace, in the article A History of Social Media, Technology, and
Schooling, briefly mentions how “subject matter trainers” was beneficial to
foreign language instruction and spelling (Domine 46), but besides this small anecdote
foreign language instruction is not specifically mentioned again. However,
Grace does go into great detail of how computers have benefited students and
instructors alike. Though she goes into detail about how the integration of
computers in the classroom was not always successful, she explains how the
acquisition of a computer at home helps her mother record grades, process
documents, and complete other professional tasks with ease (48). She also explains other useful functions of
computers that students profit from such as the submitting of assignments to blogs
for quick feedback quickly edit group projects using Google Docs, obtain
historical information through various channels, and many other tactics (51). As
a future foreign language educator, I see the usefulness of all of the examples
that Grace has provided and can quickly formulate ways in which they can be
used in an Italian classroom. For example word processors can be used to
produce essays in Italian, students can use online dictionary (but not
translators) in order to look up words they may not recognize, or audio files
can be downloaded to a computer to aid with student comprehension.
Additionally, in the second chapter
of Rethinking Technology in Schools,
Dr. Domine mentions popular computer based programs such as instant messages,
blogs, Facebook etc (Domine 49). I feel that many of these technologies can
also be used in the classroom in order to reinforce content as well as entertain
the students. I have heard of professors using twitter in the classroom and
requiring that students tweet in a foreign language in order to ensure frequent
practice and improve spelling and syntax. Blogs can be used in a similar
fashion to achieve a similar goal. However with blogging it is possible for
students to incorporate videos and images that also portray cultural significance.
It is also possible to change the settings on many sites so the text appears in
the target language, a tactic that is useful in broadening vocabulary.
Furthermore, regarding foreign language education computers are more
notoriously known for their presence in language labs. In these labs students
are provided with individual computers where they can listen to audio clips and
watch videos in the target language designed to further the acquisition of the
language. Students can also record themselves speaking the language in order to
reinforce speaking skills and pronunciation. Overall, the use of the computer
when it comes to foreign language instruction is essential due to the fact that
it represents vital repetition and practice required when it comes to learning another
language.
Works Cited
Domine, Vanessa. "A Social History of Media, Technology
and Schooling." The National Association for Media Literacy Education’s
Journal of Media Literacy Education 1 (2009): 42-52. JMLE. Web. 1
Feb. 2012.
.
Domine, Vanessa Elaine. Rethinking Technology in Schools
Primer. New York: Peter Lang, 2009. Print.
Sara, thanks for your reflection on the questions. Any thoughts on how to achieve the same goals if you happen not to have consistent access to computers in your school?
ReplyDeleteOf course! Many of the same goals can be reached through the use of audio (stereos, cassette players, word of mouth, etc). Additionally, students can practice their oral skills in class by responding to questions and engaging in classroom activities where they would be required to(I could arrange activities where students create skits, have conversations, etc). When it comes to the pen pals, this could obviously be conducted the old fashioned way with letters through the postal service and the the online bilingual dictionary obviously comes in print as well. Though the use of computers would be the ideal way to carry out many of my ideas due to convenience, there are many ways to reach the same goals without them.
ReplyDeleteSara, I agree with you when you say that computers can benefit our students in many ways when it comes to the learning process. There are so many things one can do with a computer the opportunities are endless. We can use many language programs to help our students learn as well as using the internet for references and also dictionaries. I feel like having access to a computer in our classroom can make a world of differences for our students because it allows them to learn a new language in ways far beyond what we are able to teach by just a lecture.
DeleteImagine what life would be like for student's without computers. How much less information they would have access to. Yes, there would still be books but the technology computers gives us allows for so much more. Think of Second Life (which we had to use for Miele's Italian Conversation class). This allows student's to travel virtually to any country and explore. Of course it's limited but for a student that has never been its wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSara, I like the way you noted many important ways teachers can incorporate the use of computers in their foreign language classrooms. The one aspect you mentioned that I thought was really important was when you said that computers “ represent vital repetition and practice required when it comes to learning another language.” This is very true however not taken into consideration very much in school systems. While computers and other tech. programs are used often in other areas of study specifically at the HS level, they are not utilized often in FL classrooms. The use of the computer however like u mentioned is crucial for repetition purposes , especially considering the fact that these students for the most part won’t hear the language being spoken once they leave the classroom.
ReplyDelete