The use of technology in EFL/ESL teaching

Being an EFL/ESL teacher for almost eight years, I have always wanted to know all the new methods and techniques used around the world. Because my main focus is my students, I always want to provide them the support they need and find the best way to transfer the information to them and make them problem solvers and not just passive consumers. Honestly, the technology course is what I have always wanted; it supports me with great ideas of how the technology can be used in EFL/ESL classes and how it can make the learning enjoyable and effective not just in the classroom but also out of it. By using the technology students can be active learners. There are many technologies that I liked such as Twitter, blogging, Moodle, Weebly, podcasts, Wikis, the second life and many others. For now as an English teacher in a language institute I am using some of these technologies, but if I teach in an English dominant school I am sure I will use many others according to the level of the students I teach. I am amazed by the idea of using mobile devices in teaching and I find it interesting especially with the twenty first century students who are interested in using them in their daily life, so why don’t we connect teaching with their interests. I should say that when I first read about some of the technologies I didn’t like the idea of using them in my class, but honestly after our class discussions I changed my ideas and started to think more critically about them.   

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is delivery of computing services over the Internet. Cloud services allow you to use hardware and software. It costs less, its more secure and a more reliable software. Examples of cloud computing is online file storage, social networking sites, and webmail. Cloud services should be combined to meet the needs of twenty first century educators and learners. The cloud computing model allows access to information and computer resources from anywhere and anytime on any device. The only thing that we need is the network connection. Google Glass is one of the most effective and helpful tools that help learners and educators. I can’t imagine my life without Google apps that make my life really easy while searching especially for literature reviews and books. The wealth of information we get by just fingertips is tremendous. Learning is not just happening in class but it’s ongoing while learners are out of their classroom. Google Glass extends learning beyond the physical classroom. Another good option that Google Glass offers is that we can engage everyone in any school community even the families are more involved than any other school that doesn’t use Google Glass.

What about Google Apps for education it has many helpful tools for everyone: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Groups, Talk, and Sites. Each has its own characteristics and can be used for different purposes. Google apps is always up and running. Your data is safe, secure and in your control. You own and control your data by detailed privacy policy. You can get apps today and go sign up.

www.google.com/a/edu

I recommend you more webs like www.chrom.google.com/webstore

www.google.com/enterprise/marketplace

Chrome books are great to use in classrooms. They are web based computers that are easy to use. Students open the web and sign in and search for the information they need, it’s not time consuming at all it saves valuable learning time inside the class. You don’t need to worry because everything is saved on the web. Students have web application for them to access. Chrome can be shared and they are saved. Another great tool for teachers this time is you tube for schools and teachers that allows you bring any educational video to class. www.youtube.com/teachers www.google.com/edu

 Finally, cloud computing offers benefits for both organizations and individuals.

 

 

 

 

 

The Analytics in Learning and Teaching

How can we better understand the learning process? How do we know what is actually happening in the learning process? How can educators make improvements in their teaching?

All these questions and more I always think about and I am sure thousands of teachers do. What can we do as educators of new generations of learners? We live in a new technologies century, with computing devices and open education. I am really happy with the new shift of education in general and the higher education in particular, from just lecturing and reading materials or books which have limited effects on the learning, into analytics learning. Learning analytics is more specific than academic analytics. The former’s focus is exclusively on the learning process whereas learning analytics centers on the learning process. Analytics have many positive trails. It provides learners with insight into their own learning. It also provides up-date information and can innovate and transform colleges and universities systems.

The story of the woman in India who died while trying to get the chance of applying her son into the college, really affected me. I really envy those who can make a difference in others lives, and as teachers we can make that difference, may be because of that I really like teaching. I wish I can be the change agent wherever I teach. But of course the technology is there to help the teachers or the educators, and we can’t just ignore it. On line education is one of the greatest things that technology offers, Daphne Koller gave the example of computer checking and giving feedback to thousands of learners which is something a human being cannot do. I am amazed with the idea of the computer asking a question while an online learner attending a lecture, and how he/ she cannot go on the lecture until he gives the correct answer to the question. On line education can offer opportunities to millions of people who don’t have the chance to be in a college or university for their higher education. NLGC focus on the educational possibilities that analytics can offer (http://nextgenlearning.org/).