My last blog kept my attention on the sites I discovered. I also found out a lot of good ideas. Some thoughts from the readings also question me and feed my reflection I have been teaching English for quite a long time. I taught different generations. I knew , discussed and practiced different methods from grammar- translation in the sixties to communication in the nineties. In the meantime computers and the net were invented. Should I continue to teach? Yes, I have to.
First, the ancient ideas can be useful sometimes and the new generation must not ignore them. They have to retain the humanism, the patience, and the hard work of the former generations. I continue to teach to inspire my young colleagues with these values
Second, I have to keep teaching to accompany my young colleagues in their quest of a better job. How? I have to learn and understand what they want to do. Teaching now requires teachers to reflect on the readings of the week. Remember and think about:
" Technology allows us to reduce contact time between teacher and student, while maintaining quality of instruction and achieving comparable learning outcomes "
" Technology does not provide a roadmap for successful instructed language learning".
"Technology in a languagecourse requires consideration and planning."
" Technology should be a good part of the basic structure of an educational system"
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Dear Roland,
ReplyDeleteYou are an example for all of us. Passing the kernels of your long teaching experience paves the way for the values every teacher should promote; "retaining humanism, patience, and hard work," to be built upon.
As far as it concerns using technology in class, I believe that only intelligent utility of the means in hands will make language learning successful. In terms of web tools, there are tens of them available free for creative use.
The question is how rather than what. I believe designing/creating activities using the web tools, to improve speaking for example, that are directly related to the learners' lives is the key to successful integration of technology in language learning.
Best wishes,
Amjad
Amjad,
ReplyDeletethank you very much
Roland