As information regarding technology is anything but stagnant, we need to stay connected. Here is the link to a social networking website for ESL/EFL teachers: EFL Classroom 2.0.
This site has several sources of information, tools, and opportunities specifically geared for ESL/EFL teachers who want to connect with other professionals in the field. Here is a list to highlight some of the features/tools that I found useful.
My Page: create your own space to share, post, and comment.
Translator: when hard-copies are in short supply, which is often the case.
Discussion Board: share, network, and trouble-shoot.
Voice Thread: online collaborative learning tool. threads for ELLs.
Videos: from music to informational videos.
Tarheel Reader: alphabet books online. great for a SMARTBoard or Promethean Board.
World News: teach language through current events.
Powerpoint Presentations: take advantage of shared resources to save time.
Couch Surfing: plan on teaching abroad? connect with teachers around the world.
Professional Development Links: blogs, training resources, etc.
Podcasts: stay up-to-date and help yourself to unlimited information.
While browsing on my new Google Reader [a huge time-saver], I stumbled upon this post SOPA and PIPA Explained in an Infographic. A few weeks ago, it was pretty hard to ignore the uproar over these two acts. Despite efforts to read up on the issue, I still felt unclear about the ramifications as most articles offered vague, yet severe claims like censorship and unconstitutionality.
I found this post to provide easy-to-digest information on the topic. The Infographic is an effective visual that explicitly outlines why these acts are unconstitutional, while the video offers an overview of past attempts at reform and of implications for the future. If you are still curious about these proposals, I highly recommend taking a gander at this post. As teachers and participants in online communities, I think it important for us to have a clear understanding of current policy regarding internet use for two reasons. Firstly, we are role models for our students, so we must demonstrate how to act appropriately online. Students need to be aware that legal issues, such as plagiarism and stealing [illegal downloading], apply online. Secondly, we are advocates for technology, which is a role that should not be taken lightly. Acts like SOPA and PIPA infringe on constitutional rights. We must protect these rights by remaining informed and active, especially because the situation is predicted to worsen, according to Clay Shirky.
I do not want to spark a heated political rant, I just want to share this post and offer my opinion about why I find it meaningful for the education community. From my understanding, these pieces of legislation will impose severe restraints and restrict everyone's ability to create, explore, and share online. The inherent benefits of online learning and teaching are in jeopardy of being stripped away. When considering the 'sugar-printed birthday cake' analogy offered by Shirky, the implications became increasingly real in my mind. Will websites that share media files, like student reproductions of music/tv/film, be punished under these acts? If so, could these laws discourage the use of technology in the classroom?
This video offers shocking statistics that showcase how technology has become an essential aspect of daily life, and more importantly, how it impacts the lives of our students. If you're curious about how 'connected' our children are, watch this clip.
The conclusion offers ways and rationale to incorporate technology in our classrooms, which I find to be the most interesting part. Teachers typically wage a constant battle against cell phones and iPods in the classroom from day one. The truth is that the fight is not worth fighting. This video challenges teachers to find constructive uses for technology that is typically prohibited in schools. It makes me wonder whether the rules are really beneficial for learning or if they offer students one more reason to 'check-out'. Although it may seem radical to let students use cell phones and iPods in class, what other choice do we have? Let's be honest, as graduate students, how many of us keep our cell phone within reach while in class? Our phones are essentially like another bodily extremity. I can recall several times during class when a question has been raised that requires further investigation. Thanks to smart phones, the class was able to access information immediately and drive conversation in a new, otherwise inaccessible, direction. With these tools, there are no dead ends in the classroom. Encouraging students to seek answers to their own questions allows them to drive their own learning, which is often a challenging task to accomplish.
While boundaries for the use of technology are still necessary, prohibiting technology may further disengage students who already doubting their education. While I do not have the solution to the debate on technology in the classroom, as in most facets of a life, I think a balance will lead to the most success. Choosing an extreme may deny our students the right to a well-rounded, educational experience that prepares them for life. Teachers must remain current and informed as technology and its implications for the classroom are constantly evolving. Speaking of staying current, it's probably about time that I lay my Samsung flip-phone to rest and upgrade.
