How to Use Technology Effectively to Transform Your ESL Classroom

What comes to mind when you hear the word “technology”?

Did you imagine computers? Smart phones? Apps?

Or perhaps GPS? The Wii? Internet? TV?

Netflix, anyone?

All right, now picture yourself in a classroom teaching students. What does the word “technology” look like in this situation? How can it be used to create effective learning?

If you’re not exactly sure, then you’re in the right place, because we’re going to show how you cantransformyour ESL classroom using technology.

There’s no doubt about it, technology integration is currently one of the hottest buzzwords in education.

With so much focus on educators implementing technology in their classrooms, at some point we’re prompted to ask a critical question: What is technology integration, really?

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What is Technology Integration?

The answer to this may seem obvious, but in all actuality, the question is a valid one.

Although schools and districts are increasing their technology budgets and reportedly spending big bucks on teacher professional development, equipment and personnel, studies show that the educational arena lags behind other sectors in the quality and frequency in which technology is merged into day-to-day operations.

Despite the fact that we are living in the “age of technology,” many teachers still remain uncomfortable with the idea of integrating it into classrooms. This is due to several factors, including lack of preparation and tools, negative perceptions about technology in general and a lack of buy-in regarding the effectiveness of classroom technologies.

Furthermore, even those teachers who are 100% committed to integration often aren’t comfortable with doing it effectively.

In order to combat these issues with technology in education, we must clarify what technology integration is and is not. Simply put, technology integration is just that, the practice of integrating or interweaving technology into teaching and learning.

It is critical to add, however, that there is a significant difference between implementing technologies on a surface level and actually intertwining it in a way that produces maximum results for teachers and students. What this means is that simply directing students to complete a separate internet activity or sending them to the “technology station” alone may not be the best use of educational technology.

Oops.

Instead, there are ways that technology can be intentionally used throughout the process of teaching and learning, so that it plays an active role rather than being an afterthought. After all, today’s educators have the tools to incorporate technology into each stage of instruction: planning, lesson delivery, practice and review, and assessment and feedback.

When done thoughtfully, technology does not only drive the curriculum, but the advantages are numerous and undeniable.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 795