-Using the internet with EFL students can turn out to be an appealing way to draw attention through technologically interactive means. There are many advantages we can make use of when having internet access. So, there's a positive vibe surrounding the matter.
-The last time I used the internet in class, I felt compelled to apply my prior knowledge and learn more info. And it is valid to mention that the tools we learn to use via internet, may come in handy in the future, and for various purposes, not only education. We should keep that in mind, so that our interest and focus increases on what is explained.
-Currently, there are several reasons why it is relevant to relate the learning process to the internet. Besides the infinite number of possibilities and resources, being in touch with modern tools should not be overlooked. If not, our options in life will be continue to be narrowed down in general terms.
It is important to keep ourselves up to date, we cannot have the luxury of simply go on ignoring technological novelties that could serve as great aid in class development.
-It is my understanding there's evidence that we can actually use just about every intelligence when using the internet. The trick is probably knowing how to accomplish that. We need to at least try to find the best online resources, check if they are trustable.
Examples:
A) When reading and analyzing an article we use our logical and intrapersonal intelligences.
B) Associating concepts to pictures (visual intelligence).
C) Messenger calls (audio) and chat (Interpersonal intelligence).
D) Teleconferences (live audiovisual stream) and video-chat
(Kinesthetic intelligence, body language: mimics, gestures, etc.)
Therefore, the only thing we need to apply them is having the means and ideas to include the different intelligences whenever we get the chance to have an internet-related class.
Of course, I'm aware that the access won't be available everywhere or not fully functional. People always complain and are quick to recall the worst case scenarios of no resources in our country, time, culture, etc.
However, those are also common excuses to plainly avoid doing something innovative or that requires preparation. Most like to pick the easiest ways, as often as they can. I'm not saying I've never done that. Unfortunately that's not necessarily the best thing we can do. So, I think that if it is possible, the internet should be given a chance, unless we truly want to remain almost the same as an entire decade ago...
Oh, and to share something we can do with internet tools, using just a microphone and a few pictures, I created a little voicethread in the site teacher Aida showed us the other day (feel free to comment):
JOnathan,
ResponderEliminarI´ll participate in the thread tonight. I don´t have a microphone in the office.
You are right when you say there are lots of sources we can use to teach EFL students. Something really important you mentioned is that the things we learn through internet will be useful in the future, and we do not know if students will become teachers, too, and it will be easier for them to use the internet tools when teaching their students. It is a fact that not only students learn new things when the teacher uses internet tools to teach them a new language, but teachers learn some new things, too.
ResponderEliminarfor sure there are many internet sources for you tto use in your English classes. the curriculum of El Salador requires teachers to be renew with manjy things including the internet tools, so that we as teachers must be in contact with the internet.
ResponderEliminarHi! I agree with you when you say we have to be up date because everything is changing everyday, so we have to be curious!
ResponderEliminar