How People Learn and what might technology have to do with it

Using technology as a tool for learning in class or at home is that as easy as it seems to be, but there is no reason to be afraid of implementing it in your class.  To do this succesfully there are many things to consider before you present this great aid to your students.

There are four pilars to know by the time we teach, especially with this type of means.

·         Learning occurs in context: try to look for activities that make sense with familiar experiences and knowledge and that can be used to learn in class. This is something we have to plan before teaching the lesson.

·         Learning is active: students are your audience, this is your target, involve them in the learning process in order to accomplish the class’ objectives.

·         Learning is social: form groups with your students and let them work, pupils can learn a lot from their own peers.

·         Learning is reflective: take some time for feedback, this is useful for you as a teacher, and useful for them as students.

In the other hand you should consider that technology is so powerful, that it can be used against you. How? Well, children are extremely intelligent and they have great skills for technology use, also computers, and iPods and all these devices get pupils’ attention so good that they can get lost and use them for playing instead of learning. Some of them even find softwares of game that are funny for them and apply those to interrupt the class.

Therefore, when you decide to use any technological machine in your classes, establish rules of usage, also, explain to them how to use it responsably and how to obtain useful information for their learning process. Plus, try to use softwares and techniques to teach while they can have fun with it, because otherwise they will search for other things on the net to get entertained.

Once you achieve order, and discipline in the class, you are ready to use any technological device to want to use.

Some techno concepts

Technology:

Is the practical application of human knowledge to solve real problems through the design of tools and machines.  Technology is supposed to be used for positive and good purposes, not to harm people.  For teachers, the idea is to take the best out of it and apply it as a tool to make your classes more interesting, especially if you are working with teenagers.

Technology for learning:

The use of technological means to support learning. In other words, it is the usage and application of the technology we have available in order to teach or to learn.

Instructional Technology:

Is the compilation of hardwares and softwares we can use to instruction. It is also defined as getting trained to use technology to teach others.

Educational Technology:

The study of an ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropiate technological processes and resources. Some of the benefits are:  Easy-to-access course materials, student's motivation, wide participation, and improved student's writing skills.

Elements of the Rational for Teaching with Technology:

• Motivation
• Unique instructional capabilities.
• Increase teaching productivity.
• Support for new instructional approaches.

The Seven principles:

• Encourage contact.
• Develop reciprocity and coooperation.
• Encourage active learning.
• Give prompt feedback.
• Emphasize time on tasks.
• Communate high expectations.
• Respect diverse talents and ways of learning.

Sources:

A. Januszewsky, Educational Technology, the development of a concept.2001

edtech.twinisles.com/rb/

HOW TO USE THE INTERNET EFFECTIVELY

This is a presentation of how to use the internet effectivly, since many time we get lost, and spend hours looking for what we want. So, here are some strategies to solve this little problem. It is specially made for teachers but it can be useful for anyone.

How to use internet effectively

View more presentations from Nathypb18.

Here are three interesting websites with the advantages and disadvantages of using techonology for education, because nothing is perfect. By the time we decide to use this type of tool in our classes we have to consider all the negative and possitive consequences for our students.


Ehow
This website shows some pros and cons regarding to the use of technology with students, and it explains that students tend to lose face-to-face communication skills, but it also tells us some good aspects. It is very interesting.

Also this same page, with a video explains us some disadvantages of having computers in the classroom. If you have them in your class you  may want to check it out!

Humanising Language Teaching

This is a great site focused on the advantages and disadvantages of using internet in ESL Learners. For this great community of ESL teachers, this useful article might help us know our options.