Title of Software: Spanish Steps
Producer: British Broadcasting Corporation © 2002-2005. Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London,W1A 1AA
Target students (e.g., age or grade-level of students): This practical digital learning resource is adaptable for grade levels from 3rd to adults learners.
Proficiency level (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced): It is designed to suit all these categories. The user can have no knowledge or little about the language, and because is designed in steps the learner can progress their own learning.
Description:This program, Spanish Steps in a self-contained online learning where the user can learn about grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, learning log, etc in their own pace. It has video based (conversations with different scenarios; available in Eng. and Span.) with activities that has a challenge at the end of each of them and with grammar tips. It has 24 units that are divided into 6 categories.
It is a digital learning object with repurpose (it means you can use this in a new way or context), reusable (people can used for a different purpose), adoptable (use this information at school, home, etc. without changing it), adaptable (modify the digital learning resource for reuse, and it support material for students that already know), and it is interoperate (user can plug and play to exchange data of information having no knowledge or little).
This learning resource it is very easy friendly. It has additional links that provide extra information. Also click and drag, match the meaning, sounds of Spanish words, missing the letter are some of the activities that evaluate the learning of the conversations.
Language skills targeted: Spanish
Evaluation:
For this program at didn’t find any weakness. The bbc page offers mini tutorials in 35 languages. It will be effective for students and adults to learn and practice a different language. I definitely use it in my classroom because it has different scenarios where the students can interact while learning and work in their own pace.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/lj/
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Reading Prompt # 6
EGBERT Ch. 6. Inquiry and Problem Solving
RICHARDSON Ch. 8. Podcasting and Screencasting: Multimedia Publishing for the Masses
Describe an inquiry or problem solving activity appropriate for ELLs that you have used, participated in, read about, or just now thought of. Describe which critical thinking skills it requires students to use and develop. Then, describe how this activity supports language and content learning for ELLs. Finally, comment on how podcasting could be used within the inquiry and problem solving process in a manner which supports language and content learning for ELLs.
According to Egbert, Inquiry is a process of discovery where the students go through several stages: questioning, reflecting and research. Problem-Solving, is the use of HOTS (higher order thinking skills) to find solutions (observe, organize, predict, synthesize, discuss, reflect, investigate, etc). The main points of Chapter #6 are using the skills that support students in the use of the language learning and the part that inquiry and problem-solving plays. Also, learning about technology programs that will help develop inquiry and problem-solving; and how computers can make language learning through inquiry and problem-solving more efficient and effective.
He also mentioned the steps for Inquiry and Problem-Solving, that even though they are different skills (inquiry and Problem-solving), critical thinking skills plays an important role in order to develop the language process. Some of them are:
*Know fact and opinion
*Distinguish a good reliable source and the information in it.
*Detecting Bias
The inquiry projects can be used to support language and content learning, by interacting with peers, answering meaningful questions, etc.
Egbert mentioned tips that will help create opportunities for solving-problem and inquiry. They are plenning of activities(wheter using technology or not) that help the learner increase their potential and master a inquiry and problem-solving skills.Computer Technologies can enhance language and content learning, during inquiry and problem solving activities with ESL Students.Learners can read, interact, listen with computer activities. The use of podcasting will be a great motivational tool for ELL students. It enables learners the ability to create a multimedia presentation and to use language to develop the results of the Inquiry and Problem-Solving activities.
RICHARDSON Ch. 8. Podcasting and Screencasting: Multimedia Publishing for the Masses
Describe an inquiry or problem solving activity appropriate for ELLs that you have used, participated in, read about, or just now thought of. Describe which critical thinking skills it requires students to use and develop. Then, describe how this activity supports language and content learning for ELLs. Finally, comment on how podcasting could be used within the inquiry and problem solving process in a manner which supports language and content learning for ELLs.
According to Egbert, Inquiry is a process of discovery where the students go through several stages: questioning, reflecting and research. Problem-Solving, is the use of HOTS (higher order thinking skills) to find solutions (observe, organize, predict, synthesize, discuss, reflect, investigate, etc). The main points of Chapter #6 are using the skills that support students in the use of the language learning and the part that inquiry and problem-solving plays. Also, learning about technology programs that will help develop inquiry and problem-solving; and how computers can make language learning through inquiry and problem-solving more efficient and effective.
He also mentioned the steps for Inquiry and Problem-Solving, that even though they are different skills (inquiry and Problem-solving), critical thinking skills plays an important role in order to develop the language process. Some of them are:
*Know fact and opinion
*Distinguish a good reliable source and the information in it.
*Detecting Bias
The inquiry projects can be used to support language and content learning, by interacting with peers, answering meaningful questions, etc.
Egbert mentioned tips that will help create opportunities for solving-problem and inquiry. They are plenning of activities(wheter using technology or not) that help the learner increase their potential and master a inquiry and problem-solving skills.Computer Technologies can enhance language and content learning, during inquiry and problem solving activities with ESL Students.Learners can read, interact, listen with computer activities. The use of podcasting will be a great motivational tool for ELL students. It enables learners the ability to create a multimedia presentation and to use language to develop the results of the Inquiry and Problem-Solving activities.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Reading Prompt #5
EGBERT Ch. 5. Creativity and Productivity
RICHARDSON Ch. 4. Wikis: Easy Collaboration for All
Popular second language acquisition theories stress the importance of "comprehensible input." While most agree this is important, many others argue we also need to focus on output as well. What are some ideas you gained from the Egbert chapter about how technology can be used to encourage creativity and production? How does this help promote language learning? Share any experiences you've had with any of these or similar ideas in language learning classrooms. Finally, comment on the potential of Wikis to allow language learners to collaborate in creative and productive ways.
While reading the chapter, I gained a lot of ideas that will facilitate and support the creativity and production of our students. I will definitely develop my future lessons by integrating activities that will encourage to use their imagination to fabricate a meaningful product. Expanding their creativity, the students also develop their language process. For example, when I created a group presentation using a specific software and by producing something, it helps me as a ELL develop my language skills.
Wikis is a great free tool that teachers can use in their classroom to help and support their students production and creativity. It is a quick source of facilitating learning, and is easy to use. I would like the idea of building our own wiki- page, creating and editing sound like fun. The only concern that I can think of is that we need to teach our students to learn how to count and choose on reliable information in the Internet.
RICHARDSON Ch. 4. Wikis: Easy Collaboration for All
Popular second language acquisition theories stress the importance of "comprehensible input." While most agree this is important, many others argue we also need to focus on output as well. What are some ideas you gained from the Egbert chapter about how technology can be used to encourage creativity and production? How does this help promote language learning? Share any experiences you've had with any of these or similar ideas in language learning classrooms. Finally, comment on the potential of Wikis to allow language learners to collaborate in creative and productive ways.
While reading the chapter, I gained a lot of ideas that will facilitate and support the creativity and production of our students. I will definitely develop my future lessons by integrating activities that will encourage to use their imagination to fabricate a meaningful product. Expanding their creativity, the students also develop their language process. For example, when I created a group presentation using a specific software and by producing something, it helps me as a ELL develop my language skills.
Wikis is a great free tool that teachers can use in their classroom to help and support their students production and creativity. It is a quick source of facilitating learning, and is easy to use. I would like the idea of building our own wiki- page, creating and editing sound like fun. The only concern that I can think of is that we need to teach our students to learn how to count and choose on reliable information in the Internet.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Reading Prompt # 4
EGBERT Ch. 4. Communication & Collaboration
RICHARDSON Ch. 5. RSS: The New Killer App for Educators
Why is communication and collaboration so important in the language learning classroom? What ideas did you gain from the Egbert chapter about how computers and technology can be used to facilitate greater communication and collaboration for students? Give any personal examples you have had using these or other ideas
Collaboration and communication are key fundaments for the students because it allow them to express themselves and interact among other language learners. That is very important in and outside the classroom because it will facilitate their learning while practicing and listening conversations. It will be more enhancing if we, as teachers could integrate technology to extend that language communication with collaboration with other students by increasing their social integration. While supporting those social interactions, teachers must be sure that is effective and always consider the physical classroom while using computers.
Ebgert chapter also mentioned activities using technology (using software or Internet) that support communication and collaboration. While reading example #5 (posting reading reflections online) like we do in class, I think that is an awesome way of electronic communication. I like it a lot! :) cant wait to implement this great educational- electronic tool to my future classroom. Webquest is another way to support communication and encourage collaboration among students.
In one of my Instructional Technology classes, we have one face to face class and the following an online discussion class using the chat on Webct; until the semester is over. This is my second semester using this type of communication, it is easy for everybody to participate, is convenient because you can do it from your home, with many other benefits. For me, as a English Learner is great because it gives me the opportunity to notice informal language used by native English speakers (slang and abbreviations), and also it helps me to improve my literacy skills.
RICHARDSON Ch. 5. RSS: The New Killer App for Educators
Why is communication and collaboration so important in the language learning classroom? What ideas did you gain from the Egbert chapter about how computers and technology can be used to facilitate greater communication and collaboration for students? Give any personal examples you have had using these or other ideas
Collaboration and communication are key fundaments for the students because it allow them to express themselves and interact among other language learners. That is very important in and outside the classroom because it will facilitate their learning while practicing and listening conversations. It will be more enhancing if we, as teachers could integrate technology to extend that language communication with collaboration with other students by increasing their social integration. While supporting those social interactions, teachers must be sure that is effective and always consider the physical classroom while using computers.
Ebgert chapter also mentioned activities using technology (using software or Internet) that support communication and collaboration. While reading example #5 (posting reading reflections online) like we do in class, I think that is an awesome way of electronic communication. I like it a lot! :) cant wait to implement this great educational- electronic tool to my future classroom. Webquest is another way to support communication and encourage collaboration among students.
In one of my Instructional Technology classes, we have one face to face class and the following an online discussion class using the chat on Webct; until the semester is over. This is my second semester using this type of communication, it is easy for everybody to participate, is convenient because you can do it from your home, with many other benefits. For me, as a English Learner is great because it gives me the opportunity to notice informal language used by native English speakers (slang and abbreviations), and also it helps me to improve my literacy skills.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Reading Prompt # 3
CUMMINS Ch. 4. Technology
EGBERT Ch. 3. Developing and Practicing Listening and Speaking Skills
Cummins et al. discussed the pedagogical divide that separates instruction for low-income and for more affluent students. Discuss some of the technology-supported strategies from their chapter. Also comment on one of the examples from Egbert's chapter and describe how computers can assist ELLs with learning and practicing listening and speaking in English.
Cummins discussed the pedagogical that separate the learning on low-income and for more affluent students. The author explained the support in which technology can be used as a tool to encourage ELL learners to promote literacy and higher level skills in and outside of the classroom. He also mentioned how the three elements: engagement, generativity, and control made more productive students.
Egbert’s chapter describe how computers facilitate their learning while practicing and listening to English with people from different places. It is a multiple facility and form of communication that helps their ELL literacy development.
EGBERT Ch. 3. Developing and Practicing Listening and Speaking Skills
Cummins et al. discussed the pedagogical divide that separates instruction for low-income and for more affluent students. Discuss some of the technology-supported strategies from their chapter. Also comment on one of the examples from Egbert's chapter and describe how computers can assist ELLs with learning and practicing listening and speaking in English.
Cummins discussed the pedagogical that separate the learning on low-income and for more affluent students. The author explained the support in which technology can be used as a tool to encourage ELL learners to promote literacy and higher level skills in and outside of the classroom. He also mentioned how the three elements: engagement, generativity, and control made more productive students.
Egbert’s chapter describe how computers facilitate their learning while practicing and listening to English with people from different places. It is a multiple facility and form of communication that helps their ELL literacy development.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Reading Prompt #2
What are "multiliteracies" as described by Cummins et al.? How does this relate to Egbert's assertions about the need for authentic materials to support ELL students' reading and writing? Discuss how blogs and blogging can be a tool for achieving these ideals with ELL students. Finally, describe your own experience creating your blog this week. Was it harder than you thought? What ideas do you have about the kind of stuff you want to blog about (besides what is required for this course)?
For Cummins, "multiliteracies" not only consist in reading and writing in one language. Is the diversity of language, knowledge and skills that the student bring into the classroom. Now a days, the students are exposed to new forms of literacy. We as teachers, need to have a deep understanding and scaffold our students to continuing building their knowledge and multilingual literacies. Technology will be a bridge for motivate, and engages our students to progress in their education.
The blogs will be an authentic tool for Egbert’s assertions about the need of authentic material to support ELL student’s multiliteracies.
I really enjoyed creating my blog :) (even tough I found myself lost when putting a code for a new template) but, I look forward to learn and practice using and posted new things on my blog. It is a really easy and fun tool that we can generated to communicate and expand our learning experiences. I cant wait to implement this great tool into my future classroom.
For Cummins, "multiliteracies" not only consist in reading and writing in one language. Is the diversity of language, knowledge and skills that the student bring into the classroom. Now a days, the students are exposed to new forms of literacy. We as teachers, need to have a deep understanding and scaffold our students to continuing building their knowledge and multilingual literacies. Technology will be a bridge for motivate, and engages our students to progress in their education.
The blogs will be an authentic tool for Egbert’s assertions about the need of authentic material to support ELL student’s multiliteracies.
I really enjoyed creating my blog :) (even tough I found myself lost when putting a code for a new template) but, I look forward to learn and practice using and posted new things on my blog. It is a really easy and fun tool that we can generated to communicate and expand our learning experiences. I cant wait to implement this great tool into my future classroom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
