Week 9 and Keep Using Technology in the Classroom

This week was very active but also was one more week full of treasures. We learned and discuss about multiple intelligences, learning styles and technology usage based on student centered classroom.

I was impress to find so many articles related to teaching using technology trying to address the different learning styles. I never thought that there were so many research about how having specific activities using technology would impact different students’ learning styles and intelligences.

The discussions on Nicenet left great contributions to our own learning experience. I fell in love of the 5Cs and of the Standards since “The Standards document states that learning strategies are an integral part of the -weave- of curricular elements that help students to learn -what to say to whom and when- (Standards, p. 29). The Standards authors call for creating -rich curricular experiences- by bringing in such notions as critical thinking skills, cultural knowledge, and learning strategies.” I would add that Standards promote learner’s autonomy too, since is based in the “assumption that -All students can be successful language and culture learners- (Standards, p. 7). The Standards statement of philosophy states that the ultimate goal is -a future in which all students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other language, modern or classical- (Standards, p.7). This concept is integral to language strategies instruction, since learning strategies provide a way for all students to become proficient in a foreign language.”

 Then I finalized my Webquest based on what I learned from the articles. I created flash cards using power point and I include them on it. I used all the resources from it during my classes with great results. After applying a student survey, I notice the students were happy with the usage of technology and without a doubt developing more their different intelligences. They are like sponges absorbing all the new knowledge and new experiences.

I worked on my final project. I made the changes suggested by my partner and I traduced to English the class syllabus to include it on the final project. This left me a great satisfaction feeling and at the same time I realized that the end of the class was getting closer. I updated my class site and I had good comments from parents accessing to it.

Then I completed the course evaluation and I gave my compliments to our very well prepared Instructor who set the example of using the model the University of Oregon created to develop web skills with us. The way she was discovering the information and triggering our background experiences with our present learning was exactly the best way to be a role model for us.

The interaction with the classmates is profoundly appreciated by me.

I am planning to keep using more technological tools into my teaching. I want to create an online survey for parents. And I am creating a list with ideas that I am going to develop during the summer where I will be using the different tools I haven’t used yet with the students. Like improving my class site and have a delicious link on it. I will  incorporate Voicethreat and ANVILL, avatars’ creation and some many more tech tools etc! I can wait!

Thank you all for another great week!

Aida