Unit (1) - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Unit (1) Basic Principles of Teaching English & Using Technology

Dr. Nazmi Abdel-Salam Al-

Masri

Sept 2012

The Islamic University of GazaSlide2

Unit (1) ObjectivesTo be familiar with key terms related to language teaching and technology.

To be more aware of the core components of the process of teaching and learning.

To develop strong positive attitude towards the importance of using ICTs in teaching English.

To be more aware of practical procedures to overcome challenges facing using ICTs in teaching.Slide3

Language & technology-related acronyms What is CALL?

Slide4

What is CALL? Computer Assisted language Learning

CALL is an approach to language teaching &

learning in which computer technology is used

as an aid to the presentation, reinforcement &

assessment of material to be learned, usually

including a substantial interactive element.Slide5

Language & technology-related acronyms What is ICT?

Information…………………………………….Slide6

What is ICT?Information Communications Technology

ICTs are a “diverse set of technological tools &

resources used to communicate, & to create,

disseminate, store, & manage information.” These

technologies include computers, the Internet,

broadcasting technologies (radio and television), &

telephonySlide7

HOTS & LOTSWhat is meant by HOTS & LOTS?

Higher ....................................................

Lower .......................................................Slide8

HOTS

Higher Order Thinking Skills

HOTS

include critical, logical, reflective, meta-cognitive, & creative thinking.

are activated when individuals encounter unfamiliar problems, uncertainties, questions, or dilemmas . . . that promote continued growth in these & other intellectual skills.

are designed to develop & increase cognitive development.Slide9

LOTSLower Order Thinking SkillsLOTS are cognitive skills such as discriminations, simple

application & analysis, & cognitive strategies

& are linked to prior knowledge of subject matter

content.

Appropriate teaching strategies & learning

environments facilitate their growth as do student

persistence, self-monitoring, & open-minded, flexible

attitudesSlide10

Understanding Palestinian English teaching contextWhy English is taught in Palestine?

What do English teachers teach? In

3

s

, list 3 main aspects/skills & give examples

In 3s, try to list

10

language skills & language aspects that you, as ELT, would teachSlide11

What is meant by a learner-

centered

environment?

Read & reflect 1/2

The National Research Council of the U.S. defines learner-centered environments as those that “pay careful attention to

the knowledge, skills, attitudes,

and

beliefs

that learners bring with them to the classroom.”

The

impetus for learner-

centredness

derives from a theory of learning called

constructivism

, which views learning as a process in which individuals “construct”

meaning based on prior knowledge and experience

.

Experience

enables individuals to build mental models or schemas, which in turn provide meaning and organization to subsequent experience. Slide12

What is meant by a learner-centered environment? Read & reflect 2/2

Thus knowledge is not “out there”, independent of the learner and which the learner passively receives; rather, knowledge is created through an

active process

in which the learner transforms information, constructs hypothesis, and makes decisions using his/her mental models.

A

form of constructivism called

social constructivism

also emphasizes the role of the teacher, parents, peers and other community members in helping learners to master concepts that they would not be able to understand on their own. For social constructivists, learning must be

active, contextual and social

. It is best done in a

group setting

with the teacher as facilitator or guide. .(ICT in Education by Victoria L.

Tinio

)Slide13

How can English be taught?In groups of 3s,

try to list

10

commonly-used technological tools that can be used to teach

EnglishSlide14

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about using ICTs in teaching English in Gaza?

1

It is important for teachers to become familiar with their own students’ level of familiarity with ICTs before teaching English using technologies.

Most of students would be excited about using ICTs.

ICTs

are going to revolutionise the way English is learnt.

Using

ICTs in teaching English develops active learning.Slide15

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about using ICTs in teaching English in Gaza?

2

Using ICTs in teaching English develops collaborative learning.

ICTs

are only relevant for developing writing and reading

skills“

ICTs

can be used to promote creative learning (LOTS & HOTS

).

“

ICTs are not a hammer and not every teaching problem is a nail!”Slide16

Advantages of using ICTs/CALL - 1

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the

following statements about using ICTs in teaching

English in Gaza?

It is important for teachers to become familiar with their own students’ level of familiarity with ICTs before teaching English using technologies.

Most of students would be excited about using ICTs.

ICTs are going to revolutionise the way English is learnt Slide17

Advantages of using ICTs/CALL - 2

4.

Using ICTs in teaching English develops active learning.

5. Using ICTs in teaching English develops collaborative learning.

6. ICTs are only relevant for developing writing & reading skills"

7. ICTs can be used to promote creative learning (LOTS & HOTS).

8. “ICTs are not a hammer & not every teaching problem is a nail!”Slide18

Advantages of using ICTs/CALL -1

In pairs, discuss which 4 of the following reasons

(advantages) for using ICTs/CALL are the most important ones. Why? Try to add 2 more advantages.

Strengthen affective factors: motivation, interest and attitude.

Promote cognitive skills: discovery learning, problem-solving,

provide authentic materials for study,Slide19

Advantages of using ICTs/CALL - 2

4. provide individualization & student self-pacing

5. develop independence from a single source of information,

6. Lead to a more learner-

centered

classroom

7. Encourage collaborative work Slide20

Advantages of using ICTs/CALL - 3

Reinforce active learning and better student attention

Offer diversified teaching methods

Offer visual stimulation

.................................................

.................................................Slide21

Challenges for using CALL -1In pairs, discuss which 2 of the following challenges

(barriers) for using CALL are the most serious ones.

Why? Try to add more.

Financial barriers,

Availability of computer hardware & software,

Technical & theoretical knowledge,

Acceptance of technology Slide22

Challenges for using CALL -25. Time consuming & time spent learning new technologies

6.

The need for back-up plans

7. Anxiety for teachers

8. Technical difficulties: equipment failures

a burnt-out bulb on an OHP

computer screen freezing during the middle of a PPP

power on-off

broken or slow links on websites

wasting time accessing websites containing erroneous or too much detailed informationSlide23

Reducing impact of challengesIn pairs, discuss which 2 of the following techniques can also reduce the negative impact of the challenges facing using technology in teaching.

Try to add more.

In-advanced planning & checking technology tools

Providing students with time to tinker with new ICTs before they are expected to carry out an assignment using them.

introducing the students to netiquette & rules of interaction: explanations & modelling. Slide24

Pedagogical implicationsTaking into consideration the questions discussed

Above & the proverb below, try to list 2 pedagogical

implications related to teaching English using

technology.

“

Don’t throw the technology out with the bath water”