TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH COMPUTER

1
TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH COMPUTER
2
Points to ponder

• What kinds of technology?
• Why use computer technology in English?
• Emerging technologies used in English
• Factors to be considered when using the Internet
• Issues involved in using computer technology in
  your classroom
• Making the most of the computers

3
What kinds of technology?

• In English, technology includes cameras, audio
  equipment, computer technology, video equipment,
  ohps, scanners, printers, CD

4
Why use computer technology in English?

• 1. There are the benefits to teachers and
  students from including computer technology in
  any learning area

5
For students, technology can

• be very motivational
• be the source of a significant amount of reading
  material
• be fun - and when it's fun you learn!
• help students to produce excellent published work

6
For teachers, technology can

• allow for the easy production, storage and
  retrieval of prepared materials such as work
  required sheets

7

• free up communication with other teachers
• help teachers to find information easily
• assist good teaching but not replace it!

8

• 2. There are the challenges and opportunities
  presented by computer technology that make it an
  increasingly important part of English in
  particular.

9

• Creating and using new kinds of texts.- such as
  hyper-texts, web-pages, e-mail communications,
  and multi-media texts.

10

• Judging the appropriate use of new kinds of
  texts. - When we use computer technology to
  make and access texts, we operate in changing
  social contexts.

11

• Critically reading and viewing computer-based
  texts.
• - While teachers have been busy learning to use
  computer technology, the emphasis has reasonably
  been on practical applications rather than
  critical analysis

12
Emerging technologies can be used in English

• Word processing/desk top publishing
• Internet for information
• CD ROM information
• Web page Construction
• Interactive book reading

13

• Drawing
• Digital image manipulation
• Sound recording
• Graphic organizing
• Games

14

• Talking Books/ PowerPoint Presentations
• Chat lines
• e-mail

15
Factors to be considered when using the Internet

• 1 Internet troubles
• 2 High Tech in a Low-Tech Environment

16
1 Internet Troubles

• Slow downloads
• Solutions
• Have students work in groups to minimize the
  number of Internet connections used

17

• Visit the sites from each computer right before
  the lesson begins so the sites will be cached

18

• Download the entire site onto the computers hard
  drive using recommended software.

19

• Dead Links
• Solutions
• Use larger, well established sites
• Check sites regularly to see that they are still
  functioning

20

• Orient the students to the fact that Web
  addresses change

21
Lost in Cyberspace

• Solutions
• Create friendly homepage for your course
• Take the time to see that the web browsers are
  properly configured

22
High Tech in a Low-Tech Environment

• Focus on e-mail
• Combine off-line and on-line work
• Have students work in groups
• Make use of computers outside the school

23
Issues Involved in using Computer technology

• Developing a whole school approach
• The teaching strategies needed to accommodate the
  computers

24

• Where to place the computers in the classroom
• The technical assistance needed
• Classroom dynamics
• Moral, ethical and equity questions

25
Making the most out of the computers

• No available computers
• Solutions
• Use other forms of technology
• Encourage home computer use

26
One computer in the class

• Keep a record chart of computer use
• Use the computer to promote collaboration

27

• Have a computer specific task in all activities
• Encourage the use of computer facilities

28
Two or more in the class

• Organize group activities around the computer
• Assign specific activities to each computer

29

• Make one or some of the activities ones which can
  only be completed using the computer

30
A room full of computers to book into

• Get onside with the IT manager
• Have a booking sheet
• Arrange shorter and more specific task if access
  is limited