Week 8: Learning how to read: Literary Review

Article: Teaching ESL Reading Using Computers by Saad AlKahtani.

     In the author's research Saad AlKahtani set out to see if computers could replace teachers in the classroom; whether or not computers could be an assistant to learning English or the one and only teacher. What he found was that there is not much research done in this area and the little done concludes that “computers have not yet gotten to the point where they can make a real difference in language instruction”. The article discusses research done regarding the benefits of computer based reading programs in English language learning classrooms followed by three examples of programs that could be used in the classroom.

     So computers are yet to replace a teacher in language instruction but what the author found is that they sure can help. Most of the research done concluded that vocabulary was retained and understood easier through computer based reading systems. It is the combination of visual and audio learning which helped increase vocabulary understanding and retention. Research also found that students' reading speed and comprehension increased after using reading systems on the computer.

     What are these amazing computer reading programs the author speaks of? He reviews three of them in this article. The first is the MacReader, second StoryBoard, and last but not least, Reading Galaxy. He briefly goes over the activities, features, and benefits of each one. Most of them have exercises where students read stories, articles or teacher prepared materials. They have activities that go along with each text: comprehension questions, Cloze exercises, jumble word exercises, vocabulary definitions, a feature that can time the speed of the reader.  Another feature is word guessing.  This feature allows the reader to guess words in the story or article strengthening their reading skills.

     The programs sound very interesting. I would love to try them in my classroom with my struggling readers. The combination of listening and reading is a great benefit to ELLs. I would like it if the programs had voice recognition as well but since these programs are not designed specifically for ELLs it does not. Another benefit of computer based reading is that the students will be able to use them outside of the classroom. This is an excellent way to encourage independent learning.

Note: Looking for the programs online I was unable to fine two of them.  I am not sure if they don't exist anymore or if my search wasn't good enough.  Let me know if you find anything.  Thanks.

Week 6: Midway Point: Where I am thus far

     Looking at the class objectives (see below) I have noticed that we are on our way to covering them all.  In class thus far we have discussed the affects technology has on our society, students, and our personal lives.  Furthermore, we have brainstormed problems and solutions to current issues and adaptations of technologies with different classrooms and students.  We have be exposed to a variety of online resources that are applicable in every classroom, including ESL.
     I have enjoyed using the new technology we have learned so far.  Some of them include blogs, Prezi, Scratch, Google docs, Diigo with many more to follow in the preceding weeks.  I can see how each of these technologies can be helpful to a teacher and to students.  Of course I am thinking of how they will be used in an ESL classroom since this is my specialty.  Everything that we have touched on so far could be used and beneficial in an ESL classroom. 
     I have enjoyed this class immensely.  It is incredibly beneficial for a modern, up-to-date teacher of an ESL classroom.  This is my last class in the graduate program and I feel that when it concludes I will be prepared to use technology in my future classrooms as well as when student teaching.

Objectives/Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate the understanding of how technologies can effectively promote student learning
2. Evaluate and use a variety of current technologies to enhance content instruction and to advance students in technological literacy
3. Design meaningful and authentic digitally based learning experiences with multiple and varied assessments
4. Reflect upon and demonstrate effective use of digital tools and resources
5. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of safe, ethical, legal and moral practices related to digital information and technology
6. Illustrate through application how state and national standards are implemented within the curriculum (e.g., NH Curriculum Frameworks, ISTE (NETS-Teacher/NETS-Student) and NH-ICT Literacy Standards for K-12 Students (306.42))
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of adaptive technologies and other digital resources to personalize and differentiate learning activities for every student
8. Evaluate, adapt and reflect on emerging tools and trends by participating in local and global learning communities and by reviewing current research and professional literature

Week 2: Second Life to real life

Article: 16 WAYS TO USE SECOND LIFE IN YOUR CLASSROOM: PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES AND VIRTUAL ASSIGNMENTS by Michele Ryan

     The article read is an organized summary of information collected in a doctoral research project done at Lancaster University in the UK.  It is a guide for technology-craving teachers who are deficient in implementation ideas.  Ways in how to incorporate Second Life into a regular classroom are broken down into sixteen practiced ideas.  Each approach gives a summary, how it was used in actual classrooms, and implementation suggestions.
     There is a growing demand and requirement over the years for more technology to be used in the classroom.  Ryan states that even early on in his research he realized that "overcoming pedagogical challenges was, perhaps, of greater importance than overcoming technical barriers".  What he is saying is that he found loads of teachers willing and wanting to use technology in their classrooms but confused on how.  The outcome was a user-friendly guide to utilizing Second Life in the classroom.
     As I am studying to teach English to speakers of other languages, I looked at how all sixteen ways are applicable to ESL classrooms.  Since there are many ideas I thought they would be best reviewed in list form.  Each example will give examples for how it can be used with ELLs in order to increase comprehension.


1. Adding a Visual Element (Data Visualization): creating 3D objects to demonstrate ideas, abstract concepts, data, etc.
2. Interactive Library: the teacher and students could create a place to find information, practice vocabulary, etc. by watching videos, taking quizzes, playing games, reading and adding to the classroom blogs, finding examples of content discussed in lectures, and much more.
3. Connection Device: it is where students can practice communicating with others in the class, students at other schools in the state, nation, or around the globe.  Students can work in teams with other schools, learn new dialects, meet other ESL students, practice conversational norms and registers.
4. Role Playing Device: with their avatars students are able to work through fictional situations.  Since there are no real-life consequences students are able to take greater chances using multiple attempts.
5. Simulation Device: where students are presented with situations which they can work through a process using trial and error.
6. Games for Learning: teachers can create educational games, such as scavenger hunts, within the worlds to find differences between cultures, vocabulary words, answers to trivia questions, etc.
7. Soft Skill Development: Second Life can be where ELLs practice social skills in a non-threatening environment.  Using their own or anonymous avatars students can practice critical thinking, problem solving, team building, and collaboration.
8. Research: students can study the different worlds within Second Life.  They can study the different economies, cultures, and races which can result in writing a research paper.
9. Virtual Tourism and Field Trips: students are able to visit practically any place they have ever imagined.  ELLs can educate the other students on the county where they are from by traveling inworld.

10. Social Device: again students are able to practice communicating, the language, social skills, social norms, language norms, etc. through chatting and interacting.
11. Create Anonymity: using avatars, students may feel more comfortable taking risks, asking questions, or talking about touchy or confidential matters.  They may feel more empowered and be able to overcome fears.
12. Machinima Creation (Video Filmed Inworld): students can create e-portfolios or inworld presentations.
13. Recruitment: Second Life can be used as a way to promote ideas or research.
14. Build Awareness and/or Promote an Event: similar to the above idea, students can use Second Life to raise money, promote an event, showcase work, educate people on their ideas or research.
15. Building for the Sake of Learning How to Build: simply put, students learn how to build things.
16. As an Open Learning Environment (Virtual Action Learning): students will be able to learn from others, just like in the "real world".

     With clear learning objectives, Second Life (SL) can be used in a variety of classroom lessons.  Whether it is for extensive projects or just here and there, SL can develop and sharpen many different skills.  Working with other administrators or having students create projects for future classes would be helpful because planning lessons can be time consuming or require advanced computer skills. 
     In an ESL classroom I believe the most beneficial aspects of SL are the visual and interactive.  Visual aids are valuable to all students when learning new concepts.  Interacting with others in the non-threatening world of Second Life allows students to take risks and learn from others.  With this short guide, even though I have never used SL, I feel confident that I would be able to include it in future lessons.

I have included a couple of videos.  The first one supplies an overview of how Second Life works.  The second video goes over how Second Life can be used for educational purposes.