We talked about digital storytelling in depth, and we played around with Hot Potatoes. While these can be great, just googling activities can lend itself to promising results. It just takes some creativity, but even if you are not the most creative type, chances are someone else has plenty of teaching resources available.
I also thought the comparison between Web 1.0 (the static web) and Web 2.0 (the interactive side) was interesting. I had heard the terms before but had never really tried to understand what that could mean for the language classroom. It seems that though Web 1.0 is great for reading, listening, and informational purposes, it is only with Web 2.0 that we can emphasize the communicative aspect of language learning that is so prominent in our theories these days.
That being said, the obvious drawbacks with technology--even with just using the web--is that there is no guarantee that every classroom nor every student will have access to the internet, let alone a computer. As such, it is important to keep in mind that technology can only go so far.
And that brings us to another matter altogether. When is technology taking over the classroom? Having taught ENG 105 for a semester, I am used to technology, even if there are teachers who use it far more than I do. That is why when I began co-teaching an ESL class this semester in a classroom sans technology, I ran into roadblocks with my lesson planning. For someone who grew up in the so-called "Informational Age," am I too used to relying on technology when my creativity fails? Probably.
What about you? Do you feel like you rely too much on technology? What's important in finding the right balance?
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