PODCASTS

Continuing the topic of my previous two posts, I would like to mention the integration of podcasts in the teaching-learning process.  There are some recent studies discussing the benefits of using podcasts in EFL classrooms. For instance, some writers suggest using podcasts for improving students’ pronunciation   (Ducate and Lomicka, 2009) or using podcasting as an effective tool for exchanging  information and creating content (Mehring). According to the article written by John Mehring, podcasting is very helpful in motivating the students and engaging them in meaningful activities such as exchanging recopies. I, personally have never used podcasting in my English classes, however, reading those positive comments about the effectiveness of this tool , I would love to integrate this technology in my further teaching process.

First of all, podcasts give learners the chance of listening to authentic material which in itself helps them to develop their speaking and listening skills. There is a huge resource of content which the learners can make use of.  Besides, the learners can choose the topic of their interest such as business, technology, medicine, education.  Personally, I prefer podcasts on Psychology, Art and human brain apart from education.Thus, I think when using podcasts in teaching, it would be a good idea for teachers not to restrict their students choice. The students learn better when they are really motivated and interested in the content.

Besides listening to podcasts, students can be engaged in podcasting. They can create their own podcasts and share with their peers. This can help the learners use the target language as a tool to create new content and exchange information. This will certainly develop not only their language skills, but also creative thinking.

Introducing Blogging in EFL Classrooms

In my previous post I discussed the phenomenon of making the world “flatter” by using the Internet.  In my view, blogging can be considered to be a great “flattener”  as it helps people  not only to reflect on various topics but also to connect with other people and share ideas. Some of the educators all over the world have already started using blogging  in their classrooms and have had quite successful results in terms of raising their learners’ motivation and involvement. I think, I would like to use this educational tool in my future teaching practice as it certainly has lots of positive features.

According to the video with Will Richardson, a famous blogger, blogging is a specific writing genre that helps to develop learners’ creative, critical and metacognitive thinking. There is a siginoficant difference between writing on paper and blogging; unlike writing on paper, blogging helps you to connect to other people having the same interests. Also, it is a rich source of new ideas and resources. Besides, you can learn a lot from the comments made by the readers of your blogs.  For instance, there are a lot of hot discussions going on about specific areas of interest.  Educators, as well as learners all over the world can share their experience and suggest new ideas for various things. Thus, blogging can develop not only the learners writing skills but also reading skills and critical thinking .

According to Will Richardson, blogging really helps your learners to get involved in the learning process. Here people have the chance of creating content for real audience and the fact makes a big difference for them. They become more motivated and interested in learning as a result.

`In conclusion, I think I would really love to use the tool of blogging in my classes. One of the possible challenges that I might face is that the Armenian learners are more used to the traditional way of leaning. So I will have to indroduce the idea of using English outside the classroom. They should realize all the potential this tool can offer them and make the best use of it.

The World is Flat

While watching the videos called "Digital Youth",  I was surprised how easily and quickly the children of the 21^st century have adapted to the world of technology. They can use technology  “naturally” and the most striking thing about those “digital” children is that no one have really taught them how to use those complicated tools in detail, how to get information or how to create something using computers . They were simply introduced those tools and learned all by themselves. For example, in one of the vidioes  Cameron (grade 6) have started  using computer since the age of 4. The surprising thing is that no one told him how to create something on a computer. He has built problem solving skills all by himself and now he can easily create movies on a computer.

Another similar example is Dylan (grade 8) who works on a website and helps children from all over the world to connect to each other virtually and share information. It is amazing how those children collaborate with each other and try to raise other children’s awareness of important global issues such as animal cruelty, for instance. In fact, those children have contributed in the process of making this world “flatter”, a term that I have heard in the video called “The World is Flat” on YouTube.

I think, the above mentioned examples illustrate how important technologies can be for children to pursue their goals and interests. The time has come to realize that various technologies are essential educational tools nowadays and teachers should realize their importance. It is obvious that the younger generation is far better at computers and cell phones than the older ones. However, I think, Armenian teachers should not be afraid of these “new things” that they are not so good at.  They should simply introduce those tools to their pupils and let them learn by themselves. Teachers should realize that when  children are interested in something and is actively involved in the process of getting information or creating something  they will do all these by themselves. They just need some guiding on part of the teacher.

The representatives of the new generation are “digital natives” and they are directly involved in the process of making this world flatter. According to Thomas Friedman, the author of the book called “ The World is Flat”, we have already entered the stage of making this world “tiny” . This means a person can easily communicate, share information, collaborate and get an access to the information he needs with the help of the new technologies. He mentions 10 flatteners, the first of which is the fall of the Berlin Wall, when the term globalization was first introduced. Then the Netscape company went public in 1995 and gave us the internet browser. Another important flattener is the introduction of the fiber optic cable, which brought down the cost of communication and more people could connect with each other cheaply.

It is really amazing how fast the Internet has integrated into our lives. People can simply sit at home and make important business deals, make hotel reservations or book tickets, participate in conferences or learn something.  In my view, people should really work hard to keep up with this crazy pace so as not to lag behind.