Lesson 2

What is the role of technology in education?

Let's listen to the experts

Outstanding Questions in Education: The Role of Technology in Education from MindRocket Media Group on Vimeo. (No CC available)

Let's listen to the relevant actors

Technology is the Future of Education from Ewa Makai Media on Vimeo.

Start thinking about your answer to the question: What is the role of technology in education?

DOWN TO WORK

SPEAKING

"Students must be confident before they can do their best to develop their speaking skills. Undoubtedly, confidence has a direct impact on their willingness to participate in different activities and tasks. It also affects their wanting to take risks and negotiate meaning when interacting with others. When students lack confidence, they tend to get nervous and hold back. They also tend to over-monitor their speech, and this affects fluency and the complexity of the language they use." (Mercado, 2012). This is one of the reasons why students usually tend to speak using their mother tongue instead of English

Technology can play an important role in getting students to feel confident since it allows them to practise on their own or with their friends before they are asked to perform in front of others who may be not familiar to them. It helps them by allowing the opportunity to reahearse over and over and little by little gain confidence.

HOW?

Place your mouse over the video and without clicking, you will be able to see the CC option for you to listen to the video and read the subtitles at the same time.

Think about this advantage / positive aspect: The possibility to replay, record and reflect while listening again to one's own production promotes the skill of self-assessment. (Mercado 2012) 

Voki is a free collection of customizable speaking avatars for teachers and students that enhances classroom instruction, class engagement, and lesson comprehension. Their user-friendly interface allows you to customize the look of your avatar with a click of a mouse. Simply, choose your head, clothes, and accessories. Give your Voki a voice, and then add a background. It's that easy! What's the fun in creating something that others can't see? They make it easy for you to share your Voki. Send a Voki email message to your friends or post it on Facebook, Twitter or your web site or Blog. Use it for teaching and learning, or just share a whacky message.

Watch this tutorials 

Official Voki Tutorial: How to Register for a Voki Account from Official Voki on Vimeo.

Official Voki Tutorial: How to Create Your Voki from Official Voki on Vimeo.

To download the Manual, please click here
Here you have another manual, please click here

Blabberize is a very easy application that allows you to speak through a picture. Students can manipulate the picture to say what they want it to say. Teachers have used this resource for quick projects such as having students retell a story, book reviews, explain a math or science process, create biographies. 

Watch this tutorial

Place your mouse over the video and without clicking, you will be able to see the CC option for you to listen to the video and read the subtitles at the same time.

You can download the PDF tutorial here

TASKS

1. Download the Voki instruction manuals and watch the tutorials.
2. Send me a message introducing yourself and telling me about how you feel  when speaking English. Use my e-mail account to send the Voki veronica73.arg@gmail.com
3. Choose a photo and then upload it onto Blabberize.
4. Record yourself answering this question: How do you feel when using technology in everyday life?
5. Please, send me the URL to my e-mail account veronica73.arg@gmail.com

DEADLINE: Monday 24th