Chapter 10

Three new things that I learned from reading Chapter 10 in our text:
1. I was thinking that it could be extremely difficult to integrate different technologies into English as a second language classroom.  However, there are multiple ways for integrate technology in this type of a setting.
2. I learned what language labs are and how they can be useful in the classroom.
3. Computer assisted language learning can help to enhance students' speaking and listening skills and can also enhance their interactions with their peers.

Two ways to integrate this information into the classroom:
1. I could use a tool such as Moodle or GoogleDocs in which students work together to help come out with the same end product such as a slide show presentation, a paper, etc.  Things like these would help create opportunities for distributed language learning, which is extremely important for students to work together and collaborate so they can use that skill down the road in their educational careers.
2. I love the idea of virtual field trips in both and ESL classroom and a regular classroom.  For an ESL student, it would provide the unique opportunity to go to a place where they may not get to go to normally.  For an English speaking student, it would also provide the opportunity to go to a place they would not normally get to go to, but it would also allow them to be immersed in a different culture for a short time.

One question I have about this information:
What are some negatives about using technology in an ESL classroom? I think that it could possibly get confusing for the students.

Chapter 9

Here are three new things that I learned from reading Chapter 9 in our text:
1. I sort of knew what the term "literacy" meant, but was not aware that there are so many different definitions and I absolutely did not know that the definition has been expanded so much.
2. I did not know any different ways to help students develop their literacy and now understand that there are multiple ways for students to develop literacy in the classroom.  Examples include: writing in blogs, video projects, and digital storytelling.
3. I had never heard of electronic outliners (which would have come in handy while writing my term paper junior year of high school), but now understand that they could be extremely useful for students in high school who are writing long papers, such as a term paper.

Two ways this information could be integrated into the classroom:
1. For projects having to do with literature, I could have my students map out their thoughts using concept mapping software.  This would help them learn how to organize their thoughts before they actually write them out in a formal paper or essay.
2. Interactive storybooks could be very useful (especially in an elementary classroom) because they have activities for the students to do, pieces of stories that the students can have read to them, etc.  This more interactive form of learning could be very helpful in instilling motivation in the students.

One question that I have about the chapter:
Some of the technologies mentioned in the chapter seem like they would be working towards taking over the teacher's job.  Is that true?  Is there a way to integrate these technologies without replacing the actual teacher in the classroom or diminishing their position?