Asia TEFL 2009

Hands-on session is impossible!
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Effective integration of technology in classroom instruction:

There are numerous web-based tools available that can be utilized for educational purposes, including learning management systems (LMS), blogging platforms, social networking/messaging services, photo/slide/video sharing sites, and online quiz and survey builders, and an increasing number of teachers are becoming interested in or have already started integrating these tools in classroom instruction. Those interested, but uncertain or not yet confident about incorporating some newer technologies into their lessons and activities, may be wondering how beneficial it can be, if it is too time-consuming, where they should start, or what particular tool(s) they should choose.

This workshop will provide those undecided with an opportunity to try out some of these web tools so that they can see what teaching/learning activities are enabled or facilitated, and examine if/how these technology-enhanced activities fit into their curriculum or teaching context. Participants will experience how these tools can facilitate frequent interaction, instant feedback, and effective sharing of students’ work. Sample activities taken from the presenter’s classroom practice will illustrate how the teacher can adapt particular tools differently in different contexts, including a grammar course held in a traditional classroom setting and a TESOL course or others using a computer lab.

In addition to hands-on experience using and preparing some of these technology-enhanced activities, issues related to learner characteristics, such as accommodating different learning needs, getting/keeping all students active in their learning, and preparing weaker students for self-paced study will be addressed. Resources and activities for this workshop will be managed through an LMS (Moodle). (249)

Mari Yamauchi teaches English and TESOL at Kobe Kaisei College. Her research interests include teaching EFL to Japanese university students, developmental education, cross-linguistic studies of tense and aspect and written text analysis. (32)
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Originally posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009