"Brave New Digital Classroom..." Chapter l Review

This is my first post to a blog :)...
This chapter has been very interesting so far.  I have learned new vocabulary words:

• ubiquitous 
• veritable
• monolithic 
• circumlocution    
• dogged focus  

Chapter 1 explains the benefits of technology used to teach a foreign language and reminds us that they provide the tools used within the use of a textbook and activities. In the absence of traveling abroad, technology can bring the culture, pronunciation, "feel", art, literature, music and connection through on line discussions to the 21st century learners.  

This is the first time I have read an author say that "our nation is slowly breaking out its English-only dream." I am not surprised as I heard the census reporters say they counted more minority babies in 2010.

CMC was introduced to me; synchronous chatting and want to learn how this really helps our language learners as I see multiple 21st century college students using this while studying at the USF library.  I already know about distance language learning but would like to know how to guide a person to this because there is a student in our on-line class that would like to learn Spanish.   I would like to help her using this technology to foster and engage her curiosity.

I was amazed to learn that our college students "barely reach FSI's lowest threshold requirements for achieving proficiency" as compared to FSI's estimated 700 - 1200 hours.  The chapter explained well how students can achieve proficiency through increasing target with the foreign language, going to the region where the language is spoken, and using technology in the absence of studying abroad.

I want to learn how to have the critical competence and a rhetorical competence and not just the simple computer functional competence as mentioned on Preface xv for my future foreign language students.


Learning how to create activities that contain adequate pedagogical planning was encouraged.  I want to produce above and beyond results and how to create these graphics, photos and sounds through our PowerPoints and presentations. 

I am a digital immigrant not afraid to make mistakes and look forward to incorporating new technologies (also using music) into our assignments in this classroom and soon into the curriculum I will be expected to create and/or follow.

Linda McKeighen- a new 2011 CALL practitioner

I was practicing with adding photos.  I tried to put them all in a row up on the top and one at the bottom.  Next time.  This is Lorita, she is from Honduras, she is now 32 years old.  The Guatemalan sawdust carpets were taken by me back in the 80's.