ListServe: Effects of Foreign Language Budget Cut from 2011 budget

1st Post:  Regents exams are being cut this year.  Even thought it costs only $700,000 to fund this assessment, a bar was set for these students in a state that recognized the importance of learning languages.  We, as a nation, receive so much more value from this small amount of money.  Who are the victims:  the students and future communities. We need to be able to communicate with our neighbors, negotiate in business and be prepared with security for our nation.  Then there are the potential friends of the world we will not meet.  Go to this radio interview to hear comments and opinions. 


http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wxxi/news.newsmain/article/6650/0/1812593/Education/Budget.Cut.Victims.Foreign.Language.Regents.Exams

2nd Post:  Because of the 2011 $1 billion cut, foreign language classes will no longer fall under the class size amendment.  Florida foreign language teachers can expect more students in their classes in 2011.  This was not a good idea even though Florida voters chose this because it took away stability from the local school system.  It makes it law everywhere and takes away the flexibility from a principal or school district.

Chapter 4 Review: CMC

This chapter gives a clear distinction and all the benefits between real time, synchronous (SCMC) and delayed time,  asynchronous (ACMC) collaborative interactions through network-based language teaching.  I can appreciate the author sharing that the use of this learning strategy does not stimulate the process of SLA better than the face-to-face interactions with a teacher.

Next, we learned about first and second generation CMT tools.  First generation includes e-mail, electronic mailing lists, and discussion forums where second generation includes all of the above plus wikis (a Hawaiian word) and blogs.

Listserves impressed me when they are directly accessed through our internet because I am guilty of not checking our USF BlackBoard as often as my Gmail account.  I would like to see Voice Board working as I feel it will help me teach proper pronunciation to my ELL students. Maybe I am wrong because maybe they are just for assessment and testing.

I have an ELL grad student that I make him iChat with me so he practices his writing discourse.  I know this helps his oral discourse immensely.   

I am going to go to our iTeach Lounge at USF and see if I can see task based learner learner CMC, Voice Board, and SkypeCast (iChat) programs work.

"Power to Learn" Website

Hats off to the Web designer of this site!  I felt like it had all the contents of a university classroom to cover!  I was amazed and surprised to see so much technology information covered on this site for both parents, teachers, and administrators (and viewers!).  I forwarded it to a few of my friends in the education field and described as such: 

"This site shows a variety of products and services specially designed for education.  It shows a cable vision educative commitment where students, teachers, and administrators can refer to for free technology programs that will enhance any students knowledge and learning.  It offers access to FREE digital cable, FREE high speed internet, Optimum Voice and actually have a regional representative to answer any questions in a few different languages.  I was impressed there was an "Español" link that will further reach our Hispanic population. 

Chapter 3 Review: CALL and Its Evaluation

Interesting chapter.  Difficult to follow unless you google ever program to catch on.  I can see why, "the Internet is the central focus of CALL because of its prominent role in today's FL classroom and in the lives of the students."  We have 21st century learners and I agree that teachers need to get fully involved in evaluating CALL materials.  I feel they have a professional responsibility to seek out and select what they consider to be the best set of CALL learning materials for their students in order to stimulate L2 development. I went to CALICO Journals and found that you have to pay $5 for an article. I am interested to see how the CALL software will fit with my teaching strategies and the learning environment for my students.  I looked up Tell Me More Pro, ASR, ITS, Hot Potatoes, and Moodle and found that I have A LOT to learn.  I noted a Bingo game a blogger/teacher had created in Hot Potatoes and after shadowing a Spanish teacher, I remember how much the students LOVED to play this game.

I recall the "CALL platform wars." I had one in my home when I wanted to buy a PC and lived in a Mac home!  I was told they would disown me.  I learned quickly what the differences and advantages were in the platforms.

Interesting to see how the Internet was first developed in the U.S., but the FL programs were rampid in Germany and Russia (PLATO project).

Lastly, I learned that Bringham Young University developed the earliest nonlinear programs to stimulate adventures in Spanish-speaking countries to force students to become involved in the storyline by making choices that branched off in different directions. Having been brought up in Latin America, I was so surprised to see so many young Mormon missionaries speaking rather well in Spanish in such a short time.  They are given 2-year assignments to evangelize Mormonism and are sent to Latin America.  They certainly were far away from home.

Langwitches

LANGWITCHES

The distribution of audio or video files through podcasts is described. We then download these through iTunes. I was first exposed to podcasts through Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale.  I had moved away from my wonderful church and soon found out I could listen to Pastor Bob on podcasts.  My second exposure has been to complete our Case Study 3 and upload each part to our Podcast.  I know that my students will be excited to create their own podcasts in class.

 I looked into the books and threads introduced by Dan Schmit and the instructions are very easy to follow. 

The National Educational Technology Standards (NES) are listed so all teachers will have the technology standards that have been created for us in order to address the needs of our 21^st century learners.  Teachers are encouraged to take opportunities to learn available technology, plan curriculum with it, and support the diverse needs of learners.  Goals and standards for the students are also listed.

A good example of the standards and goals are being implemented in a Hillsborough charter school called A.T.Jones Charter in Tampa.  They have an iPad, Mac Laptop, and a Promethean Educational Boards.  I am excited to visit the school next week.

Chapter 2 Review: The WEB

The World Wide Web started in the United States for 1) military reasons (ARPANET and MILNET) and 2) empower humans to think better on the road, at work, or at home.  I was astounded to see the growth in the usage by billions of people.  I was also not amazed to see that all users prefer to surf the web using their native language.  It was interesting to find out that the web gives all people an uncontrolled channel to project their own voice and promote their view.

The creation of the internet is very well explained.  I got a bit lost but was happy to understand the difference between company's addresses when they have the .org and .com. I would like to review the protocols during our Elluminate on Thursday.  I am a complete novice at this.

I would like to know if our professor, Dr. Rogers, or our iTeach Lounge has a copy of the IALLT with the detailed description of the services that language lab personnel should provide so that when I confronted with the vast labs in my new school setting, I will know what to ask for. 

Cyber-guru's were introduced.  This is a very important support contact to have.  JavaScript and plug-ins are new words for me. I can appreciated the authors comment when he wrote that the technical information is not what will help a teacher use technology in their room without a clear pedagogy.  Meaning, the TEACHER is the most crucial link. 

Since the internet is the medium that our students understand, pay attention to, and like to use, it is essential and imperative, I believe, that teachers and administration learn to use this method because the very nature of the internet is to encourage student-centered learning rather than teacher-centered learning.  Our students will not only use this to learn content but learn to use this in business and diplomatic contexts.

2nd Blog-Google Search for Techno-friendly website for foreign

www.eca.com.ve/hsclassweb/TerezaGonzalez

Ms. Gonzalez is an IB Spanish teacher in a high school.  She has a PowerPoint presentation that shows her class how to use technology to learn Spanish.  It is clear, to the point, short and very easy to understand.  She covers photostory/movie maker where she says her students love to create videos that cover the units they have studied.  She uses comics and crossword puzzles on line to retell stories, practice vocabulary and enhance comprehension.  She uses Microsoft Publisher to help her students learn to create brochures, newsletters and a magazine.  She also teachers her students to create Wiki's and Facebooks for group activities.  The PPT is only 6 slides long and can be found on her webpage or go to:

teresagonzalez.escuelacampoalegre.wikispaces.net