The aim of this site is to encourage FFL teachers to think about effective ways of implementing CALL in their programs. It is not my intention to profess to any expertise in this area but simply give my own thoughts and ideas, along with many "tried and true" examples of implementation.
Points to consider:
* Technology is yet another teaching tool, just like CD's, Textbooks, Video's etc
* Technology is not intended to replace your current practices but simply to complement and supplement your existing resources.
* As language teachers, technology can provide the most up-to-date information on a variety of topics.
* Our students are part of the technological era and it is viewed by them as an integral component of their lives.
* From the earliest of age, students are exposed to sophisticated visual forms of entertainment - videos, television, interactive computer and console games as well as other forms of verbal communication such as real time chat and sms messenging. With this in mind, no wonder it appears to be more and more difficult maintaining interest when using only a text and tape in the langauge classroom!
* We have all heard comments made by language teachers (in Australia),that is is even more difficult to have enough students choosing languages as an elective. In many schools, boys are very under represented in language classes. I do believe that enhancing our programs with effective technology can be more appealing to students and influence their subject choices.
* Don't jump on the band wagon - using a computer may not be the most effective way for various aspects of your program - don't succumb to CALL fever!
* As a teacher, you have developed the skills which will allow you to reflect, evaluate and adapt how technology can best serve you........ NOT how you can serve technology.
* As curriculum time is precious, it is important that your language lesson does not become a technology lesson - some technical time may be required, teacher discretion is needed.
* Planning is essential....... booking a computer room and taking your class there to surf the net and find information about French regions does not constitute a good lesson. You must find appropriate sites beforehand and then allow students to only access these sites. Give guidelines about the required task - perhaps a set of questions is the most effective way.
* Make sure expectations about student behaviour in the computer lab is understood by all.
YOU CAN DO IT............. TAKE THINGS SIMPLY AND SLOWLY......... SET AN ACHIEVABLE TARGET....YOU MAY JUST WANT TO START WITH ONE ASPECT OF TECHNOLOGY IN ONE CLASS IN TERM 1 AND INCREASE AS YOU FEEL MORE CONFIDENT.
