 A look at five skills areas  A look at possible applications of educational technology

 Can technologies teach grammar?  Grammar-translation method  Oral-lingual ("Army method") approach to teaching languages. drill the basic grammar structures into the students.  Contemporary Technologies: ◦ Grammar check on Microsoft Word. ◦ Grammar drill software. ◦ "Track changes" option on Microsoft word makes it easier for teachers and peers to provide feedback.

 Students can use digital videos and mp3 files to "individualize" their learning experiences.  I.e. They can listen to the input as many times as needed in a convenient, e.g. digital format. It can be a very “patient” teacher.  Technologies: ◦ Youtube ◦ podcasts and vodcasts, many of which are available on iTunes university for example. ◦ portable MP3 players ◦ videoconferencing

 the communicative approach (communicative language teaching)  oral lingual method of teaching  Technologies: ◦ Skype and videoconferencing ◦ WIMBA voice board ◦ digital video and MP3 recorders ◦ iMovie  Advantages or Disadvantages? ◦ Within online communication, students from different cultures could get lost and feel alienated. ◦ Some students might possibly feel less pressure to communicate online. ◦ Why?

 Technologies, particularly for language teaching, can be promising in education  Possible advantages? ◦ Mobile devices and greater access to software such as WIMBA will leader to more possibilities to be exposed to different language learning experiences with regards to personal interactions, media input, guided practice, performance (class projects), and reflection / control over learning.  Possible caveats and/or disadvantages? ◦ Cost? ◦ Learning curves necessary to learn technologies? ◦ Good teaching still is a time-intensive endeavor  Any questions?  Thank you for listening!