Using Innovative Teaching Techniques and Technological Tools to Teach Grammar Points in Spanish and How They Increase Student Engagement By: Josie Fischer Presented by: Savannah Workman

Abstract Teaching grammar E-cards Voki Comics and comic strips Goals Better engage students

Background Foreign language anxiety Technology provides level of comfort “If they [students] can see how language study corresponds to their own activities, it may stimulate their desire to learn as much about language as possible.”-Jared Lewis

Things to Consider When incorporating technology into language classroom consider… Appropriateness for skill Usefulness of tool Necessity of traditional methods

E-cards Kisseo-tarjetas Focuses on writing In-class lab work Use with particular grammar point Send e-cards to teacher for grading

Benefits Initializing writing with beginner student Targets specific skill Better used with beginner language students

Voki Focus on communication Students create avatar and give own voice Students record and speak through avatar

Benefits Almost 100% completion rate in study Shy students felt more comfortable Emphasis on specific aspects of grammar Good for short speaking assignments Allows students to create “alter-ego”

Comics Students use to integrate learned information Comic generating site Comics introduced after use of traditional methods Students create own 3 panel strip Example created in class

Benefits Short and easy to read Not as overwhelming as reading dialogues Students felt pride in completion Students intimidated by drawing could use computer generated animation Boring and scary turns into relevant and fun!

Reflection Definite benefits to all three techniques Creative incorporation of technology Engaging activities Wide range of student participation Will definitely be using some of these in my own classroom one day!

Works Cited Fischer, Josie. "Using Innovative Teaching Techniques and Technological Tools to Teach Grammar Points in Spanish and How They Increase Student Engagement." International Journal for Cross- Disciplinary Subjects in Education 2.2 (2012): Web..