These new technologies are very easy and intuitive to use which readily lends themselves to language learners. They can make videos, record themselves on their cell phones and then put it together for a finished product. I have often encouraged my students to use their audio recorders on their cells so that they can hear themselves talk. They can reflect on their recordings and make adjustments if needed. They can also share these recordings with the other students. The possibilities are endless if you have the time.
In the YouTube article the author says
"What do the digital natives want? Much of what they want educationally relates to their growing interest in and use of Web-based technologies. Prensky (2001) presents the following list of digital natives’ wants for education:
2. To be able to multi-task
3. To have hands-on activities
4. To have graphics before text
5. To have random access to information
6. To be networked socially
7. To play games rather than do serious work
8. To have frequent rewards
The problem with meeting these educational needs is the disconnect between what the digital natives want and what many teachers are able to provide." While I agree that is what digital natives want this doesn't really prepare them for the adult working world. While we might get some of this in short doses the majority of our working lives are not hands on, game like, socially networked projects full of graphics with frequent rewards. We are moving away from having self control and being able to handle delayed gratification. Our student's stamina for sticking with a project, task or even a long test question is slowly being eroded away with the ideas that they have to have it in a bullet point, picture or make it obvious to the reader who just skims the information. It is not preparing them for the word we live in.
At the school I work at, we are audio recorders that the classroom teachers use during stations. Students are able to record themselves while reading and can listen back to how they sound. I use it in my classroom for self-assessment. I agree with you on the problem that digital natives face. The technology in the real world costs a lot of money. That's the biggest thing I have learned as a new teacher fresh out of college. iPads and other devices are expensive. These digital natives are going to have to learn to adapt these circumstances.
ReplyDeleteYes, podcast is more than a MP3 audio file. Podcast or vodcast can make subscribers more autonomous in learning languages. As you mentioned, even in classroom, teachers can have students create their podcast for assigned topics. Creating podcast or vodcast would involve having learners actively practice target language in various modes of skills such as preparing manuscript (writing), discussing outline or ideas with peers (listening and speaking), and finding resources (reading), to name a few. On the one hand, some teachers might be concerned about their limited proficiency in technology such as how to create podcast or vodcast. However, I don’t think it will be a big challenge because the digital natives will get to know how to do it quickly by googling.
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