TIFLE Mini Project 3

Teaching with Technology Philosophy Statement

In my four years of experience as a teacher, and more specifically, two years as a Spanish teacher, I have discovered that the key to educating well is to never stop learning. Living in the technology age, this idea takes on a whole new meaning—from e-mail to instant messaging, video conferencing to wikis, keeping up with new developments in teaching with technology could be a full-time job. But just as important as learning about up-and-coming resources is incorporating them correctly into one’s general teaching philosophy. The desire to entertain and “wow” one’s students (and even one’s self) with new-found skills and gadgets can sometimes be more distracting than engaging: “Too often in North American classrooms today, increasingly sophisticated technological machinery is used for trivial purposes for want of a coherent instructional and social vision to drive it.” (Cummins and Sayers, 1995, p. 120). It is my goal to constantly strive to use technology to enhance, not replace, my teaching style.
In terms of my goals within the classroom, I strive to provide my students with a comfortable and engaging atmosphere in which to learn and share ideas. Teaching foreign language, with all of its diverse applications, I am constantly working towards a balance between teacher-fronted instruction and communicative student-to-student interaction. I try to set an example with my enthusiasm and good-humor about the challenges of language learning, relating my personal experiences and trying to relate with my students. I constantly remind them of how far they have come and what real-world consequences their language learning can have in their everyday life. Beyond grammar, cultural knowledge, respect and sensitivity are a key part of what I hope my students will take away from their classroom experience.
It is this philosophy that I intend to complement with the integration of educational technology. For example, from the Cultura Project , one can see that the Internet is a great tool that can be used to promote virtual interaction in the target language and give students first-hand experience speaking to people from other cultures and countries, without the financial and time constraints associated with study abroad. This type of real-world application of language is something that the Internet, in the way that it closes the communicative gap between cultures, can offer. In my own classes, I have used websites, on-line articles and cultural e-mail exchanges (“key pals”) to give students access to the foreign culture. I use PowerPoint, video, digital photos to engage their interest and aid them in grasping concepts and promoting cultural awareness. Discussion boards are on-line class-related polls are used to encourage communication and community outside of the classroom.
As a result of my Technology in Foreign Language Education course, and subsequent experimentation within the classroom, I have learned and continue to learn about the possibilities that technology has to offer. I have also learned, however, that technology should in no way altogether replace more “traditional” methods. For example, PowerPoint can be incredible useful in presenting students with photos, quick lists, charts, and even animation that is memorable and visual. However, the chalkboard is still an invaluable tool for working out "language problems" and conjugations, so that students can view the actual process. I am aware of and careful with the problems that using too much technology can present, like eliminating face-to-face interaction and good, old fashioned pen-and-paper writing. In some circumstances, it can be isolating to students who are less “technologically literate”; it can also be time consuming and frustrating when not functioning properly. Practice, and a backup plan, is necessary.
In conclusion, my philosophy on teaching with technology is similar to my philosophy on teaching—I strive to be engaging, relevant (in terms of real-world application), and communicative. Keeping up with technological advances is key—the more time passes, the more computer literate our students will be. And “meeting them where they are” has obvious rewards: technology can be an interesting, interactive and extremely motivating tool. But also key is experimentation—finding specific applications that enhance and contribute to one’s own goals as a teacher.