Langer de Ramirez, L. (2011). Why
use Web 2.0 tools with ELLs? In Schrum, L. (Ed.), The best of Corwin:
Educational technology for school leaders (129-138). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Summary
Web 2.0 tools allow students to find
and create information alone and with others.
For English Language Learners (ELL), these tools extend opportunities
for practice beyond school hours and provide anonymity for students
uncomfortable communicating in front of their peers. Consistent with goals outlined for
Partnership for 21st Century Skills and TESOL Standards, web tools
integrate social communication, academic communication, and technology skills
for all students. Understanding how to
communicate safely on the internet is a subject belonging in schools. Technopanic
should thus be kept under control so as not to create a barrier to learning
with technology, disenfranchising digital native students.
Reflection
When I taught BioWriting several
semesters ago, my co-instructor and I required that our students keep a blog,
updating at least three times a week.
Our purpose was to follow the advice of many established writers – to
write, write, and write. We had several
ELL students in the course and at the time, I did not consider how the
assignment might be of particular benefit to them. While their blog posts were never long, I
learned things about my ELL students that rarely spoke in class. One student in particular had this to say in
his blog Derek cannot write:
This is the last blog required in the class and
probably the last one forever. Look back what I wrote here and find most things
I talked are stupid and boring. I can't say my writing improved a lot in the
past few months. But I am sure that I can express my feelings more fluently
now. Maybe the word I chose is not the best in certain cases. Maybe the grammar
still has some problems. Maybe not everybody can understand what I rambled
here. But I am still proud of what I achieved and accomplished. (Derek)
Me too.
If you look at my blog post about this chapter, you will see that I was not a proponent for this type of use for ELL exclusively http://letslearnwithoudaisy.blogspot.com/2013/01/chapter-7-reflection.html - but you definitely brought to the table an effective use of this type of activity with ELL students. So to relate to my blog post - why do you think that this student, Derek, did not talk in class but was more willing to express himself in his blogs. Do you think that this helped him in the long run become a better communicator in our culture? Did he get any benefits that will help him converse in public settings or only skills that helped him with his writing skills?
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your point about comfort with computer-mediated communication while still lacking the confidence to communicate face-to-face.
ReplyDeleteI think that students learning English can often be perceived by their inability to communicate rather than their identity as a person. For instance, I never would have known how funny Derek can be without his blog.
Because I got to know Derek in a space where accent and rate of speech was not an issue, we began to have much more meaningful conversation in person.
I think that using the computer to help students get to know each other as people and not as "someone who can't understand me/who I can't understand" will facilitate friendships that will ultimately increase proficiency of English in face-to-face conversations.
So, Derek had a space where he could take the time to think and express himself as a person; something that we didn't always have time to do in class. He could explore idioms and jokes while I got to know him outside of class in such a way that made our in-class conversations more meaningful. In this way, his cultural, verbal, and written conversation improved.
I am just starting this evening on what will be a long trek through blogs to expand my perspectives. I think, then, it is interesting that the first one I have read is one with such personal connotations and such an astounding demonstration of effectiveness. If I wasn't sold on technology as a potentially effective outlet for the ELL to express themselves and become more self confident, I am now.
ReplyDeleteI still can see how it might not benefit all students, but this example tells a powerful tale and I am glad you have shared it.