While some teachers embrace modern technology in the ESL classrooms and strive to incorporate it into their teaching, others resist the invasion of modern technology deliberately. Why...? To me, those are who have limited imagination of the effectiveness of the modern technology. Yes, I agree that anything new is always a big challenge, takes time and requires some skills to do so. It took me a while to start this blog, because I have never done it, and thought it would require some specific webmaster skills.
In my ESOL teaching, there are times that I need somebody to substitute me. Most common substitute teachers are who have years of traditional teaching experiences, and they prefer not to use my lessons plans which require using, to me simple, technology. For example, overhead projector, PP slides, or online interaction games etc.
I think they need to understand the difference of the effectiveness of using technology.
For example, rather than just showing a" blank check" and explaining to students how to fill it out, you can ,actually, demonstrate it by using software filling it out step by step, making changes to it, or doing other things.
What surprises me is those teachers do not seem to perform any desire to learn how to use technology.
I think if they'd tried to use computers in their teaching a few times, they would overcome the fear of touching computers.
Of course, there are various reasons that teachers reject using technology, but I thought my substitute colleagues may need some encouragement to use technology.
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Zura--I think you're right; it's always hard to try something new for the first time. I think teachers (maybe subs especially) also worry about how they'll look in front of the class. Trying something unfamiliar in that setting could be nerve-racking. I think that's why a class like this is so important. We get the chance to be exposed to and learn about new technologies, and also to practice with them, so we can hope to be more comfortable using them in teaching settings. I hope the colleagues you mention will also be positively influenced by their exposure to technology via your class!
ReplyDeleteHi, Zura. Having access to the internet in our classes at the Eastside Learning Center certainly is a luxury, especially when you want to show students what you are talking about by presenting one of your Powepoints or using youtube. A picture (on the internet) is worth a thousand words, and sometimes my miming is embarrassing:)
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