Video Games for EFL students

       This time I am going to talk about video games and how they can be used in a foreign language acquisition. EFL students can benefit greatly from the use of games, particularly as they acquire mastery over a new language. Using video games in the classroom can be a wonderful way to motivate students. Nowadays it is very difficult to find a child who doesn't enjoy computer games. Despite the fact that adults take games as isolating and disruptive, youths find them exhilarating, fun. Besides they can play with their friends and find out who is the winner. 

   " If you can  hold the attention of children, you can educate them.” (Prensky, 2001).  This means that teachers should do their best to keep up with the new technologies, since for grasping today's childlren's concentration and requirements, they need to include digital technologies and be aware of the innovations constantly. Today's child's mind is shaped in such a way that old traditions are not appropriate for their needs and interests and their approach towards the learning is different. But  there are some teachers who believe that the use of the technology has a negative impact on  students,  especially video games ( Guerrero, 2011). I disagree as students become more creative, dynamic and attentive due to video games. But there is a danger as well, since students can find many other violent things that are not appropriate for their age. However if they are playing at home parents  can check whether the environment is safe for their children or not. Moreover they can put limits on the quantity of time children can play these games. 

    Video games also should be chosen according to student's level of proficiency and interests. I think it would be better to include various types of games as each of them develops different skills. Video games shouldn't be too easy, as simple games don't give them a chance to fight. It is very uncomplicated for them and they get tired of them quickly. 

    Thus nowadays critical thinking, creativity and the skill to assess and manage information have become very essential and it's obvious which kind of student we should create within our classrooms.Video games are one of those tools that should be applied for acquiring a foreign language.

   

image 1: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=video+games&hl=ru&sa=X&biw=1600&bih=749&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnslb&tbnid=gkI6CBmkqxML_M:&imgrefurl=http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/246/video-games-reduce-pain/&docid=t5DzZ_Gs6mxeNM&imgurl=http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/nviews/images/play5.gif&w=599&h

image 2: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=video+games&hl=ru&sa=X&biw=1600&bih=749&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnslb&tbnid=hK0-ierlN6JmYM:&imgrefurl=http://www.zaranyzerak.com/videos/mmc/mmcvidgames.html&docid=s453nQZImlpZAM&imgurl=http://www.zaranyzerak.com/videos/mmc/Video_Games_Title.jpg&w=640&h=480&

Digital story-telling and video production

     I have already talked about podcasts,  blogs, wikis and other computer-based tools. This time I am introducing digital storytelling and video production and their integration into a foreign language learning. 

     Digital story- telling gives us a chance to tell stories by utilizing computer-based tools. Most digital stories concentrate on a particular topic and include a specific attitude. British photographer, educator and digital storyteller, Daniel Meadows defines digital stories as "short, personal multimedia tales told from the heart." He maintains that the attractiveness of this form of digital expression is that these stories can be created by people everywhere, on any subject, and shared electronically all over the world. Nevertheless  it is evident from its name that digital stories usually involve  some mixture of images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and music. The length of digital stories can be various.  Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. As with traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic and contain a particular point of view. 

     I think it is a great idea to use digital stories in the classroom. When students make a movie or interactive slide show to tell their story, learning becomes personal. They improve their writing, speaking skills and show creativity.It becomes obvious that this  tool , like the previous ones that I turned to in my previous reflections, is very useful as it  develops students’creativity and promotes collaborative learning. With the help of digital stories students will not get bored and will be motivated since children like to use their imagination in everything and everywhere. The next advantage of wikis, blogs, podcasts as well as digital stories and videos is that they make students digitally literate which is not less important today. Besides they contribute to the students'engagement into the lesson.

      Integration of digital video technology into a foreign language learning  plays a key role nowadays. Today it is easier for students to make their own video and edit it the way they want. This approach to learning requires  students to  take responsibility for the progress of their own performance. It is very essential for students to have their  own production in L2 and with the help of digital video technology  they are able to do that. Video cameras give them an opportunity to create their own movies based on their preferable topics. They can do that individually or in groups. If they don’t have video cameras they can use their  cell phones and then get a high quality video by editing it. So moviemaking permits various concepts, topics, and cultural influences to encourage student collaboration and discussion. It enhances students’ autonomy, motivation, self-directed, independent learning.                                                                                                        

Thus  having  new technology in a classroom can motivate students and have  them  work collaboratively.

 

WIKIS

                                                        WIKIS

         

                                                                          What is a wiki?                        

   A wiki is a space on the Web where you can share work and ideas, pictures and links, videos and media — and anything else that comes to your mind. It can be reduced or edited by anyone with access to the page without any special technical knowledge or tools. Students and teachers can utilize it easily as there is a visual editor and a bunch of other tools that makes its handling simple. As a result the tool could be useful for collaborative and interactive writing. When we compare wikis and blogs we see that a wiki can be used in many of the same ways as blogs but wiki is more appropriate for use by a group for collaborative projects. A wiki has a far more open structure and allows others to modify  what one person has written.

        When we were given  homework where we were expected to work on the same task by continuing  the story I worked with great enthusiasm. It was very compelling and motivating for me. Wiki  was  new for me and it  gave me an opportunity to go beyond my imagination. I think that it is helpful to use a wiki for educational purposes since it  makes greater connections between old and new knowledge by permitting student-created structure for information and ideas. Moreover it increases engagement of all students.  Thus this tool allows learners to express their own ideas and develops their creative skills.

Podcasts for EFL learners

        Podcasts offer flexibility and mobility since they can be used at any place and at any time. Then besides  listening to podcasts students can also create them. Students can do it both individually and collaboratively.It is essential to utilize podcasts as an instructional tool both on campus and in distance learning courses. It would be great if podcasts were widely used in the Armenian setting.

    I think that podcasts work well especially with those students whose audio memory is more developed than visual memory. With students whose visual memory is more developed reading materials work better.

      Podcasts enhance independent learning and consequently learner’s autonomy. Podcasts could be best described as a unique blend of entertainment, relaxation and learning. The learner can adjust the volume of the podcast, can choose the place and the time of listening to it, and can revisit passages for as many times as needed. In the article " Recipe Exchange Podcasts for  EFL/ESL" there are lots of interesting activities which focused on the use of podcasts in language instruction. I would use some of them in my class as it would bring a refreshing air to the class. Secondly, it proved that one does not have to be static while listening to podcasts. One of the most essential advantages of podcasts is that  you can listen and simultaneously engage yourself in other occupations. However I am still uncertain as to how I would use the activities discussed in the article in my own class as it would depend on the level, age and number of my students.

The use of Technology in Education

      A Weblog is an easily created, easily updateable Website that permits an author to publish immediately to the Internet from any Internet connection. You can easily share your ideas and resources with a Web audience and people will  express their opinions about those ideas. It demands an interaction.  Blogs consist of reflections and conversations that are renewed almost every day. Research shows that blogging has a positive impact on students since it promotes analytical and creative thinking.  According to W. Richardson weblogs should be in an educational system. The early adopters of Weblogs in the classroom have demonstrated that blogs can strengthen and intensify learning. There exist various ways of using Weblogs which have many advantages for teaching and learning. One of them is a class portal Weblog, where the course curriculum, syllabus, class rules, homework assignments, etc. are distributed. It saves time and makes learning process easy. Another ones are E-Portfolio, Collaborative Space, School Website and so on.
        As for me I am not ready to introduce blogging to my own EFL class. In my country it is not a common tool being utilized in an educational system and I am not so proficient in using it either. Thus it will be threatening for me to use it without being able to run it appropriately. However it has many advantages for both teachers and students and I suppose that it's worth making it a part of an EFL  class. I would like to use  a class portal learning as it will give me a chance to control my class without trouble and I can create  a learning environment  for my students where all materials connected with our lesson will be available and they can simply find them whenever they want. It is also very helpful for parents as they can access class materials and can be informed when  new information about the class is posted.

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Digital Generation

   Today's generation of kids is raised in a media rich network world of infinite possibilities. Technology is with them everywhere. It is an aid for children to become literate by themselves.  It  can teach children almost everything. Parents and teachers play a great role in guiding  and showing their children  how to choose appropriate stuff  from the internet and to throw out garbage. They should be able to keep up with the pace. It means that they shouldn't not only be aware of  current things, but  they also should be able to use all that is going to be. Children learn from the Internet things that they can do in real life. They are learning, communicating, composing, exploring , socializing and expressing themselves  in a new and exciting way. Children want to be creative and technologies give them that chance. They want to use what they search and do great things with it, they don't want just to search.Children make a lot of movies with special effects, play various video games which helps to develop their creativity, conference by the Internet, work on a website trying to make people aware of  some dangerous or essential things and so on. These stories teach me that for children technology is more than a tool, it is a vital component of everyday life that frames their worldview.  The videos highlight the fact that it is necessary to integrate IT into education. As a TEFL professional in Armenia we have to admit  technology integration, hold it and take up the role of a facilitator. 

    Engaging students in the process of technology integration is very significant. This is the new language of the generation. It is impressive that some children possess such technology skills that they can   support  their teachers and others with technology problems. 

     People have various ways of getting knowledge. Those who are visual learners prefer to see after their teachers' explanation. Thus they go home and search for it in the Internet and it becomes more comprehensible  for them. 

    So the world is now "flat," according to New York Times columnist and author Thomas Friedman.

The world Is flat is a brief history of the twenty-first century that analyzes globalization. The title is a metaphor for viewing the world as a level playing field in terms of commerce, where all competitors have an equal opportunity. Employees from one organization are no longer working side-by-side inside the same building. Individuals from anywhere can compete with others from around the world.

     What does this mean for education? He refers to ten "flatteners": things that have enabled us to connect with the rest of the world much more easily than ever before. Events such as the fall of the Berlin wall, Netscape going public, and the new world of "technologies on steroids" -- cell phones, wireless devices, always being connected, and so on -- have made our world a new place.

     He warns that "what we learn today in school will be outdated by tomorrow” and therefore, the most successful people in the 'flat world' will be those who can adapt and learn quickly. The greater our curiosity and passion for learning, the greater chances we will have for success later in life."

    We have the power to make great steps with what we're given. The challenge will be how to take advantage of all this in the educational system, and try to make sure our classrooms are flat.

Dangerous Instincts

 

         The episode is about dangerous instincts and the author of the book "dangerous instincts" , Marry Elen O Toole expert on psychopathy and criminal behaviour, talks about it. It is not good when people trust their Gut instinct fully as it may be just the opposite especially when you are in danger.We can't measure, imrove it and we even don't know where it is situated. We use it to make life changing decisions and sometimes these decisions are good ones. However that is not because of Gut feelings, other factors play a greater role than just Gut instinct, as people more often make serious decisions not just relying on their sense. Besides we often decide based on the superficial indicators. For example people very often pay attention to the appearance of a person and due to that factor they can go for a walk with that person. There exist some mystical reasons for trusting somebody when you shouldn't do that. The author says that reading her book will be very useful as it is an aid to use some behavioural assessment for knowing and understanding whether the person standing in front of you is safe or not.  It is also very hazardous to walk along the street with our headphones on our ears or without visual attention to the surrounding. This takes place as people trust themselves a lot for the reason that they have never become victims of violent crimes and it seems to them that everything is going to be right. She brings an example of Guarrie Ridgeway, a sexual killer in USA, who was taking his victims by lorry. He has a good way of convincing people and his victims looking at him think that they are very good readers of people and he isn't going to harm them. There are many people, like Guarrie who are very persuasive and by using various convincing tools they can cheat. If the person is too persuasive you should take that into consideration as that may mean that somebody wants to cheat you by this way. Thus after reading this book you shouldn't be suspicious to everybody. It just gives actual tools that you can use to assess behaviour and personality , to read a situation more carefully , to ask the right questions and finally to make right decisions that will keep you safe. Of course I agree with the author that we shouldn't always trust our instinct, but as for me I can say that my instinct has never let me down.  I have made many life changing decisions by instinct which have turned to be right. May be this is just coincidence but the choice to trust your instinct or not is yours. So ask yourself the question '' should I trust my instinct'' and try to find the answer by the help of this book.