Giving direction to our efforts

It is clear that sometimes technology appears to be the perfect solution to our problems because it has the power to captivate the attention of learners. However, it is not what technology does, or shows. It is about a carefully design plan that instructs the learner towards his own success.
It is not enough to be a digital native to use and to instruct EFL-environments.
The XXI century teacher is a designer and architecture of technologically-enhanced language environments. It is a scientist that experiments his theories and ideas to solve the problems of the students in need. It is facilitator willing to spend his "free" time in a computer searching for new techniques, activities and methods that can lead him to improve his practical and theoretical background.
Definitely, being a tutor in the XXI century is not an easy task, but it is a very rewarding one.

Ariel Martínez S.

References.
Picture retrieved from: http://danielmaunick.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/day-five/

The CALL we must take

Hi friends! This week I had a great time reading about CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) and its impact in the speech recognition and analysis. Students now have a very reliable and priceless tool to overcome their pronunciation problems. Technology has come to enhance the contant and interaction that students have with their own learning experiences and expectations.
Incorporating more dynamic soures such as VLEs and LMS.

This week was really nice. I am really looking forward to my next 4th week.

Ariel Martínez S.

The ABCD....

I have to admit that this was my first time with this approach. I really liked it because it was very specific and descriptive in the way to set the strategies and steps to carry out a class. It was not a really easy task but I am sure I will do it better next time.

But what this ABCD approach? Let me help you...

INTRODUCTION TO ABCD world. So, what do you think? Would you like to get a bit more...

Interactive presentation.

The ABCD method does not come to solve the problems in language instruction but it definitely improves it.

Thanks.

Ariel Martínez S.

Main Issues

Knowledge is the fuel that moves and feeds the dreams and expectation of the future. If we want to be part of this event, it is necessary that we start discovering and transforming the world around us. Definitely, having the world in our hands could be a little frightening and challenging; however, it is in our hands the possibility to make this world a better place.

Knowledge should not be seen and treated like a secret that must be hidden from the rest of people. It is definitely a gift that must be shared. Indeed, that is the intention of this blog: Socializing ideas, themes, strategies that can help us grow as educators and human beings.

Using what is already there!

Internet is a vast and amazing source for ready-to-use materials. Let us start suggesting some good ones to improve the organic interaction between the student and his context.

I would start by suggesting two amazing websites. One is free and the other is not; nevertheless, it is worth every penny you invest. Trust me! Your students will be fascinated!

Open and free website: USA Learns.

Open but not free: Yappr

Give them a try and let me know.

Take care.

Ariel Martínez S.