Reaction to Chapter 8 of Computer Education for Teachers

I found the section on the development of hypermedia/hypercard/hyperstudio minimally interesting as they always seemed like antiquated technology to me. I have more experience with PowerPoint and the discussion in the chapter about PowerPoint interested me a bit more. The most interesting part of the chapter was the discussion about negative aspects of using hypermedia in the classroom. Later in the chapter, one software program, ImageBlender by Tech4Learning was described which I'll remember for possible future use. ImageBlender allows students to create stories which can then be posted on a website. As I start to work on web-based activities, I'll probably experiment with this type of project.

One point about the paragraph on Music Technology. While the text does mention the iPod and other music-based formats, it doesn't mention some of the new uses that some teachers are finding for language learning using them, such as pod casting (Click here for one explanation, and here for another)

Here's a description of a presentation to be held at JALTCALL 2005 in June in Japan. JALTCALL is Japan Association for Language Teaching Computer Assisted Language Learning.

RYAN, Kevin
Showa Women's University (JAPAN)

Time: Saturday, 11:50 to 12:30 in Room P113

Digitally Editing Sound for Portable Listening Activities

Tired of using the language lab? Want your students to have the freedom to do their listening on the train? Use free software (Audacity) to edit sound clips to create short listening activities that can then be ported to a cheap MP3 player and archived on the web for easier access. Look at what commercial software can do that the free one can't. Cover the process of planning, production, archival and downloading to the player. Look at different ways these clips can be used for individual study and class-related work. Format exercises to make them more portable and transportation friendly. Look briefly at mixing (and even mashing) commercial broadcast with self-produced material. Find out about Pod-casting. See a few instances of adding interactivity to the clips by using software like Hot Potatoes and Quandary and make it available on the web. Ask about doing this for cell-phones.

and here's another talking about mobile phones and ESL instruction:

"In Integrated CALL, students will no longer view CALL as a special activity undertaken in separate computer labs but, rather, will use it when and where needed to support learning activities. We present mobile technologies as an important part of Integrated CALL, describing two projects that aim to make mobile technologies ubiquitous, useful tools in the language learner’s toolbox. The first project is Poodle, a course management system (like Moodle) with the unique feature of being easily accessed on mobile phones. We present our ongoing experience creating and using in classes Poodle’s various functions, which include quiz, forum (discussion board), real-time in-class polling, and distribution of educational materials (including web pages, video and Flash programs) -- all designed to be used on mobile phones."

To see the complete listing of presentations at this upcoming conference see http://jaltcall.org/conferences/call2005/presentationlist.php


Of course, these uses of technology weren't even technically possible when the author was writing her book! Now, instructors are using them to foster language learning and practice.