Read Chapter 14 "Curricular Connections" in our book Podcasting for Teachers. One focus for ELL students is to learn English (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) - another is to succeed beyond learning English through demonstrating English language competencies across the curriculum. How may podcasting play a role in helping students achieve these goals?
Listen to the Podcast "Principle 1 of 5 Principles of Effective English Language Instruction." What is your reaction to this? Can you think of ways that podcasting might support this approach? http://ells.podomatic.com/ Write a reaction (approx. 250 words) for each of the above.
STUDENT RESPONSE:
1. I agree 110 percent with the author on his view about the writing process. Taking note that even with my advanced ELL students, writing persists on being difficult. The same students who have tackled the listening, speaking and reading aspects of the English language are still struggling to pen their thoughts, ideas, and reactions on paper. I have literally struggled with these bright students to edit and improve their writing. In spite of providing many helpful tools to cross this barrier like sparkling synonym lists, grammar reminder hints, and writing process pointers to facilitate their writing more easily. The problem as I see it, is that the students find the task of writing tedious, and boring even when I try to make the topic interesting. Another thing I keep in mind is that a lot of these children feel unmotivated because they feel they are unable to write. The task of expressing themselves correctly in writing is beyond their reach. Therefore, I constantly remind them that they are able to achieve anything they put their mind, and effort into. Motivation is key in my opinion. Once we can empower them through confidence in their ability to achieve, we mobilize them to action and to begin this journey. The ideas presented in this chapter are very interesting and worth pursuing. One thing already practiced at my Middle school is making presentations using Powerpoint. At the end of the year the students are given access to the computers, one thing they love, in order to accomplish this. The students work individually and are motivated to be creative once they are exposed to the capabilities of this software. These methods of instruction and task assignments, have proven to be very inspiring given the outcomes of their work. Working with students in other districts concerning real life events while interesting sounds like it would be difficult, but once again, worth giving it a shot. I am not sure however, if my students possess the emotional maturity to deal with writing about the events of Katrina, Columbine, etc. They barely can write a few lines about something far more simplistic, this task would be more appropriate for High School, not Junior High where I teach.
2. Chapter 14 of Podcasting for Teachers had some insightful suggestions I liked regarding the uses for podcasting in the classroom. I can think of no better way to turn on enthusiasm and motivation in our students than by combining the things kids most enjoy at that age: computer paraphernalia, the internet, music, showing off, and being creative. I found the ideas listed on page 213, very useful and exciting. In particular the task of interviewing family members followed by online uploading sounds very practical. That is an activity I intend on trying, now that I’m learning how to use podcasting in education. As for incorporating podcasting as part of my teaching strategy, I do see it as a reinforcement and extension to the classroom instruction that is well worth the effort. Students who are apt and really interested in quickly acquiring and perfecting their English ability will certainly benefit from this follow up activity. As a current educator, first as a substitute for several years, and now as a certified teacher, I am used to the conventional style of teaching. Teaching with these new methods will certainly take some adjustment and time to learn, prepare and organize. I also believe that every generation becomes more and more comfortable with computers. Each new generation of students is more computer literate than the prior. Bringing these new insights into teaching is the wave of the future, and will serve to improve our educational system and will also be well received by the children. Podcasting will contribute to the improvement of education by motivating kids in a way only new technology can inspire. This is central to learning, engaging students in their education. Ell’s in particular benefit from kinesthetic learning activities, and this approach is very much a “hands on“ approach that will support their learning and that they will very much enjoy to participate in.
3. This is a nice blog with regular updates by Tony, a college professor at the University of Tampa. This pod entitled, Five Principles for Effective Second Language Instruction was the first of a series that stirred interest for me in listening to the rest of the series. This first podcast of the series really only was about developing the first point: give English language learners many opportunities to read, write and listen to and to discuss oral and written English text expressed in a variety of ways. This first point is about “creating a language rich environment” in the author’s own words. Podcasting enables this by providing a new exciting avenue for the student to read in English on a blog or website or podcast where activities such as class assignments, homework, extra credit work, special projects, announcements and tests can be posted. There can be assignments centered around reading things like online poems, short stories, news, and different types of passages all posed on the blog, website or podcast. This new innovative approach to teaching English also supports writing. Students can be given writing assignments which can be typed and posted online by the students. Additionally, students can listen to dictation online and assigned tasks based on the reading. Tasks such as answering questions about the reading, and expressing their own thoughts and opinions about the readying can be used to support language development. Clips that can be posted on a podcast for listening online and, or later downloaded include, but are not limited to songs, short stories, class lectures, interviews, and assignments. Any form of communication, be it reading, or listening, can be accompanied by an assignment that supports writing, and speaking. Podcasting provides many stimulating opportunities for language to be explored, practiced and perfected in all modes, listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
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