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Benefitting from Technology in the Classroom

This week I focused on articles that show how both students and teachers can benefit from the use of technology in the classroom. The article I explored showed how teachers, students, and even parents can benefit from the use of technology in the classroom. 

One of the main focuses of the article is the ease with which students can access information and different sources of information. With the click of a mouse or the touch of a screen students can access information from sources all over the world. This can be especially beneficial for students looking to learn another language as they can practice conversation in their foreign language with a tutor who lives in the country of origin of that language. 

Another benefit of technology in the classroom is that it can remove the ability for peer judgment. In the middle school setting, being viewed as "cool" is the top priority for many students. When students struggle with a concept or with the ability to fluently speak the common language, they risk judgment from their peers. I have seen this cause a lowering of confidence in ESL students and unwillingness to participate in verbal discussions. With the use of a discussion board, I have noticed that these same ESL students who avoid participating in verbal discussion, light up when they have the ability to write and proofread their discussion before sharing it with the rest of their class. 


Seeing responses like this from my quiet, shy ESL students make me want to find even more avenues for these students to comfortably express their thoughts and beliefs and truly become part of the classroom discussion. Technology has benefited my classroom and my ESL students and I am sure it has benefited you as well. Please share in the comments some ways technology has benefited your ESL students in your classroom!

Team TechTree. (2017, May 1). How Teachers and Students Benefit from Technology. Retrieved from http://www.techtree.com/content/features/12798/how-teachers-students-benefit-technology.html

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 4, 2017 at 3:58 PM

    Technology is a great tool for the classroom in so many aspects. Especially, as you brought up, for students who may be self-conscious or a bit shy. The amount of resources and people that can be reached at the click of a button is fascinating. With this ease of access needs to come caution as well. We can utilize and create lessons and assignments that make great use of the internet and devices, but must always stress safe and acceptable usage practices. As I dive further into learning more about technology and integration into the classroom, there seems to be more and more negative points that as educators we must be aware of. Alas, the cons DO NOT outweigh the immense positives that can come from technology incorporation! I look forward to hearing more about the way it is used in your classroom setting!

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