In this final section, Vance describes the importance of teachers modelling technological innovation to other teachers. Vance also gives some technology tips. Vance also underlines the need for teachers to be playful and exploratory with new technology.
Vance speaks to the importance of community of practice when teachers want to innovate and apply new learning technologies. As the father of Webheads and Webheads in Action, Vance has demonstrated that his approach to online community building works.
Vance Stevens,a pioneer in computer-assisted language learning since the 70’s, and Rob McBride, LearnIT2teach Project, in conversation in March 2012 at TESOL Philadelphia. Vance has taught TESL extensively at the university level in the USA and the Middle East. Thousands of TESL professionals know him as the originator and the animator of Webheads, a community of practice for instructors wanting to integrate technology into their
This podcast was recorded at the TESL Canada 2012 Conference shortly after the official launch of Tutela.ca, Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s national repository for settlement language training. The podcast features Pascal St-Jean, one of the site administrators and core developers. Pascal provides a brief history of Tutela, an overview of what the site offers, strategies being used to build an online community and how being
In this episode, Dr. Ken Beatty provides insights into the benefits of using technology from both the teachers’ and learners’ perspectives. Dr. Beatty makes practical suggestions, and he offers advice to the many teachers who would like to do more with educational technologies, but say they don’t have time to learn them. Dr. Beatty is a Professor of Computer-assisted Language Learning at Anaheim University. He
Teachers can act as ‘change agents’ by leading efforts to integrate CALL in their program. But this can be a dangerous path if you become known as the techie teacher, and then are relied on for technical support. Teachers in that position should be rewarded by administrators, but they should also try to teach skills to other teachers and students. Teachers need to know a
Technology skills for teachers are becoming more and more in demand. Building your tech skills enhances your marketability. Teachers learn best from each other. Teachers collaborating to learn new skills is a real plus. Hiring a teacher with tech skills can improve a program as she can be a model for others. A program might start the process of change and innovation with a specific
Dr. Phil Hubbard is the third computer assisted language learning expert we met with at TESOL Philadelphia in March 2012. He is a senior lecturer in Linguistics at Stanford University and a widely published and admired expert in the role technology plays in language teaching. As well, Phil was one of the principal authors of the TESOL Technology Standards. This is the first of a
r. Greg Kessler is Associate Professor of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in the Department of Linguistics and Director of the Language Resource Center at Ohio University. He teaches CALL teacher preparation and research methods courses. His research addresses CALL teacher preparation, teacher and student language use in collaborative constructivist language learning, the role of students and teachers in innovative pedagogical contexts, student and teacher
In the second part of a conversation with Rob McBride, Deborah Healey explains how teachers can easily integrate technology into their practice. Tools as accessible as word processing or simple photo editing programs can be new and powerful avenues for language experience. The new ways we can do things are very empowering for teachers and learners. The Internet is a powerful medium for finding useful
Deborah Healey is a senior instructor at the University of Oregon and a CALL educator with an international reputation for thoughtful and incisive work. This seven minute podcast is part one of a two part conversation with Deborah. In conversation with LearnIT2teach team member Rob McBride at TESOL Philadelphia 2012, she explains why teachers have a responsibility to engage their learners with technology. Deborah also
In conversation with LearnIT2Teach team member John Allan, Professor John Sivell of Brock University gives general guidance and useful tips on teaching reading using online and other resources. Professor Sivell answers questions regarding selecting and adapting materials and improvising extensions using material sourced online. Wikis and other collaborative tools can play a very useful role in developing reading materials for ESL classes. Specific sources for
