Week 5 - assignment 1 - Games, Simulations, and Virtual Environments

Week’s 5 assignment 1 has to do with games, simulations and virtual environment.  We had to choose 2 and explain how I would incorporate them into my professional practice.

As we have seen throughout this weeks’ research there are many games, simulations and virtual applications on the market and that can be used to enhance adult education. The most important thing I have learned this week is that we as educators need to find out what will and will not work with our students.  We know that all students have their own needs and wants and we have to be able to try to accomplish meeting their needs and wants.  I believe that no matter what we use whether it be games, simulations or virtual environment, adult can learn from them all with proper guidance, ongoing feedback, and rules. 

The 2 technologies I would like to incorporate when teaching my adults the English language are: (1) Virtual Environment - Second Life - http://secondlife.com/

Virtual worlds is a learning environment in which teachers and students can interact with each other, while playing different roles and develop their own online identity (Lynch, 2002).

Second Life is leading in the 3D virtual world.  In this imaginary world one builds an avatar to your liking, you can travel anywhere you like, you can have beaches, buildings, people, cafes, mountains, stores, streets, etc. eat at the best restaurants, we can shop at the most expensive stores across the world, etc. One will have fun with people from all parts of the world, we can listen to live performances (music), we can play games, and we can even create a space for a virtual classrooms that are very similar to ‘real-life’ classrooms.  One can act out real life situations.   The use of Second Life with my adult learners will help with their communications, listening, speaking skills.

3-D virtual world provides students with immersive and interactive real-life communications with people around the world.  SL has opened many doors to learning a second language. Two ways of communicating within SL (1) text-based chat or (2) live chat.  Besides communication via, text messages and conversation via audio, avatars can also interact with each by using simple gestures, waving, thumbs-up or down.  Other things that students will benefits from (1) creating a strong environment, (2) opportunities for strong interaction and building communities (3) cooperation skills will be taught, (4) they will learn how to share (5) motivation, and involvement will increase and anxiety will decrease. One downfall is that they can be very costly (Hismanoglu, 2012).   

SL allows us to set up different scenarios to act out real life situations allow one to learn new words rather than just memorizing them.  A way to incorporate this is role-playing.  Example - I am waitress and student is customer ordering food. They will practice vocabulary words as well as learn new ones.

The second application would be games. http://www.eslgamesworld.com/.

 There are many games on this site that can be used for both adults and children. Games liven up and motivate students to want to learn.  Bonk (2009, p, 289) suggest that “as gaming experiences grow, today’s learners are seeking richer and more engaging educational experiences.” Games are used to test vocabulary, practice conversing, learn tenses, etc.  Games can be used before a lessons, during a lesson or even to take a quick break from lecture.  This site offers the following ESL games: Snakes and Ladders, Hangman, Spelling games, Wheel of Fortune, TV Games (Betting Game), Mazes, Memory Games, Matching exercises, Sequencing exercises, Picture Quizzes and more.

 

Thanks, hope everyone is having a great week thus far. 

Gracesinda

References

Bonk, C. J. (2009). The world is open: How web technology is revolutionizing education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

ESL Game World (2015).  Welcome to ESL Games World- Fun Games for ESL/EFL Lessons.  Retrieved from http://www.eslgamesworld.com/.

Hismanoglu, M. (2012).  Integrating Second Life into an EFL classroom: A New Dimension in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching.  Retrieved from http://www.ijonte.org/FileUpload/ks63207/File/09.hismanoglu.pdf

Lynch, S. (2002).  Preparing language teachers to teach in virtual worlds.  Retrieved from lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3470&context=etd

Week 4- Assign 1- Mobiel Learning Technology

Mobile Learning Technology

For this weeks’ assignment 1 we had to investigate the different mobile technologies available and chose 2 that we think could enhance adult learning.

What is mobile learning?  According to Park (2011) mobile learning (M-learning) refers to the use of handheld, portable and wireless devices that students can use when they are on the go.  M-Learning allows them to have access 24/7.  As we know mobile technology is playing a big part in the lives of many people (students, professors, business people, etc.).    There is a large rang of devices that one can chose from such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and e-book readers and much more.  All these devices connect users to the real world instantly, by accessing information and enabling interactivity with others.  

The 2 devices I want to focus on for this assignment is the smartphone and tablet (Samsung). I chose Samsung because that is what I personally prefer to use, as we know there are many name brands out there.  I prefer Samsung over Iphone because they are cheaper, most application on say the Galaxy (Google play) are free and on the Iphone (iTunes) you have to pay for each application, androids voice assistant types as you talk, works offline, as well can be activated hands-free, google maps is easy to use, I love there organizing apps, they let you put important ones on home screen and hide less important ones, there widgets are great, key board is much easier to use and understand, for example punctuation on the same screen as letters, and much more. Iphone to me are more about style and appearance than performance.   Androids phones in general have more customization, with emulators, widgets, custom ROM, etc.  We all have our preference, we need to use the one we feel most comfortable with. 

Many would say that smartphones and tables are the same, but really they are not.  They each have their own function.  Tablets are portable, while smartphones are pocketable; tablets are mostly used for say in ones living room, while smartphone can be used within the home, and also on the go.  Mobile phones are more personal and tablets can often be shared more likely than ones phone (Etter, 2015). 

Why I think smartphones (whether it is a Samsung or Iphone) should be use, plain and simple everyone now a days owns one.  I doubt anyone would forget this devices as home, like their textbooks.  Smartphones go where ever you go, information is available 24/7. Many adult learners own smartphones, and in fact a lot of low-income areas around the country, smartphones is the only internet-enabled device they ever used (like the Dominican Republic).

Smartphones allows students to go beyond 4 walls of learning, learning can happen from anywhere, in a car, on a bus, at a park, and in one living room.  A student can take notes, transfer them to a laptop or share them online with a study group.  Students have instant access to many websites for questions that need to be answered, for a video assignment students can record films using a smartphone and send them to a computer for editing, access to e-mail, discussion boards, assignments 24/7, access to discussion boards, assignments,  great for keep track of schedules and dates. 

             Tablets are personal mobile computers which have a camera, microphone, speakers, and a touchscreen.  Tablets are a little bigger than smartphones, they used to be used primarily as entertainment, but no matter what tablet you use, Samsung, Ipad, etc., they all enhance students’ technology skills and provide opportunities to reinforce and enhance classroom learning. Student can access information quickly whole doing research, great for educational games, the future of e-book (easy to read on tablet than smartphone).  Adults who are new to technology, the use of tablets helps them cross over to technology. Tablets are the best way to show textbook (e-book), they enhance e-book featuring imagines, video and audio; they fit both students and teachers lifestyles.  They are thin, lightweight, have longer battery life, they fit with current educational technology trends, student can work from anywhere and anytime; tablets save paper and keep notes organized in one place and much more.  The way I would incorporate both smartphones and tablets into my teaching is by encouraging my students to check e-mails, discussion, assignments on a regular basis.  Smartphones use to collaborate and communicate – for my adults learning a second language, I would have them record a real life scenario (order food in a restaurant) and have peer review and assess them; I would allow student to video or audio record my assignment instructions; I would establish a Facebook account for the course, where students can ask for questions as well as share their class assignments and reminders, students can use google translate to break down language barriers. 

            Use smartphones and tablets to use dictionary and thesaurus apps, as well as google play to get the following apps for learning English: (1) Learn English, ESL, TOEFL-  This ESL app offers flashcards and a phrasebook that includes pictures, text, and correct audio pronunciation. Lessons can be tailored to all needs and levels of learning, including adults, children, beginners, and advanced; (2) Learn English - contains over 800 commonly-used English phrases and vocabularies for travelers and beginners. Using this app, you can learn from our English speaking parrot. The parrot works together with you to practice your speaking and listening skills, wherever and whenever you are; (3) ESL Podcast -  unofficial -  This app is not only a great study tool for those studying English as a second language, but also for those hoping to better understand culture. The app offers educational American culture, famous people or songs, and other interesting information; (4) ESL Cafe Podcast - This popular English as a Second Language Podcast offers lessons that can be downloaded right to a user’s mobile device and played on the go. Users have access to a huge library of ESL resources and once accessed, the podcasts can easily be played without access to the internet (Masters ESL, 2015).

Proper planning, implementation and professional development is needed in order for the success of mobile devices in the classroom. 

 

References

eCycle Best (2015).  Smartphones as Tools for Education: Getting Smart with Smartphones.  Retrieved from https://www.ecyclebest.com/resources/smartphones-as-tools-for-education

Park, Y. (2011). A pedagogical framework for mobile learning: Categorizing educational applications of mobile technologies into four types. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12(2), 78–102. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Etter, S. (2015) Smartphones vs. Tablets: Forrester Reveals the Differences.  Retrieved from http://www.monetate.com/blog/smartphones-vs-tablets-forrester-reveals-the-differences/

Masters ESL (2015).  The Essential Guide to Apps for Learning English as a Second Language.  Retrieved from http://mastersinesl.com/essential-esl-app-guide/ http://mastersinesl.com/essential-esl-app-guide/ http://mastersinesl.com/essential-esl-app-guide/

Webjunction (OCLC) (2015).  Tablets and Apps: A World of Possibility.  Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/Tablets_Apps_World_of_Possibility.html

Week 3- assign 1- Social Networking Technology

Week 3 assignment 1 entailed selecting 2 social networking technologies and discuss why they were chosen and how will they be incorporated into our professional practice. 

As we know internet communications such as blogs, podcast, tags, swapping of files offers our learners new ways on researching, creating and learning.   Social networking is a software that allows people to come together around an idea or topic of interest. Smith (2007) suggest that we no longer call it social networking, but academic networking. 

Facebook (WWW.FACEBOOK.COM) has been growing over the years and millions of people all over the world is using it.  Many are using it frequently and comfortably as a means of communication, keeping in touch with family, friends, colleagues, etc. Using Facebook in teaching a second language will enhance the student learning experience.  It also creates for learning environments that are independent and collaborative.   Facebook is free which is great.  Technologies in which Facebook can be used are desk top computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets. 

Second Life (WWW.SECONDLIFE.COM) is a 3D world in which one can see a real person and every place one visits is built by people like ourselves.   Second Life is an anxiety free, language learning online language learning in which one has a character that can walk around and meet people. Using Second Life with foreign language learners can help increase their learning skills, helps with grammar and spelling as well as increase the students’ conversational skills. It can be used both with adults and children.   Learning though Second Life hopefully will help students as well as instructors further understand the notion that intentional learning can happen outside of a classroom and outside of traditional learning environments (Brown, 2008). Second Life can be used with the following technologies connected to the internet - desktop or laptop computers, smartphones and tablets, Second Life software, second life character.   

         Both Facebook and Second Life can be incorporated into my teaching because they are free, they can be fun, they encourage students to share work socially, hold a real life class (second life).  Example on my Friday class I can tell my student instead of lecture hall, we will meet in Second life.  Further instructions will be sent to them by email. 
       As for Facebook I would use it for class projects, for enhancing communication and for engaging my learners in ways that could not be done in a traditional class.  Example using a series of games such as Farmville, Name Analyzer, and Fishville.  All these games can will help the students develop their thinking skills. 

The most important thing as a future educator I first must be familiar with all aspects of using Facebook and Second Life before using it within my class.  Guidelines and rules need to be established so that there will be no misunderstanding or misuse of either one.  . 

 

References

 Brown, J. (2008). Teaching 2.0: Doing more with less. Retrieved from http://vimeo.com/765098

Smith, F. (2007). How to use Social-Networking Technology for Learning.  Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/how-use-social-networking-technology

Wk2-assign 1 - Applications and Multimedia Resources

Application and Multi-media Resources

This week assignment 1 we had to explore applications and multi-media applications that can be used to meet educational standards.  

I am going to focus on to common core standards for adults learning a second language (English). I must first say there is a lot of information out there.  Many adults who want to learn the English have their own reason for doing so, such as communicating with their kids, schools, etc., as well as for seeking better job opportunities and learning how to communicate in general. 

Common core standards contain crucial skills that adults will need both in their personal and professional lives.  In my English School I want to prepare my adult learners for the real world.  How they can communicate in the English language and how important it is to know.  I hope that they will be able to learn or improve their skills in each of the four components of reading, alphabetics (phonemic awareness and word analysis) fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension. These skills will help them both in their personal and profession life.  Once again preparing them for the real world.  My students will learn how to listen, speak, read, and write the English language. According to the US Department of Education (2012) the content standards describe what learners should know and be able to do with a specific content area of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Learning languages with the use of mobile technology reflect the many and varied ways we as educators are using mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, Ipads, laptops, etc., and with internet the use of Wi-Fi. Use of all these mobile devices allow us as educators to create a whole new learning environment for both the learner and educator. They will be learning on the go.

In order to meet this standards of learning English as a second language I would like to use the following two application in my course:

Listen to - or create - a Podcast

            A podcast is a series of audio or video recordings, which one can subscribe to and listen to whenever you like.  Access is 24/7 on-the-go and on smartphones, tablets, etc.  Some podcast are free and others offer membership.   There are several podcast that English learners should listen too. Podcast are easy and quick, they can help with a learners listening skills and proficiency.  They also have a written version of the audio.  One can listen and read at the same time. One can even have learners to create their own podcast to document their progress through the course and discuss ideas and views on different issue of the course (Haynes, 2015).  Podcast and digital media are similar.  Digital technology enables one to use video and use sound such as the podcast. 

Give multimedia presentations – or have your students give them

            This helps make classes more alive by using PowerPoint presentations that incorporate photos, diagrams, sound effects, music or video clips.  They can develop a presentation of what they have learned in the course and one can use it as part of their final grade (Haynes, 2015).

 

Reference

Haynes, K. (2015). 12 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classrooms, Even for Technophobic Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/12-easy-ways-use-technology-your-classroom-even-technophobic-teachers

Technolgies to Consider

Note: This is a repost of Weeks 1 discussion #2 for the Walden 6177 course in
Using Technology to Enhance Adult Learning I'm currently taking.  We had to post about two emerging technologies we were considering for a grant proposal we will be writing later.

The two emerging technologies that have caught my attention (eye) and I am thinking of using for my proposal for this class are Mobile Computing and Learning (Smartphone/Tablets) and Social Media (Linkedin/Facebook).  I believe both will be very beneficial for teaching (all) students especially ones learning English as a second language.  I believe that using both of these technologies will have long term effects on both personal and professional lives of the students.  

Innovation, imagination, and inspiration are what Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter bring to today’s social networking world.    These social media tools are part of many of our lives.  They can keep up on top of what is happening both international and national.  Many people can find anything from jobs offerings; international, national and local news; sales at many department stores or local stores as well as finding real estate listing.  Staying current with social networking can be an important task for adult learners because they needs to stay informed and equipped with the latest information and news.  Social networks offer students a way to stay in touch, creating face-to-face life conversation and other interaction away from the physical classroom (Arndt, 2015). 

The use of mobile computing and learning as well as social networks help adult learners with busy, complex lives to keep on top of things by participating on the go without having to go into an actual classroom.  These tools allows them to participate any time, from any place and allows them to feel connected with their peers, professors and institution.   As we know adult learners bring a lot to the learning table, they bring life experiences, they are motivated to learn, they each have their own learning styles and agenda. These tools will allow them to express themselves in environments in which they will have access to on the go, and they will feel safe and encouraged.

Gracesinda

Emerging Technologies

Hello Dr. C. & Classmates,

My name is Gracesinda Duran and this is my first blog.  Honestly I was nervous about doing this but here goes. 

I am going to tell you a little bit about myself.  Well first of all I live in the Dominican Republic and have lived here for almost 5 years. Yes, it is very different than living in the US and it has been very challenging for me.  My husband of 32 years and I decided to retire here after losing everything due to the market crash.  We have two beautiful children, our daughter Stephany who is a Paralegal and lives in Tampa, Florida and our son Luis Miguel who is married and has a beautiful wife and son.  He as well lives in the Dominican Republic.  He works and is studying to be an architect.

After living here for 2 years bored out of my mind I decided to further my education.  I have a BS in Business Administration (1999) from Florida Metropolitan University and a Master in Business Management (2015) from Walden University and now going for my second Masters in Adult Education.  My dream is to open up my own English School here in the Dominican Republic and to make a change in a least one person’s live.  Education has always been important to me and I believe that no matter what your age is, it is never too late to learn. 

I started this blog because it was required of us for this 1^st week’s second discussion.  The object of this blog is to post weekly about emerging technology trends we learn about and how they can be used with our adult learners currently or in the future. 

I am nervous and stressing already about this course.  I am looking forward to working and learning for each of you. 

Thanks,                     

Gracesinda