Lifelong Learning

Learning can never stop for learning professionals, can it? We need to attend conferences to keep our knowledge fresh with best practices, in addition to attending webinars for continuous learning and when our situations don't allow us attend events face-to-face.

We also need to find ways to learn "just in time" when we find a gap in our knowledge base or when a need arises for us to learn a specific task or to use a specific technology tool. I came across this post "10 Top Self Help Sites for Technology" by Technology Tidbits: Thoughts of a Cyber Hero with some great sites to help you continue your lifelong learning journey. He lists professional development sites such as Atomic Learning and Lynda as well as Tech University for learning all things about 'macs'....

One of the greatest advantages of online sites such as these for learning is that you can learn any time and any place your laptop will travel --all you need is your laptop and an Internet connection.

Be sure to check out Cyber Hero's list out in your free time. I know I will.

Pay It Forward

When reading Chris Pirillo's post "How to Pay It Forward" I began to think about the many resources we find online each day and wonder how many of us pass them along to others or do we stash them in our delicious or digg accounts just waiting for others to find them.

Sure it does take a bit longer to blog, tweet, facebook, or email site links to others we know who would benefit, but as Pirillio says, "doing something nice for others is a basic human rule we should all live by." And this is something you can do every day and it doesn't cost money. You don't have to pay someone back to 'pay it forward' -just be kind and pass along something you find online to others.

The Internet has an over-abundance of resources we find each day and each of us finds different resources due to our different network connections, so go ahead pass along that Phonemic chart to the ESL teacher, that Photoshop animation video to the IT teacher, that Math Playground game to the resource teacher, that Visual Blooms chart to the Curriculum Lead, and that GIS Elevation Tool to the Social Studies teacher. By sharing your enthusiasm for using technology you will be infusing others with ideas and your excitement. It's infectious, so share.

As a 'pay it forward' teach others how-to build a Twitter PLN so they can follow you and quickly find your 'pay it forwards', but emailing a site link to a less tech-savvy colleague is still a great way to 'pay it forward.' Hopefully others will soon reciprocate, sharing and actively building their personal learning networks.

All you need is a little bit of time to 'pay it forward' each day. It will brighten everyone's day, including yours.

English Language Learning Podcasts

To add a few sites I came across for using podcasts as a listening activity with your students for learning English....

• Podfeed Directory...English Podcasts
• ESL Listening: English as a Second Language (ESL) Podcast
• Podomatic Site: Podcasts for English Language Learning
• ESL Pod: English for Everyone
• Very Vocabulary: Learn English Words Podcasts
• and even though its no longer updated check out: Podictionary

You also might want to peruse the archived BlendedEdu podcasts posts ...

Be sure to let us your favorite podcast sites for English Language Learning so we can add them to ours.

Podcasts for Learning- Curriculum Ideas

Over the years BlendedEdu has been an advocate for the use of podcasts to enrich learning. As we know people learn in a variety of ways, not just from reading, nor do we all ‘see’ words put together in sentences in the same order. Listening, in itself, is a skill to be learned as well. Students, young and old, can greatly benefit from listening to podcasts in class and out, and on their mobile devices too.

For instance, podcasts can be used in any setting, for any educational purpose, for formal learning as well as informally. Podcasts can enrich learning in any subject area. English teachers can use podcasts for helping students develop their English language skills. For example, students can listen to Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing then use the tip with a homework assignment. That is one way to extend learning beyond the classroom walls while tapping into audio technology.

Podcasts can be very useful for online learning or distance learning classes as well as for face-to-face classes. Student can listen to a variety of teacher-made podcasts or teacher-selected podcasts to enforce a topic studied. For example, a distance learning class on Creative Writing could listen to one of “Rick Steve’s Audio Europe” podcasts and then write an essay from a ‘first-person” point of view. A graduate-level Communications Class could listen to The Hobson & Holtz Report: For Immediate Release podcast "Interviewing Robin Black and David Ferrabee on the Future of Social Media within Internal Communications" and then create a video on internal communications where they work. Now that would be quite an authentic task.

Listening to podcasts are helpful not only for older students but for any ages. Older students could listen to The History Chicks give their perspective on historical characters or listen to the Norman Centuries by Lars Brownworth, while early years learners could listen to a selection of Aesop’s Fables on Librivox benefiting each age group from a listening activity.

These are just a few thoughts to get your ideas flowing as to how you could use podcasts in your classroom. Try searching Podcast Alley or Podscope, a podcast search engine, to locate podcasts. Once you start using "listening activities" in your classroom you will discover many more ways to fit podcasts into your curriculum to reach the audio learners and to enrich student learning.

Be sure to share your ideas with us.....

Emerging Technology: 2011 Horizon Report

The 2011 Horizon Report is out with the latest word on specific technologies for us to watch.

Here's a quick summary of The New Media Consortium's report-

Technologies to Watch:
in the near-term horizon (within the next 12 months):

• e-books
• Mobiles

in the mid-term horizon (in the next 2-3 years):

• Augmented Reality
• Game-Based Learning

in the far-term horizon (in the next 4-5 years)

• Gesture-Based Computing
• Learning Analytics

I definitely see a move (finally) toward adoption of e-books with the many benefits they hold now; since new e-readers, mobile devices, tablets, and the iPad are catching on with younger eyes and being packed in backpacks. Cost is just one benefit, but I see having the ability to get your hands on a book at anytime, anywhere, a tremendous asset for students in remote, isolated locations who study online, but don't have access to a library or mega-bookstore nearby.

In the mid-future look for games to be used for learning purposes. Finally! I have been hawking the benefits of games in learning almost since the beginning of my blogging career as research has proven it, and as many ESL teachers knew long ago. But rather than seeing educational software such as the familiar Reader Rabbit we will see new types of game-based learning such as role-playing games hosted on the Internet. Game-based learning, using games such as World of Warcraft, has already been introduced at Masters level courses to provoke creative and critical thinking, problem solving, and virtual collaboration, besides a host of other learning possibilities that are too many to go into in this post. Known as WoW to its' 12 million users, World of Warcraft holds the Guinness World Record for the most popular MMORPG (massively multi player online role-playing game). Games definitely make learning fun! Definitely a WOW for teaching and learning.

One of the technologies to watch for in the long-term is already in many homes. The X-box360 Kinect allows users to control the game by making gestures such as swinging their arms or moving their body in a specific direction. It won't be long till that technology is harvested for everyday computer use. Think about not having to use a keyboard or a mouse. Another WOW for teaching and learning.

It's truly a great time to be working in teaching and learning with the emerging technology that's on the horizon. Can't wait to try a few out. (download the 2011 Horizon Report PDF here)

Technology in a Suitcase

Expanding on my post “Seeing Through New Eyes” I have been thinking more about inexpensive technologies that ESL teachers could bring to students in “tech-less” classrooms in remote areas of the world.

In addition to an inexpensive pocket projector that would turn an ordinary whiteboard into a video display for watching video clips, presentations, or playing games ESL teachers could bring an interactive technology such as an eBeam or a Mimio to capture ideas, visuals, and provide opportunities for communication and collaboration. These devices are inexpensive and could easily fit in an ESL teacher’s suitcase.

Today HP introduced their Digital Sketch and Pocket Whiteboard. These small devices open up a whole new world of technology turning any surface into an interactive learning space providing a collaborative space for students either on a flat desktop surface or a wall. The price isn't listed, but size-wise the sketch tablet or the pocket whiteboard could easily travel in an ESL teacher’s suitcase.

Instead of focusing on what technology your school doesn't have, switch your perspective and think about learning technology your suitcase can bring to your students.

Reverse your thinking- It’s a whole new way of seeing things.

iPads in Education

Much is being researched and written already about Apple's new iPad device. They seem to be a great new tool that has the potential to revolutionize learning in the classroom with all ages, as well as with any subject.

Even before reading Barking Robot's post about the latest report by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center titled "Learning: Is there an app for that?" I knew the iPad was a great tool to be used by teachers. Its' portability and extensive capabilities are perfect for classrooms and learning anywhere and everywhere. And it's no doubt that young children are very interested in using technology- just try to get your cell phone away from a toddler....

Looking at the number of educational apps that are available on appSafari suggests that others besides educators have already noted what great learning tools iPads are. Check out Phonemica, The English Dictionary and Thesaurus, or Word Blocks for ESL/EFL students, Go! Word Power for quiz questions that seem right out of the SAT, Stack the States for Geography lessons, and Miniatlas Anatomy for learning about the human body.

Next talk to your school and Ed Tech department about getting iPads available for your students. It makes much more economical sense to outfit your students with one of these Wifi learning tools than the old dinosaur- the desktop computer.

I can see learning taking on a whole new landscape in classrooms with iPads and learning apps, don't you? How would you use them in your classroom? I would be interested in learning.

Seeing Through New Eyes

Technology seems to be ubiquitous to teachers in the Ed Tech World, but technology is not always available in classrooms throughout the world. Oftentimes, electricity might not even be available in those classrooms and many ESL/EFL teachers have to teach 'technically unplugged' daily. Finding ways to use technology in these “tech-less” situations presents a problem to the teachers, so they opt out of using technology saying “well, it’s just not there yet.” Truth is, it might not be there in your lifetime, so instead of writing it off and robbing these students of the learning experience try to find ways to use it with your own laptop or iPad, and an inexpensive pocket projector you can bring in your backpack or briefcase. There are many ideas that work in a 1 computer classroom. For example, use 100 Useful YouTube Channels for Teachers so you can download and save videos to use in class or create your own 'Jeopardy-like' quiz games to use with your students. Your students will benefit from your investment.


When faced with ESL/EFL situations that aren’t allowed the luxury access to a computer lab or a 1-1 computer classroom think what you, as the teacher, can bring to the students rather than thinking what you don’t have access to. It’s just a switch in perspective…try seeing things through new eyes.

2011 Ed Tech Trends to Watch

Reading the Journal's k12 Technology Trends for 2011 really didn't surprise me, but I was very happy to hear that others' eyes are finally beginning to open to the potential of technology in the classroom.

It seems that teachers, administrators and students are curious to know what technologies will 'stick' around next year. It's good to know that many technologies the article talked about are not just fads, but technologies that actually enhance student learning.

Last year we did an action research project at our college using 'Clickers.' Both faculty and students were excited to try them and saw their potential for monitoring students progress in English Language classrooms. Clickers, or any student response system, has the potential to engage learners in their lessons beyond mere memorization and worksheets, develop critical thinking skills, while at the same time providing real-time data to teachers. I see great potential and so do many teachers and administrators. Since these tools are still a bit pricey, I'm hoping to find some effective and viable alternative options to try.

It looks like many teachers, and administrators are also seeing the benefits and potential of "cloud" computing. Cloud computing has great monetary benefits as well a being a technology to enhance student learning. One nifty tool I use personally is DropBox. It's the easiest way to store, sync, and share files up in the 'cloud' I have found using my mobile phone, my laptops- both at home and at work. Try it out, it might help you to be a bit more organized.

Furthermore, both teachers and administrators are finally seeing the potential for web-based instruction at the k12 level. Here is where the potential of Moodle, a virtual learning environment, can move into k12 education. Moodle can enhance and enrich learning, both inside the classroom and at home.

Overall, a good outlook for technology trends in 2011. Teachers, administrators, and students will have more tools to learn to use next year. Remember, learning is a continuous process.

Meeting Expectations -Tackling #4

I haven't posted to Blendededu.com in quite a while, but with good reason. I was busy tackling #4 on my professional development list previously posted on "Expectations" and receiving my TESOL Certification from Trinity College London. It was a great accomplishment.

For 5 weeks I attended the OxfordTEFL-Prague course. The course was intense, to say the least. I gained a wealth of knowledge that will be useful to me as an international educator, as a well as a TESOL certificate that is recognized worldwide. The course instructors were highly qualified and extremely knowledgeable in the field, Prague was enchanting, and the friends I made during the course will be colleagues for life continually sharing what works in our classrooms through email, Twitter and Facebook. It was quite an experience!

There was so much to learn during the course that my mind is just beginning to absorb and make sense of it all. I did teach many lessons 'technically-unplugged' which was quite a challenge, but a good experience for me. I have always supported the idea that technology should only be used to enhance teaching, and in English language teaching there are many ways to use technology to support the learning outcomes.

In addition, I have been reflecting on how technology can be used in remote areas with just one teacher laptop or a 1-computer classroom without an internet connection. Students should not be deprived of technology in today's world just because schools don't have technology or access, it's the teacher's responsibility to bring this 'new' world to their classrooms to prepare 21st century learners. It really is easy, teachers just have to think how to do things differently.

Begin exploring new ideas to infuse technology in your lessons by using Twitter to build a PLN, to follow #esl, #efl, #tefl, and #tesol to see how other teachers are using technology with their students and pick up a few ideas to tweak for your own classroom, or participate in a live Educators PLN Ed Chat on Twitter. Also, plan on attending an ESOL Technology conference next year for your own professional development.

Taking the TEFL course at this point in my career opened my eyes to a whole new world of teaching methods and strategies that will be useful not only to me, but to my students wherever I work in the world, whether it will be content specific or English language teaching.

I will be posting more frequently and sharing ideas now that I have some free time....