PKM TEACHING w/ TECHNOLOGY PHILOSOPHY

Teaching with technology is a learned skill set. Technology is constantly evolving,

requiring teachers to either adopt/adapt to new tools, or to persevere as a Luddite. It is
a challenge to be an early adopter with technology today because we are never certain
which technological advances will be here to stay. [As we learned in this class: a lower
quality video format (VHS) crushed a higher resolution rival (Beta) in the USA due to the
burgeoning video pornography market. Im guessing that some school districts needed
to invest twice to stay in the game.] The moment we buy a computer it has become
obsolete. The irony is that even as our equipment is immediately rendered less
desirable/effective than the next generation, we (well, I) will never be able to maximize
the full potential of the devices in our grasp. Ultimately, it isnt the medium of
technology that defines the excellence of a lesson, but the content of the lesson itself
that matters.
So this is where my philosophy begins: before adopting a given technology we must first
have a sound curriculum, and secondly be engaged in the process of critically revising
and advancing the curriculum. Now, where does technology fit in to my second
language classrooms? I regularly infuse my classroom with culture, history, geography,
politics, and current events. The classes are enriched daily with music, yet I rarely
teach singing. My students can only take so much a cappella interpretation from their
tone deaf teacher, so I rely heavily on other means presenting recorded music on a
daily basis as students arrive. While once via portable cassette players, the medium is
now much richer with streamed videos and live concerts for mindless entertainment and
a hidden agenda. I will often highlight the title of a song/album/band to engage the
students in conversation about what we are listening to as a prompt to a given lesson.
Enrichment is also provided via film/tv to address socio-political topics.
Beyond enrichment, how can technology be used? My philosophy is simple: what do
you have? If my classroom has nothing (2014, ESL), I will provide a boom box and
occasionally request a projector or a TV monitor. If my classroom has a smart screen
(2013, freshman orientation) I will challenge myself to adapt and put it to effective use
daily. Right now my Spanish classroom is well-equiped. I love it. As much as I am
inspired to transform the bulk of my curriculum to technology-driven methods, it is
illogical because I have to be versatile enough to take any lesson/unit and make it
functional sans technology. Case in point, I have Powerpoint presentations that I can
use for either Spanish or ESL, but when I show up to my ESL classroom it isnt plug &
play to start a lesson. It takes work to plan CALL lessons, but once they are developed
the functionality is limited by the tools at hand.
In the end, the leveler for the variations I have found in my classrooms will be with
homework. While not every class has the same resources, most students have
computers or if not, access to one at school. That is my goal: to continue to develop
HW lessons that engage the students in authentic language exposure outside of the
classroom. Part flipping the classroom and part enrichment. My approach isnt hybrid,
but I am working toward that end. Access to our on-line interface at my school isnt
permissible until completion of a training course - which I am inspired to do this spring!