Mejore, Emplee, y Extenda el Aprendizaje

Numerous opinions exist over whether the increase in technology in the educational world is positive or negative. In my opinion, and in correspondence with the article, "Enhance, Engage and Extend Learning", the positive or negative isn't about the existence of technology, it's all about the ability of teachers to use it to our advantage in the classroom.

Liz Keren-Kolb uses the "Triple E Framework for Instructional Technology" to illustrate that, despite some teachers using technology in their classrooms (for example, using a PowerPoint presentation in place of a simple lecture), the students don't benefit from technological inclusion unless that component can engage, enhance, or extend their learning. What does all of this mean? Keren-Kolb spells it out:

Engage Learning-use technology to motivate or interest disengaged students

The technology:

• allows students to focus on the assignment with less distraction; 
• Motivates students to start the learning process; and 
• causes a shift in student behavior from passive to active learning. 

Enhance Learning-use technology to develop understanding of learning goals that could not have been accomplished without those tools

The technology:

• allows students to understand in a way that is easier than a traditional tool; 
• allows students to develop a more sophisticated understanding of the content; and 
• allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the content in a way that they could not using traditional tools. 

Extend Learning-use technology to bring learning outside the classroom walls and into students' everyday lives where they can continue to grow after they leave school

The technology:

• allows students to learn outside their typical school day; 
• allows students to merge their school learning with their everyday life experiences; and 
• allows students to become lifelong learners, as they do not need the teacher or school to continue to use the tools. 

All of this seems incredibly daunting-but in reality, there are thousands and thousands of online resources to help make Foreign Language learning interesting and meaningful to students. Most of my experience is in Secondary Education in Foreign Language, and that is where I will be completing my student teaching internship during the Spring 2016 semester. Secondary education differs from lower-grades education in a few ways when it comes to accessing technology for your classroom (especially in the 21st century). High schoolers these days have their smartphones on them 24/7, and as much of a nuisance that they can be in the classroom, they can also work to your advantage.

When ENGAGING secondary age students in Foreign Language learning, you have to play to what interests them! For some students, the fact that they could be able to use this language in the real world around them or while traveling is enough to keep them engaged.  But, for most others, making the Spanish language meaningful to them has to involve the inclusion of another aspect of their life.  This can be as easy as using a fake Facebook account on this website and filling the information out in Spanish! Or, if there is access to a computer or tablet for each student, they can create their own accounts talking about famous Spanish speakers, postulating what their Facebook accounts may look like. They could even translate their own Facebook accounts into Spanish.  The options are endless! The students will just be excited that they can relate this class to something they likely see every day.

Another way I could ENGAGE my Spanish learners, and even ENHANCE their learning, is by finding the Spanish versions of common commercials shown on TV of big brands.  Many international brands have versions of the commercials they play in several languages.  See the example below. 

Because the students are likely already familiar with the Snickers brand slogan, "You're not you when you're hungry", it will be easier for them to translate the commercial and grasp the grammar rule for verbs like "tener".  Students could even go further and EXTEND their learning by searching online for other commercials with national brands that may have versions of their advertisements in Spanish.  They could be assigned to watch Spanish speaking channels like Univision and watch for the verb usage and differences in stylistic and grammatical aspects in comparison to the commercials they're familiar with.

Though it is difficult to achieve all three of these aspects of technology use in each lesson, even small changes can make a big difference.  Above are just two examples, and below are several more for each category.

ENGAGE Learning

• Playing a song at the beginning of the class that includes either the grammar, culture, or theme of the lesson.  This way, students come into class and are automatically excited to learn.  Try "Lola Soledad" por Alejandro Sanz, which would be great to start off a Reflexive Verb unit! 

• In my classroom, depending on what kind of internet access my students have, I plan to make each student have a Twitter account (which can be a separate one for class if they prefer).  They must follow me on Twitter and be on the lookout for homework assignments! 
• I could tweet at the students and ask them to tweet back or have them try to gain retweets on songs or videos. 
• Using twitter to my advantage instead of making it the enemy could help keep students engaged and interested

ENHANCE Learning- these should not only be fun and interesting to students, but this technology should make it the information more accessible or, in some cases, easier to understand. 

• Jeopardy and other review games not only get the students excited, but they play to different intelligences and learning styles, allowing students to enjoy themselves and make learning more meaningful
• Songs that are made by teachers, students, or Spanish professionals to help understand grammar rules are incredible tools for students who  can't always grasp the concepts on the first try or with just lecturing! 

EXTEND Learning

• Have students complete research on another culture.  Have them find information about their food, their customs, and even more specifically, have them find out how they use technology in comparison to people in the U.S.! 
• For students who enjoy sports, they can be assigned a soccer team and use ESPN Deportes to find statistics, information about players, and even watch games at home!
• This may be more applicable for higher level learners but teachers can have students go to websites like BBC Mundo and find current events regarding particular countries that they are interested.  To extend learning in lower level classes, you can have them watch news stories in class that are meant for speakers of the TL or use a podcast like News in Slow Spanish to gather the same kind of information but at a slower rate
• Finally, to extend learning beyond the classroom, the teacher can use his/her resources to get in touch with a classroom in any Spanish speaking country and try to set up a Skype session on a set schedule.  This way the students can learn from each other and the learning can truly be limitless

References

Alejandro Sanz Católogo. (2010, October 28). Alejandro Sanz - Lola Soledad (Videoclip

oficial) [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap1OoEDHYrM

[Screenshot of FakeBook (Lionel Messi)]. Retrieved from http://www.classtools.net/FB/1899-mXKjUp

Señor Jordan. (2015). Reflexive verbs made easy with a song! [Screenshot of YouTube 

video]. Retrieved from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYFCwIfZ-s4)

ZombieDMonkey. (2010, June 24). Snickers Zombie Commercial [Video File]. Retrieved 

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pndQRcAjFM