May
27
Once Upon a Time There Was a Computer Lab …
May 27, 2009 | Tagged ARICANA, computer lab, Computer Lab Projects, Web 2.0 | 3 Comments
My interest in ICT started in 2004 when I was offered to work at the brand-new computer lab that was going to be installed at my language school the following year. I literally started from scratch doing online searches for ready-made material. As I moved from basic point-and-click activities to more sophisticated listening exercises, I knew I was giving my first steps into an environment full of potential for language classes but that at the same time entailed a new approach to learning and teaching.
Combining endless web exploration with deep educational theory, I first learned about the scaffolded pedagogical design of webquests in 2005. Later, TESOL EVO 2006 sessions helped me discover the power of the Web 2.0 through blogs and wikis. I now coordinate a team of seven teachers designing and delivering computerlab sessions. In these four years we’ve designed sessions for more than twelve levels of children, teen and adult courses. I’ve also carried out a variety of online blog exchanges and projects with both my lab students and my regular classes.
Although at present the sessions are delivered only by the computer lab team, I’ve always felt that all teachers should be able to design activities for their own classes, so in 2007 I organized the first computer lab workshop and we’ve held training sessions every summer since then. Little by little, we see new colleagues overcoming their initial resistance and after three years most of the staff have attended the workshops and are at least familiar with and have started using some web resources with their classes at the lab.
We still have a long way to go until technology becomes fully integrated into language classes, but we can be sure we are going through the paradigm shift and it feels great to be a part of it!
Eternal thanks to my computer lab mates, the real pioneers! (in order of appearance!) Elida Fittipaldi, Leda Siburu, Patricia Stanley, Jesica Bassani (the e-learning diva!), Verónica Miranda and Natalia Furlán.
First published on ARCALL Blog March 10, 2009
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Dear Carlita,
What a nice account of your own exploration and learning. The funny thing is that we have such similar professional stories that amaze me! I also supervise a group of teachers. We call ourselves the Ed Tech Team. It´s such a joy to work with such inspired group. Now, we´re planning our first “ed tech week” and we´re truly excited about it and the chance to motivate our teachers to integrate even more technology into their lessonplans.
Look, I sent you an email to you some time ago, and I guess you didn´t get it…
Miss you!
Dear Carla,
I’ve just sent you a very long e-mail!! It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. I wish you all a wonderful Ed Tech Week and remember the Compute Lab team is always ready to collaborate!!
Big hugs
Dear Carla!
Your web site is great!!! And your article makes me remember the film Once upon a time in the West, directed by Sergio Leone. I love spaghetti Westerns… and I do also love Claudia Cardinale, isn’t she wonderful?
Well, I’ll have to go to bed. If not, I won’t be able to attend the class tomorrow morning; and I do not want to miss one of your classes: I consider you an excelent teacher and a very remarkable person.
Bye,
Julio.