Virtual Learning
Based on: Blending Learning Essentials: Getting... University of Leeds.
Virtual Learning Tools to Use in the English Class
By Licda. Ana Patricia López Quirós.
High School Teacher and University Professor
Saturday, February 23rd, 2019.
Technology has come to our lives to
stay; this is a fact. It is used in most
of the fields of society; subsequently education is not an exception. As
technology is in constant change, teachers should update their knowledge in
this area and take advantage of the different tools that are in Internet to
benefit the teaching-learning process. Depending on the use it is given,
technology can be an excellent allied to engage students to the learning
process. The video about virtual
learning environments, provides information about the importance of introducing
the virtual environment into the educational process.
This video refers to the many
advantages that imply to include technological tools into the class. Firstly,
it mentions that these tools can be available twenty-four hours a week for the
students in order to revise the information that the teacher sends them. Secondly, teachers are the ones who organize
and control the information that the students will see into these pages, so
everything in these kind of tools have to be well organized and prepared to
avoid misunderstandings or complaints from the students.
Besides, as the
teacher is the designer of the class, he or she can split the curriculums into topics
in such a way that they can be easily understood by the students. Finally, the
most interesting point about technology is that it lets the teachers become
very creative by including videos, images, and readings from different sources
they can find in the Web.
On the other hand, this video also
mentions the responsibility that both the students and teachers should have in
terms of privacy of the documents that are going to be created and shared through
these canals.
It is clear that the advantages of
using technological tools for educational purposes outweigh its disadvantages.
For this reason, I urge teachers to take the challenge and get started to blend
their classes in such a way that virtual aids can be in. Students will be more
motivated to develop their skills and competences when they see that they are
also developing competences in the technological field.
Reference:
University of Leeds. Blending learning
Essential. Retrieved from:
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/blended-learning-getting-started/0/steps/7856
As you mentioned in your posts, there are good advantages when incorporating technological tools in the language classroom. Students can participate in a class from any where in the world they are and that can mean saving money in transportation, allowance, food, etc.
ResponderEliminarOn the other hand, the biggest disadvantage is that at least in Costa Rica, internet connection is not available in all areas in the country. Another point is that they regularly say they are out of the plan they pay (sin saldo) and it is a problem when asking them to use their devices.
Excellent! Technology has brought about new challenges to our lives. However, it will benefit both, teachers and students. The more we use it, the more complex it becomes, and it allows us to be learning continuously. As you said, even 24 hours a day VLE is available to be used. When well-administered, it will offer awesome approaches to the curriculum.
ResponderEliminarIt was a nice reflection, Patricia. The fact is that technology can be a great aid in class and outside it, too. And stated by you, technology can be a way to encourage learners to become more engaged in the construction of their own knowledge.
ResponderEliminarThere is a gap between public and private education in Costa Rica. This is a fact that is accepted by all the educators and profesionals that are involved with education in our country. The benefits that the option of virtual learning offers to teaching and learning process, are concentrated in the areas where it is possible to have acess to internet. Without any doubt, virtual learning is a great tool for teachers and learners, due this fact, my concerning is that it still is, somehow, an elite tool for those that are included geographically in the areas where it is possible to be connected to the web, and to those social groups that have the technology to experiment these benefits.
ResponderEliminarI have to recognize that there are efforts from the government to eliminate this technological exclusion, but these ones are still not enough to be inclusive and facilitate some populations the opportunity to experience Virtual Learning and benefit from it.
I like the way you introduce the importance of technological tools in education. It is important to remember all the advantages that we can have using this type of elements in the class. We need to be prepared every single day for the new challenges that we as teachers will have ahead. Technology is one of the most beautiful elements that we as teachers had to teach our students the most important aspect is to know who to used it correctly.
ResponderEliminar