Teach English Now! Technology Enriched Teaching

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/tesol-technology

Introduction

# Course Review: Teach English Now! Technology Enriched Teaching In an increasingly digital world, the integration of technology into education is not only beneficial but essential. Coursera offers a standout course entitled **"Teach English Now! Technology Enriched Teaching,"** which equips educators with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to enhance their teaching through technology, while ensuring that the focus remains on language learning. This course, part of a broader series aimed at educators, provides a thoughtful and practical approach to overcoming the hurdles teachers face when venturing into tech-enhanced instruction. ## Overview The course is designed to help teachers seamlessly integrate technology into their curriculum without allowing it to overshadow the primary goal: fostering language acquisition. It explores current and emerging trends in educational technology, equipping educators to stay informed and adapt to these developments through professional development networks and training opportunities. ## Syllabus Breakdown ### Module 1: Overcoming Your Fears of Using Technology The journey begins with understanding the common fears educators have about using technology in the classroom. Through the story of a novice teacher, this module illustrates the challenges teachers face, including feelings of inadequacy and perceived barriers to tech adoption. The concepts of alignment, learner control, and outcome-driven teaching are emphasized, providing a solid foundation for educators to build upon. ### Module 2: Enhancing Lesson Planning Using Technology This module focuses on creating a learning management system (LMS) and introduces nine categories of technology, along with six events of instruction. Educators learn how to evaluate different tools to enhance lesson planning effectively, ensuring that technology is used as a facilitator of learning rather than a distraction. ### Module 3: Engaging Students Using Technology Recognizing the differing needs of digital natives and non-natives is crucial for successful engagement in the classroom. This module offers strategies to connect with both types of learners, ensuring all students remain motivated and engaged in the learning process. ### Module 4: Transforming the Classroom Using Technology In this module, the TPACK framework (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and SAMR model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) are introduced. These frameworks help educators reflect on how they can effectively integrate technology to transform teaching and learning outcomes, rather than merely substitute traditional methods. ### Module 5: Focusing on Your Training As the course progresses, the focus shifts to navigating the overwhelming array of technology tools available today. This module provides practical advice on selecting the right tools, ensuring that the chosen technologies genuinely enhance student learning and do not become mere distractions. ### Module 6: Final Review The course concludes with a comprehensive summary of the key concepts from previous modules. Learners engage with a video recap, followed by a final quiz and peer review assignment to consolidate their understanding and application of the material. ## Recommendation "Teach English Now! Technology Enriched Teaching" is highly recommended for educators seeking to better integrate technology into their teaching practice, especially those in English language instruction. The course is thoughtfully structured, providing not just theoretical knowledge but also practical strategies and frameworks that educators can implement in real-world classrooms. The supportive learning environment, alongside the engaging storytelling of a relatable teaching character, makes the concepts easily digestible and relatable. By the end of the course, you will feel empowered and ready to embrace technological advancements in your teaching approach while prioritizing effective language instruction. In conclusion, if you're an educator looking to enhance your teaching with technology without sacrificing the core educational values of language learning, this course is a must. Join the ranks of inspired teachers equipped to lead in a technology-rich educational landscape!

Syllabus

Module 1: Overcoming Your Fears of Using Technology

In this module, learners are introduced to a young teacher who is hesitant to incorporate technology into the classroom. On his journey, we will be introduced to reasons teachers avoid technology as well as suggestions for how to overcome some common technology difficulties. In particular, learners will be introduced to the concepts of alignment, learner control, and the importance of being outcomes driven.

In this module, our young teacher learns about creating a learning management system (LMS) to assist him in the classroom. We are also introduced to nine different categories of technology as well as 6 events of instruction. Events of instruction are introduced to help teachers recognize the need to examine different technologies according to how they can be useful during the lesson planning process.

In this module, we are introduced to the concept of digital nativity, and students that are both digital natives and non-natives. Throughout the module, our young teacher is given strategies to engage both types of learners.

In this module, learners are introduced to the interaction between teaching, content, and technology, using the acronym TPACK. Through this acronym, teachers are invited to recognize the ways in which different types of knowledge work together. We are also introduced to an additional acronym: SAMR. This acronym invites teachers to consider how essential the tool is to achieving learning outcomes, and whether it simply replaces an older type of technology, or if it transforms the learning process itself.

In this module, our young teacher encounters a final test in the form of marketers that attempt to push technology tools on him and his classroom. We give some final advice about how to deal with the massive numbers of tools that are currently available, and what to do to ensure that the tools that are chosen will truly benefit students.

Each of the concepts covered in Modules 1 - 5 is summarized in the course summary video. Learners watch the video to verify their understanding of the course material. Then, they will proceed to the final checkpoint quiz and peer review assignment.