Teaching with Technology

Article #8

There are three reasons why writing is very important in the instruction of second language learners, (1) it is important for academic success, (2) it is an effective tool for the development of language proficiency, and (3) it helps learners raise their awareness about different subject matters.  Blogs have the ability to address the needs of L2 learners at a number of different levels.  The mult-medial nature of blogs exposes language learners to reading, listening, speaking, and writing.  Students need to practice communicating in the target language, so it is up to the teacher to give them such opportunities.  The 21st century has provided language teacher with” new tools for teaching writing to second language learners such as, blogs, wikis, automated writing evaluations, and open-source netbook computers” (Warschauer 3).   The interactiveness of speech and writing  in second language learning is because of online collaboration.   Blogging addresses the needs of second language learner in writing because it give them the needed sense of independence.  Students need to practice communicating in the target language, so it is up to the teacher to give them such opportunities.  Incorporating the using of blogging into there curriculum helps students “transition form a more colloquial to an academic writing style, developing a broader vocabulary, and providing them with the openness to experience different prospectives on a variety of issues. 

Wikis share in the success of the improvement in writing for second language learner.  According to Ward Cunningham the inventor of the wiki, a wiki is a piece of work that builds a community, whereas blogging produces a piece of work (Warschauer 4).  Even though wikis are  suitable for collaborative work they are also a “powerful digital tool for collaborative writing” (Warschauer 5).  Studies show that there is an increase in the quantity of writing by second language learner because of the collaborative writing environment that wikis provide.

Automated writing evaluation (AWE) are also quite successful in the teaching of writing.   AWE has been critized, but reseach suggests that the “impact of such software depends to a large extent on how it is used” (Warschauer 5).  The power of technology is relations to second language teaching is only as good as the problem it is as to address.  With this type of software, teachers are able to address the issues of students with the most needs.  This type of software “increases the amount of instructor feedback” students can receive.

“The use of technology for teaching writing is most effective when students have daily access to an individual computer” (Warschauer 5).  The introduction of the low weight laptops has also increased the writing ability of second language learners.  Teachers provide more feedback from teachers with the use of laptops.

The development of new technologies helps language learners navigate successfully in the collaborative environments of the 21st century.  Blogs and wikis opened the door for a new method of online collaboration that helps the language learner to become independent and confident.  These type environments encourage student ownership and responsibility in the learning process.  Nonetheless, the teacher must continue to encourage the student to be creative  in order for the student to produce meaningful writing materials.