Teaching Languages with Technology
This page began as part of our participation for the 5th consecutive year in the annual AATSP Conference in 2013. We are now in our 10th year of collaboration and enjoying every experience. This site will continue to be the place to come to access links and ideas presented during our NMSU workshop and session at the conference. We used this site during the session and will continue to use it afterwords to access what you might need. The biggest reason for this is to eliminate handouts! We're going green - another benefit to teaching with technology! But, also because there are new ideas being added all the time.
AATSP 2019
The 101st Annual Conference was in San Diego, CA and the workshop was titled: "Turn on Spanish and Portuguese Learning in your Classroom Using Technology your Students Already Bring with Them." Many participants always request a copy of the powerpoint presentation. So, here it is in PDF format. Enjoy and connect with us with ideas and requests for things to add to the site!
General Information on Online Education and the Digital Divide
AATSP 2019
The 101st Annual Conference was in San Diego, CA and the workshop was titled: "Turn on Spanish and Portuguese Learning in your Classroom Using Technology your Students Already Bring with Them." Many participants always request a copy of the powerpoint presentation. So, here it is in PDF format. Enjoy and connect with us with ideas and requests for things to add to the site!
- PowerPoint slides for Workshop: Turn on Spanish and Portuguese Learning in your Classroom Using Technology your Students Already Bring with Them!
General Information on Online Education and the Digital Divide
Why Integrate Technology in Language Instruction?
- Your Classroom is not an Airplane!
- If Technology Motivates Students, Why not use it?
- Technology Combined with Good Teaching Leads to Success
- 10 Tips for Teaching with Media
- The Pencil Metaphor
- Computers in the Classroom
- Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
Establishing Collaborative Rules for Technology Use and Expectations is Essential
One thing that we should always do when using technology in class, is survey the technological assets used/owned by the students. After all, if they don't have access to something, will they use it? This survey can be formal (an electronic form can be created easily with Survey Monkey) or informal (by just a raise of the hand). Ultimately, you will want to consider the LCD (Least Common Denominator) with technology so that all students can participate. Of course, having activities that can be done for extra credit or offer different options - flexibility is always best.
Technology Surveys
For Students
For Teachers
- Non-specified Student Technology Survey
- Alabama State University Student Technology Survey - also in PDF (more for college students)
For Teachers
Selecting Websites, Apps, and Programs
One of the most difficult things to do is to select appropriate sites, apps and programs to use in class. Here are some sites with some things to keep in mind. There are always new ones being added.
- Criterios para seleccionar sitios de la Red
- Video using R.E.A.L. method for evaluating sites
- Video on 5 W's for evaluating sites
- YouTube for Foreign Language Use - ideas and criteria for selecting videos
iPads and other Tablets - Ideas
Since the arrival of the iPad, the way we do things as educators and as students has changed. From eTexts to websites and more - the iPad brings extreme flexibility to the classroom. One thing to be observed, is that the best thing about the iPad, is that for somethings, you don't need to use a computer, and it just makes many things more adaptable and accessible. Many of the previously mentioned tools and activities, can be completely developed on the iPad (unless Java is required - examples that don't have all their functionality include: Wordle and Weebly, for certain items).
What it does allow, both you and your students, is the flexibility to do most everything the computer can do.
Monitoring your activities created using the computer are easy and accessible.
Let's look at some ideas that are out there first:
The previous apps are for producing other types of activities or are involved in a stage of developing larger activities, below are some apps for learning languages (Spanish especially):
Apps for Learning/Practicing Spanish
What it does allow, both you and your students, is the flexibility to do most everything the computer can do.
Monitoring your activities created using the computer are easy and accessible.
Let's look at some ideas that are out there first:
- How the iPad Can Transform Classroom Learning
- Top 5 iPad Apps for Teaching Across all Content Areas
- Creating Engaging Presentations with Free iPad Apps
- 62 Ideas for Using the iPad in the Classroom - Not all are necessarily language related, but sift through to see what might be useful!
- The 55 Best Free Education Apps for iPad
The previous apps are for producing other types of activities or are involved in a stage of developing larger activities, below are some apps for learning languages (Spanish especially):
Apps for Learning/Practicing Spanish
- Guide to Best Free Language Learning Websites and Apps
- 40 Coolest iPad Apps for Language Learning - not all are for learning Spanish - some are for iPads only others for SmartPhones only - some will work on both!
- Aplicaciones para aprender el español
- iPads y educación
- 13 aplicaciones para iPad
- iPads in the Classroom
- Promise and Problems of iPads in the Classroom
- Increasing use of iPads in Language Classroom
- 7 Outstanding Language Learning Apps
SmartPhones - Ideas
Of course, with the popularity of iPhones, Droids, and other SmartPhones, the tools and apps available there are possibilities now that literally bring learning to the students hand, or pocket, bag, or backpack. Some of the apps that are on most devices can be used to engage students.
Other Technology Resources
There are so many possibilities of technology use that is it difficult to cover them all. Here are some items that might help you. If you have something to share, let us know so we can help find it.