Using the Internet in teaching literacy skills

Dr. James Kohn, Professor EmeritusSan Francisco State University

Many uses of the computer in language teaching

A. As a storehouse of teaching material: folders and files for language lessons

B.As a projection system for classroom teachingC. As a communication medium to contact

students and colleagues, e.g., e-mail, texting, and file sharing

D. As an information source for fact-gathering and fact-checking

E. As a source for authentic language, both in writing and speaking

F. As an extension of classroom teaching

Using e-mail to contact students

1. Setting up an e-mail distribution list

2. Including attached files for students

3. Encouraging student-to-student interaction4. Responding to student inquiries

Finding information on the Internet1. Using search engines

2. Using library resources

4.Web quest assignments

3. Using teacher-supplied websites

Let’s practice!

Instructions; With your group, choose three keywords for use in a search, on one of the following topics:a)Global warming and pollutionb)Inequality of income distributionc) Health services for people in rural

communitiesd)New opportunities for employmente)You choose the topic!

Evaluating web sites Criteria questions: Give 6 points Give 4 points Give 0 points

1. Is the information accurate?

Yes, I’ve read it and it seems accurate to me.

Probably but not sure maybe not

2. Is the information relevant?

Yes, the answer to my research question is here

It’s relevant to the topic but does not answer my question

No, this site does not answer my research question.

3. Is the information balanced?

balances points with contrary views

presents facts with little analysis or criticism

Biased, meaning to sell or persuade, or presented as a joke

4. What about the author?

trusted authority Seems ok but can’t really tell

private individual, could be anyone

5. Can you contact the

author or institution?

name and contact given with link to home page

Name or institution given, but no contact

no contact info, no link to home page

Evaluating websites, continued

6. Who publishes the site?

Trusted institution, links back to home page

some kind of institution, looks real but not sure

a private individual

7. Domain name?

edu org or net or gov Com or co Or can’t tell

8. Is a date given?

Yes, and up-to date Yes but out-of-date doesn’t say

9. Readability? easy to read hard to read Impossible for ESL students to read

10. Presentation clear expression, no mistakes

one or two typos grammatical errors and misspellings

11. Are the graphics helpful?

helpful illustrations, fast loading

illustrations distract or hard to download

no graphics

12. Is the information referenced?

many references and links

few references and links

no references

13. Navigation? easy to browse and find information

Info is there, but not easy to find

no navigation aids

14. Ads and pop-ups?

No commercials, ads or pop-ups

Some, but not distracting

too many, too commercial

15. A free site? All free Some free stuff, some you pay for

Pay, subscribe, or only get a free trial

Bonus points? (up to 5) State reason:

Criteria 6 points 4 points 0 points

Making instructional web pages

1. School-generated shell programs, e.g. Ilearn

2. Social networking programs, e.g., Facebook

3. Teacher-designed instructional web sites

Planning for interaction on the website1. Online bulletin boards

2. Comment lines on webpages3. Online file sharing for commentary, cooperation

4. Skype an the Voice over Internet protocols.

Using audio and video files

1. Making audio files: it’s easy with your cellphone

2. Using a digital recorder for audio files

3. Up-loading audio files to e-mail or websites

Using videos and making your own videos

1. Finding videos on-line

2. Editing videos for use in the classroom

3. Recording videos of your students

Let’s try it!

Instructions:1. With your group, write a short skit about one of these

situations:a) Making an appointment to talk with your teacherb) Returning a purchase to a department storec) Asking a classmate for help with an assignmentd) Asking stranger for directions in a foreign city.

Your skit should be no longer than ten lines of dialogue.

2. When your group is ready, you will perform the skit in front of our class. The skit will be recorded on video, and then uploaded to a website for everyone to see.