Virtual Classrooms

The computer and the website are not only used as a technical device to create a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), they offer additional opportunities to learn what the target language sounds like, feels like to use, and means through the teacher and students communication about the interactions with the computer and the website. Meskil (2005) refers to this learning strategy as triadic

3a-3a). IEEE. Zhang, D., Zhao, J. L., Zhou, L., & Nunamaker Jr, J. F. (2004). Can e-learning replace classroom learning?. Communications of the ACM, 47(5), 75-79.

It is no more pertinent than today to acknowledge that students live in a technology driven world where information and communication technologies are integrated into everyday situations (QSA, 2007). Prensky, 2001 suggests that it is now clear that as a result of the abundant technological environment and students’ substantial level of interaction with it, that today’s students think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors. With this in mind, it is crucial that as a future educator, I bring to the classroom new and innovative ways of teaching and learning in order to motivate and interest these ‘digital natives’ (Halat, 2008). Blummer (2006) proposes that WebQuests in partnership with teachers can facilitate the development of information literacy skills among students. This is due to the interactive nature in which information is presented to students through a WebQuest, which appeals to students style of learning (Blummer 2006).

Educational Software is described as the computer software which aims teaching and includes digital teaching material or materials by creating a self-learning environment. There are several researches determined the positive effects of implementing technology for educational purposes (AlAmmary , 2012 ; Kulik & Kulik, 1991; Protheroe , 2005; Schacter,1999; Wenglinsky, 2005). According the findings of a study in which investigated both students and teachers who have computers at home and school conducted by Dwyer, Ringstaff & Haymore (1994), using computers synchronously with the educational process gains abilities to the students in means of exploring information, having social awareness, possessing self-confidence, applying communication ski... ... middle of paper ... ...pendence and connection, that affects their self-efficacy and academic success (p.7). Dwyer, D. C., Ringstaff, C., & Haymore, J. (1994).

New Economy, 11(4), p.224-228. Available at: http://www.tlrp.org/findings/Schools%20Findings/Schools%20Findings.html. Sampson, D. & Karagiannidis, C., 2002. Personalised Learning: Educational, Technological and Standardization Perspective. Interactive Educational Multimedia, 4(4), p.24-39.

Electronically enhanced classroom interaction. Austrailian Journal of Educational Technology, 13-23. Earl, L. (2003). Assessment as learning: Using classroom assessment to maximize student learning. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.

After researching multiple educational articles on technology, most seem to stress the importance of using a variety of strategies in the classroom. Teachers who integrate technology by using the same methods and activities will eventually see student engagement. As new technology is developed, even more choices can be offered. Currently, some of the best and most widely used strategies include: presentation tools, clickers, technology- based educational games, technology-based performance assessments, computer simulations, teacher websites, blogs, streaming video, wikis, etc. (Salend, 2009, pp.

Part One: Engaging Students with Technology Today’s students have very different needs than those of previous generations (Prensky, 2001). Growing up in a digital world has redefined the way students learn, and therefore, how they must be taught. I have experienced firsthand that these digital learners do not wish to sit back and passively consume information. They want to multitask, interacting with multiple streams of information in a range of forms. They wish to collaborate and network with others, sharing information and building on one another’s contributions (Prensky, 2007).

We are so technologically centered that it makes sense to transfer this pastime to school, right? Online learning: the wave of the future? Many say yes as students from kindergarten to the graduate level continue to participate in communication via the Internet. They range from small projects to entire online courses and degree programs. In the college classroom, the Internet has taken on a sort of “replacement” role to the traditional classroom set up, while in the secondary classroom, teachers are finding ways to incorporate the Internet, namely listservs and discussion groups to supplement the time spent in the actual classroom.

When asked about a good example of the use of technology in education, Cator discusses Mooresville Graded School District in Mooresville, North Carolina, which use laptops and interactive whiteboards in education. Cator also addresses the importance of student engagement in education, online courses, and the use of digital media devices in classrooms.