Pre-Service Teachers/MA Students at University of Gdańsk, Poland, Review Books on Using ICT in Language Teaching (1)
collected by Hanna Kryszewska, Poland
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Blended Learning. Using technology in and beyond the language classroom by Pete Sharma & Barney Barrett
Computer games and language aims by Kyle Mawer and Graham Stanley
„how to... teach english with technology” by Gavin Dudeney and Nicky Hockly
„Language Learning with Technology” by Graham Stanley
Blended Learning. Using technology in and beyond the language classroom published by Macmillan Publishers Limited is a great tool for teachers who want to enrich their lesson by using technology in the classroom. The book is divided into nine chapters on different topics. Each chapter discusses the subject matter thoroughly, offering not only explanations but also examples of materials, as well as ideas to carry out during the lesson.
One of the main advantages of this book is the fact that it can be used both by the teachers who are already acquainted with Information Technology and the beginners who only begin to explore the possibilities of the new tools. Additionally, the handbook provides explanations supported by illustrations which exemplify the usage of IT. More importantly, it covers the topics which are relatively new in the field of blended learning, such as creating your own Wikis and Podcasts.
All in all, I think it is a great source of information which can be useful to teachers who want to make their lessons more diverse and up to date.
Paulina Kamut
Since the usage of technology is getting more and more important in contemporary life, Sharma and Barrett's book may serve as a guide for teachers who want to use technology in their classrooms. The book consists of nine chapters, each dealing with a different issue.
What we really appreciate about the book is its clear division and simple presentation of various topics such as how to use interactive whiteboards or electronic dictionaries with our students. We like the fact that each chapter may be treated as a seperate text, which allows us to pay our attention only to those parts of the book that we are interested in and it saves our time. What is more, if a reader is not confident enough to create his/her own materials, s/he can follow the examples provided by the authors.
Although the authors claim that the book is for both experienced as well as inexperienced teachers, we believe that some of the information included seem too obvious for people who use technology every day.
Monika Saramak and Ewelina Pawłowska
Blended Learning is an ideal companion suited both to newer and experienced teachers interested in the use of technology in the language classroom as it contains the basic information for the technological novice as well as some more sophisticated solutions. The book offers practical pieces of advice and suggestions of using technology for enhancing and supporting students' language learning. Sharma and Barrett also examine the implications of the introduction of technology for language teaching methodology in general, providing a critical examination of current technology. Each chapter presents an overview of a specific concept, sample lesson plans related to the particular concept and some case studies. Besides, there are numerous functional handouts at the end of the book and the index of essential terms used throughout the book.
The innovative ideas presented in the book are of special value for developing your teaching repertoire, practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Thanks to this book you may discover new and innovative ways of implementing technology into your curriculum.
Maria Trusiło and Jagoda Nowaczyk
Playful title which definitely catches one’s attention is just a taste of what the readers might except from this book. The guide is divided into three parts, each concerning particular aspect of using the Information Technology. The first one is devoted to terminology and features the glossary of useful terms. What is more, it includes lists of websites with games suitable for teaching English. The second part deals with digital games and fun activities that may be conducted in the classroom by using IT. Step by step instructions are followed by examples that will make the teacher’s life easier. Last but not least, the third part discusses numerous ways of incorporating digital teaching within the school system and the syllabus.
What I really like about this handbook is the division of the chapters. Each one is equipped with clear instructions, technical requirements and examples, making it very easy for the teacher to prepare for the lesson.
Nevertheless, the biggest drawback of this book is the fact that it only covers elementary concerns, therefore teachers who are already experienced in the field of IT, may not benefit from using it.
All things considered Computer games and language aims is an excellent source of information regarding digital play. However, it is addressed to the teachers who just begin to discover the opportunities of using computer games in language teaching.
Paulina Kamut
„how to... teach english with technology” Gavin Dudeney and Nicky Hockly, published by PEARSON Longmann in 2007 is a guidebook for teachers who want to enrich their lesson with information technology. The publisher promises to inform teachers about work on projects with the use of Internet; instructs how to use blogs, wikis and podcasts; and helps to produce their own Internet materials. The book contains almost two hundred pages and includes a CD-ROM, in which there are voices of real teachers of different nationalities speaking about their experiences with using IT in the classroom.
In our opinion it is really useful that the book is divided into twelve chapters, which is very practical and helps us to comfortably find the desired parts. Our attention was especially drawn to the seventh chapter about blogs, wikis and podcasts. This quite new piece of material is perfectly presented and explained. It contains pictures exemplifying usage of the IT issue.
What is more, this book is a great handbook not only for teachers who are already acquainted with Information Technology, but also for beginners, who take their first steps in this field. This guide is equipped with careful explanations of particular issues, concerning both the state-of-the-art points and the basic ones.
Nevertheless, sometimes too much attention is paid to elementary concerns, which most teachers are probably already familiar with. For this reason, it is difficult to find specific type of information and before we move to pictures we need to go through a lot of text and explanations.
All in all, the book is an excellent source of information filled with pictures, which diversify the plain text. However the book contains too much general information, it is very useful for all teachers.
Aleksandra Patek and Aleksandra Wojna
"How to Teach English with Technology" written by Gavin Dudeney and Nicky Hockly is created for teachers but also for those who do not work at school. The aim of this book is to build teachers' confidence, knowledge and classroom abilities but also to inspire them to use new things, ideas in teaching. The book is organised into 12 chapters and describes topics such as: using websites, using email and chats. Each chapter includes some suggestions for classroom activities and concludes with a summary. Moreover, the book gives guidance according to online teaching, training, and producing electronic materials. At the end of the book there is also a very helpful glossary in which one may find the most important definitions connected with technology. In addition, the book has a CD-Rom. To sum up, this book is a practical quide for teachers who wish to use new technology in the classroom.
Marta Grzenkowicz & Magdalena Grenda
The book is divided into twelve chapters. The book seems out of date, because it has chapters like 'How to use email' or 'How to use websites', skills which probably most of nowadays people posses (maybe except for elderly people so this book can be used now as a source to teach them basics). However, there are also chapters which can be useful for contemporary teachers, for example 'Producing electronic materials' or 'e-learning: online teaching and training', because they show in a simple how to enrich one's teaching workshop.
With the book, there is a CD-ROM provided, together with a 'Task File' in which the activities for the chapters are given. Additionaly, the author included 'Glossary' that explains basic terms used in the book.
Nevertheless, the book is a great theoretical resource for anyone who wants to implement Information Technology in the classroom. What is more, if anyone lacks the basic knowledge of using new technologies, this is a great book to start with.
Patrycja Warecka and Piotr Szmigiel
„Language Learning with Technology” by Graham Stanley, published by Cambridge in 2013 is a handbook for language teachers who want to use technology in their classrooms. The book is divided into chapters connected with particular language learning skills.
What is especially useful, there are ready lesson plans together with variations on them. They are equipped with technical requirements, main goals and all details necessary for a preparation. The whole book is based on examples, which makes in easier to work with and modify for particular purposes. Pictures exeplify raised issues and are a prominent part of the book.
On the other hand, using the book may be found especially difficult by those teachers, who have little experience in teaching language with the use of IT. Introductions which can be found in particular chapters are not enough to cover the issue for not yet trained teachers.
All in all, the book is a great source of information for experienced teachers. Generous amount of examples enables them to implement new points to their own lessons. Although less experienced teachers may find it too difficult to use, because there is no sufficient explanation of particular issues.
Aleksandra Patek and Aleksandra Wojna
Language Learning in Technology is a handbook for language teachers who want to incorporate the use of IT to their lessons. The book begins with a short introduction where the author presents the teacher with a wide range of learning technologies to be used for activities in the classroom. He also gives reasons as to why using them is beneficial to the students, as well as teachers. The book's chapters are concerned with various language skills, andf thus a teacher can find activities for different areas of language learning, such as vocabulary, grammar, listening, project work, assesment and evaluation. One of the many strengths of this handbook is the fact that it includes activities for students on different levels (ranging from beginner to advanced). Also, for each activity, the author lists its main goals, level, time, learning focus, as well as a type of preparation, and technical requirements. These information are crucial for the teacher while creating his/her lesson. It is a great book that really makes using mobile technologies and social networking in the classroom easier.
Maria Trusiło and Jagoda Nowaczyk
Please check the Practical Uses of Technology in the Classroom course at Pilgrims website.
Please check the Methodology & Language for Secondary Teachers course at Pilgrims website.
Please check the Teaching Advanced Students course at Pilgrims website.
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