CHAPTER 1: BLENDED LEARNING

INTRODUCTION

It refers to a class in which we mix cybernetic material with the ordinary one.
This technology includes internet sites, blogs, wikis, e-mail and stuff like that.
Learners are able to work with technology, this is a little bit more interesting
than being working in the classroom, but by mixing the two techniques we will
be more interested.

USING TECHNOLOGY IN LANGUAGE TEACHING

Using technology in classroom may be more interesting and motivating, by

exercises on web and language tools on internet. We would have more variety
in classes and students can learn better by doing exercises in which they are
working with interactive exercises.

Computers set a network between students and teachers, and this is an

opportunity to keep the communication which is separated by the time and
distance. In this way, students can access to their information in class, at home
or wherever they are. They expect from schools to have good opportunities to
use technology at class.

When we are using technology at language classes, students tent to be

interested, and linked with this, they can get to work outside the school. This
occurs because classes are more interesting with interactive programs.

We have to take in account that maybe there lots of differences between using
technology and being in the classroom because we have to focus on four
aspects: reading, writing, speaking and listening. For improve reading there are
lot of information on websites to read, this is the easiest one. Writing is the most
common, because if students have to do some homework they send it to
teachers via e-mail, or maybe the can post comments on blogs. Speaking is not
very common when using technology, but we are able to do exercises that have
to do with pronunciation. And for listening e have videos, audio and stuff like
that which is very useful to learn better.
FACTORSUNFLUENCING THE UPTAKEOF BLENDED LEARNING

Some of the most common factors that influence more are things like costs,
how much the student is related with technology and the type of technology
which is being used.

When we talk about the type, it is referred to the level of technology we are
using, maybe the student does not know much about it and it would be difficult
to understand and work. The costs are things more superficial but it also
influences in the performance of the student. The relation with technology is the
most important, and it mostly has to do with likes and dislikes, if the student
does not like work with technology, although they want to improve, it will
interfere in the process of learning.

BALANCING TRADITIONALAPPROACHES AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Separate the role of the teacher and the role of the technology

It is not about comparing the teacher with the computer, it´s about see what
they can do and the differences among them. The role of teachers is to value
the student´s assignments and give them some feedback about what they can
improve. Using technology is just a tool to see other kind of processes, activities
and options to work.

2. Teach in a principled way

Teachers have to be sure about their role, the thing is to focus on the idea that
technology is a tool to reinforce the pedagogic skills that they are used to apply.

3. Use technology to complement and enhance F2F teaching

Here students use technology to complement their studies. If language is being

learned at class, they would find lots of information on websites that can be
helpful to reinforce skills. The material that is online will be more used.

4. It is not so much the program, more what you do with it (Jones,

1986)
Technology has to be used in a way that promotes communication between
learners and the teacher.