Paul and Everyone:

 

There is another very important reason why many instructors don't use
computers as an instructional tool, and that is lack of technology in
the classrooms and a deficit of labs and software on the campuses.  From
what I am seeing now, this problem is not going to be remedied quickly
because of budgetary constraints.  Administrators and policymakers need
to find some way to provide more resources because technological
advances are not going to slow down just because our classes can't keep
up.  Linked to capacity is resources for proper professional
development.  

 

Let's not put all of the blame on the individual instructors.  We need
to shout to those who control the resources that improved education
requires, in part, more resources for high-tech tools.

 

Allan

 

 

 

Allan D. French

 

ESL Instructor and Assessment Coordinator

Basic & Transitional Studies Division

South Seattle Community College

206-768-6836

afrench at sccd.ctc.edu

 

 

 

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Paul Rogers
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 7:39 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 5058] importance of technology

 

Computer based instruction helps students learn English faster and
should increase interest in class and probably also should increase
retention bu decreasing the drop out rate.

But at a CATESOL conference that I attended over the week-end, I foud
out that a lot of teachers are still not using computer based learning
in their classes. There are a few reasons for this: 

1. fear and trepidation

2. lack of information and knowledge

3. miscellaneus

The only thing I can say about point #1 is, to paraphrase someone I met,
it is a good thing to put the shoe on the other foot.

Point #2 could be remedied by setting up a clearing house.

Miscellaneus is a little tricky.

As part of using technology, I also recommend that everyone consider
methods of providing students and families with low cost or free
computers. Some cities are even providing free internet access to low
income households (San Francisco, I think).

As they used to say in the old days: "The future is now."

Paul Rogers
805-258-3310
pumarosa21 at yahoo.com
PUMAROSA.COM

 

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