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Adventures in Ed Tech with an ESL twist

Update:

I've been working with several local adult education agencies. I was hired to teach basic "digital literacy" to adult learners, both GED and ESL classes. I am learning that it's not enough to just know how a computer works or how to access the internet. I need to make the material accessible and understandable for all the students, no matter their literacy level and English-speaking skill. Although I will admit that the English-speaking skill is more of a barrier.

I sometimes have a translator, and some students bring their tutor to class to help them learn the "technology jargon." But most of the time, I have to come up with concrete explanations for words like "Malicious software" or "Malware." It's a challenge to describe "malicious" to someone who thinks that word sounds like "delicious."

I am enjoying the journey. I rejoice in each small step. This last week my 6 ESL ladies each sent their first email to me or the Spanish-language translator. They even attached a web address of an interesting article for us to read.

With January will come the switch in the GED test to an online version. Now for those students, computer skills will become more a tool than a game or social network machine. I expect a bit of a bumpy transition--especially for those who don't have the 25 wpm minimum skill.

Stay tuned for more adventures...

One App that we love is Duolingo. The adult learners can use Spanish to English or Italian to English. or even translate English into their native languages. Check it out!

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 10, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    Amazing how simple it to communicate with people and have them understand a certain topic adventures in Ed Tech with an ESL twist, you made my day.

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    ReplyDelete

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